PERCEPTION OF AUTISM BASED ON AGE AND EXPOSURE

The Link between Age and the Frequency of Interactions with Children with Autism Spectrum

Disorder, and Perceptions of these Children

Matthew Laxer

Freehold High School

The Link between Age and the Frequency of Interactions with Children with Autism Spectrum

Disorder, and Perceptions of these Children

PERCEPTION OF AUTISM BASED ON AGE AND EXPOSURE
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Introduction

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder marked by the

existence of disability in communication and sociality as well as behaviors that the individual

recurs frequently, which demonstrates itself within 4 years of the individuals life (American

Psychiatric Association, 2013). According to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention (CDC, 2014), ASD occurs in approximately 1 in 68 children. Boys are five times

more likely than girls to have ASD, and the disorder is more likely to be diagnosed in White

children, compared to Black or Hispanic children (CDC, 2014).

Many studies have been performed on the ASD regarding on treatments and how to make

ASD less severe. However, there is a dearth of studies regarding perceptions of ASD and

children with the disorder. Therefore, more studies must be performed on how people perceive

this disorder in order to increase the awareness of the disorder due to its increasing emergence in

society.

Hypothesis

The null hypothesis is that perceptions of autism will not be more positive from younger

people and people who interact with children on the ASD frequently.

The alternate hypothesis is that perceptions of autism will be more positive from younger

people and people who interact with children on the ASD frequently.

Materials

Identification Questions (See Appendix A)

ASD Perceptions Scale (See Appendix A)

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Consent forms for Adults, Minors, and Online Respondents (See Appendixes C,

D, and E)

Methods

To find out peoples perceptions of autism a survey will be conducted using the survey

website www.esurveycreator.com, or by a the respondent receiving a paper copy of the survey.

(see Appendix A). The survey requires a sample size of at least 385 people to be effective at a

95% confidence interval with a 2.5% margin of error. This was found using the formula below,

where is known as the critical value, the positive z value that is at the vertical boundary

for the area of in the right tail of the standard normal distribution. is the

population standard deviation and n is the sample size.

With an expected response rate of around 80%, the survey will be distributed to 480 people. To

allow for maximized sample size response, the survey will begin to be distributed on November

15, 2016, and will remain open until February 28, 2017. The respondents will be asked to fill out

consent forms to participate in the survey, and minors must receive consent from a parent or

guardian to participate in the survey. (See Appendixes C, D, and E)

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The survey questions were adapted and modified from a prior study that involved the

perceptions of autism (Hansen 2015) (See Appendix A). The groups that the respondents will be

compiled into with respects to age are people ages 14-18 years of age, 19-24 years of age, 25-30

years of age, 31-50 years of age, or older than 51 years of age. These ages were chosen due to the

changing environment of the classroom over many years (Forrester 1993). Over many years,

autistic children has since been placed into separate classrooms that suit their needs or are

accompanied by a paraprofessional aide, whereas 50 years ago, children with ASD would be

placed in classrooms with children without the disorder. The questions identifying if the

respondent interacts or has interacted with a child will determine what experimental group the

respondent will be placed in. The questions in the ASD Perceptions section will be where the

perceptions of autism are analyzed. The questions comprised of 10 Likert-scale items where the

respondent will answer with a range of 1-Strongly Disagree to 5-Strongly Agree. A study by

Hansen (2015) provided the first eight questions to provide a baseline as to how knowledgeable

the respondent is to the topic of ASD in children. The final three questions are opinion based

questions that, depending on their responses, will lead to an analysis of how they perceive

autistic children live. The score of only the last 3 questions will be totaled. A score of 3-6 will

represent a negative perception of autism, because these answers portray the perception that

children with ASD should not be treated like normal children. A score of 7-11 will indicate a

neutral perception of children with ASD, and a score of 12-15 will indicate a positive perception

of ASD in children because these answers portray the perception that children with ASD should

be treated like normal children.

Cronbachs alpha will be used to test the relevance of the survey questions. It is

represented by the equation below:

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where N is equal to the number of items, c-bar is the average inter-item covariance among the

items and v-bar equals the average variance.

Works Cited

Autism Spectrum Disorder Fact Sheet. (n.d.). Retrieved October 28, 2016, from

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/autism/detail_autism.htm

Allhusen, V., Belsky, J., Booth-Laforce, C. L., Bradley, R., Brownwell, C. A., Burchinal, M., . . .

Weinraub, M. (2004). Does Class Size in First Grade Relate to Children's Academic and
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Social Performance or Observed Classroom Processes? Developmental Psychology,

40(5), 651-664. doi:10.1037/0012-1649.40.5.651

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders

(5th ed.). Arlington, VA: Author.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2014). Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder

Among Children Aged 8 YearsAutism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring

Network, 11 sites, United States. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 63, 1-21.

Diener, M. L., Anderson, L., Wright, C. A., & Dunn, M. L. (2014). Sibling Relationships of

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Context of Everyday Life and a Strength-

Based Program. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 24(4), 1060-1072.

doi:10.1007/s10826-014-9915-6

Forrester, J. W. (1993). System Dynamics and the Lessons of 35 Years. A Systems-Based

Approach to Policymaking, 199-240. doi:10.1007/978-1-4615-3226-2_7

Gray, D. E. (1993). Perceptions of stigma: The parents of autistic children. Sociology of Health

and Illness, 15(1), 102-120. doi:10.1111/1467-9566.ep11343802

Hansen, L. K. (2015, December 11). DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF A SURVEY OF

KNOWLEDGE OF ... Retrieved October 27, 2016, from

http://aquila.usm.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1156&context=masters_theses

Kennett, J. (2002). Autism, Empathy and Moral Agency. The Philosophical Quarterly, 52(208),

340-357. doi:10.1111/1467-9213.00272

Mano, E. (2015). Parents of autistic children and social support. Proceedings of The 3rd Virtual

Multidisciplinary Conference. doi:10.18638/quaesti.2015.3.1.224

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Neely-Barnes, S. L., Hall, H. R., Roberts, R. J., & Graff, J. C. (2011). Parenting a Child With an

Autism Spectrum Disorder: Public Perceptions and Parental Conceptualizations

[Abstract]. Journal of Family Social Work, 14(3), 208-225.

doi:10.1080/10522158.2011.571539

Orsmond, G. I., Krauss, M. W., & Seltzer, M. M. (2004). Peer Relationships and Social and

Recreational Activities Among Adolescents and Adults with Autism. Journal of Autism

and Developmental Disorders, 34(3), 245-256. doi:10.1023/b:jadd.0000029547.96610.df

Roekel, E. V., Scholte, R. H., & Didden, R. (2009). Bullying Among Adolescents With Autism

Spectrum Disorders: Prevalence and Perception. J Autism Dev Disord Journal of Autism

and Developmental Disorders, 40(1), 63-73. doi:10.1007/s10803-009-0832-2

Welcome to the Institute for Digital Research and Education. (n.d.). Retrieved October 20, 2016,

from http://www.ats.ucla.edu/stat/spss/faq/alpha.html
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Appendix A

Identification Questions

1. How old are you?

2. What is your interaction with a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder?
a. I do not have interaction with a child with Autism Spectrum
Disorder
b. I am a parent with a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder
c. I have a sibling with Autism Spectrum Disorder
d. I volunteer with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
e. I have a friend or family member who is related to someone with
Autism Spectrum Disorder
f. I am a teachers aide in school for an autistic child
g. I am a teacher in a school.

Directions: Rate these statements as to to the degree of which you agree or disagree. If you
neither agree nor disagree indicate that with the appropriate option.

Strongly Disagree Neither Agree Agree Strongly

Disagree Nor Disagree Agree

I am 1 2 3 4 5
knowledgeable
about Autism
Spectrum
Disorder (ASD).

I understand how 1 2 3 4 5
ASD is
diagnosed.

I know what 1 2 3 4 5
kind of
symptoms
individuals with
ASD have.

I know what 1 2 3 4 5
happens to
people with ASD
as they age.
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I am 1 2 3 4 5
knowledgeable
about what
causes ASD.

I am aware of 1 2 3 4 5
treatment options
for children with
ASD.

I understand how 1 2 3 4 5
common ASD is
in the general
population.

I believe I would 1 2 3 4 5
know if I met a
person with
ASD.

Directions: The following are opinion questions, answer them as honestly as possible.

Children with 1 2 3 4 5
autism and those
without should
not be taught in
separate
classrooms.

Children with 1 2 3 4 5
autism should
not be treated
differently in a
social
environment
than other
children that do
not have autism.

Children with 1 2 3 4 5
autism should be
required to have
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a teachers aide
with them at all
times in schools
regardless of
severity.
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Appendix B
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Appendix C

The Link between Age and the Frequency of Interactions with Children with Autism Spectrum
Disorder, and Perceptions of these Children Consent Form for Parents/Guardians
Matthew Laxer
Marybeth Ruddy and Katherine Peterson
Freehold High School Medical Sciences Learning Center
(732)-395-3488
MatthewLaxer317@gmail.com
Your child is invited to take part in a research study of the link between age and frequency of
interaction with autistic children, and perceptions of these children.
This study is to determine if there is a link between age and frequency of interaction with
children with autism spectrum disorder, and perceptions of these children.

What your child will be asked to do: Your child will be asked to complete a survey consisting
of questions asking their age, frequency of interaction with autistic children, and they will be
ranking statements concerning autistic children in a social and work environment.

There are no anticipated risks to your child if he or she participates in this study, beyond those
encountered in everyday life.

Your consent and your childs participation in this study are completely voluntary. Your child can
withdraw from the study at any time without consequences of any kind, and you can withdraw
your consent at any time without consequences of any kind. Participating in this study does not
mean that you are or your child is giving up any legal rights.

The records of this study will be kept private, and individual data will only be accessible by the
researcher. Any report of this research that is made available to the public will not include your
childs name or any other individual information by which your child could be identified.

If you have questions or want a copy or summary of the study results, contact the researcher at
the email address or phone number above. If you have any questions about whether your child
has been treated in an illegal or unethical way, contact Matthew Laxer by using the information
above.

Statement of Consent: I have read the above information, and have received answers to any
questions. I consent to allow my child to take part in the research study

__________________________ __________________________ ___________

Parents/Guardians Signature Childs Name (Please Print) Date
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Appendix D

Standard Consent Form Template

The Link between Age and the Frequency of Interactions with Children with Autism Spectrum
Disorder, and Perceptions of these Children Consent Form

Matthew Laxer
Marybeth Ruddy and Katherine Peterson
Freehold High School Medical Sciences Learning Center
(732)-395-3488
MatthewLaxer317@gmail.com

You are invited to take part in a research study of the link between age and frequency of interaction with
autistic children, and perceptions of these children.

What the study is about: This study is to determine if there is a link between age and frequency of
interaction with children with autism spectrum disorder, and perceptions of these children.

What you will be asked to do: Your child will be asked to complete a survey consisting of
questions asking their age, frequency of interaction with autistic children, and they will be
ranking statements concerning autistic children in a social and work environment.

Risks and benefits: There are no anticipated risks to you if you participate in this study, beyond those
encountered in everyday life.

Taking part is voluntary: Taking part in this study is completely voluntary. If you choose to be in the
study you can withdraw at any time without consequences of any kind. Participating in this study does not
mean that you are giving up any of your legal rights.

Your answers will be confidential: The records of this study will be kept private. Any report of this
research that is made available to the public will not include your name or any other individual
information by which you could be identified.

If you have questions or want a copy or summary of the study results: Contact the researcher at the
email address or phone number above. You will be given a copy of this form to keep for your records. If
you have any questions about whether you have been treated in an illegal or unethical way, contact
________________.

Statement of Consent: I have read the above information, and have received answers to any questions. I
affirm that I am 18 years of age or older. I consent to take part in the research study of the link between
age and frequency of interaction with autistic children, and perceptions of these children.

________________________________ ________________
Participants Signature Date

Appendix E
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Matthew Laxer
Freehold High School Medical Sciences Learning Center
MatthewLaxer317@gmail.com

The Link between Age and the Frequency of Interactions with Children with Autism Spectrum
Disorder, and Perceptions of these Children
Online Consent Form
You are invited to take part in a research survey about of the link between age and frequency of
interaction with autistic children, and perceptions of these children. Your participation will
require approximately 5 to 10 minutes and is completed online at your computer. There are no
known risks or discomforts associated with this survey. Taking part in this study is completely
voluntary. If you choose to be in the study you can withdraw at any time without consequences
of any kind. Participating in this study does not mean that you are giving up any legal rights.
Your responses will be kept strictly confidential, and digital data will be stored in secure
computer files. Any report of this research that is made available to the public will not include
your name or any other individual information by which you could be identified. If you have
questions or want a copy or summary of this studys results, you can contact the researcher at the
email address above. If you have any questions about whether you have been treated in an illegal
or unethical way, contact ________________________. Please feel free to print a copy of this
consent page to keep for your records.

Clicking the Next button below indicates that you are 18 years of age or older, and indicates
your consent to participate in this survey.