Analyzing the Attitudes and Knowledge of Pre-health Students about Autism

Presenter

Zoya Ragini Malik

Campus

UMass Amherst

Sponsor

Ashley Woodman, Department of Psychology, UMass Amherst

Schedule

Session 5, 3:30 PM - 4:15 PM [Schedule by Time][Poster Grid for Time/Location]

Location

Poster Board A41, Campus Center Auditorium, Row 3 (A41-A60) [Poster Location Map]

Abstract

While disability education for healthcare professionals has improved in recent years, autistic individuals still lack healthcare equality. Previous research shows there is a large gap in disability education, with even those healthcare professionals with a strong understanding of the characteristics of autism having inadequate skills to treat autistic patients. The purpose of the present study is to analyze the attitudes of pre-health students towards autism and determine if there is a relationship between previous personal or professional experiences and attitudes. This study aims to provide insight to improve graduate-level healthcare education to reflect current models of disability and neurodiversity and better prepare healthcare professionals to support autistic patients. An online survey will be conducted to collect data about knowledge, attitudes, and previous personal and work experiences with autistic people from around 70 students at a large, public university in the Northeast. Predicted outcomes include a range of personal experiences, attitudes, and knowledge levels of autism from pre-health students. Furthermore, individuals having personal experiences with autistic people are predicted to have more knowledge and more positive attitudes towards autism. Pre-health students are also predicted to expect thorough disability education in graduate school training. This research will provide insight into how pre-health education can be adjusted to reflect current models of disability and better prepare future medical students to support disabled individuals. Results of this research can be used to better educate pre-health students on autism to provide specialized care that is widespread throughout the healthcare industry.

Keywords

Autism, Disability, Pre-health, Medicine, Autism awareness

Research Area

Disability Studies

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