Cultural Contexts and the Recognition of Autism: A Comparative Analysis of Asian and Western Diagnostic Frameworks

Presenter: Riya Yadav

Faculty Sponsor: Mary Andrianopoulos

School: UMass Amherst

Research Area: Public Health and Epidemiology

Session: Poster Session 4, 2:15 PM - 3:00 PM, Auditorium, A4

ABSTRACT

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition characterized by
persistent differences in social communication, restricted interests, and repetitive behaviors.
Although ASD is a lifelong condition with no known cure, functional presentation and support
needs vary widely across individuals (American Psychiatric Association, 2024). Diagnostic
identification is guided by criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5; American Psychiatric Association, 2023). While autism
transcends racial, cultural, and ethnic boundaries, its recognition and diagnosis are shaped not
only by clinical criteria and scientific evidence, but also by culturally embedded belief systems
that influence how developmental differences are interpreted.
This project examines how cultural frameworks in Asian and Western contexts shape beliefs
related to ASD, and how these beliefs influence early identification and access to early
intervention services. This study explores how diagnostic infrastructure, societal attitudes toward
disability, and culturally mediated interpretations of behavior affect help-seeking practices and
clinical validation of ASD. Research methodology includes a systematic review and comparative
literature analysis using the PRISMA framework of epidemiological data, public health reports,
and literature on cultural narratives and stigma over the past 10 years. The analysis further
investigate how stigma, family dynamics, and differing models of disability, such as biomedical
versus social or moral frameworks, mediate acceptance or dismissal of diagnostic findings. By
situating autism within broader sociocultural systems, this research highlights mechanisms that
contribute to cross-cultural diagnostic disparities and identifies pathways toward culturally
responsive early identification practices that promote more equitable developmental outcomes..