Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder diagnosed in childhood and defined by deficits in social functioning, repetitive behaviours, and restricted interests. In recent years, an increase in diagnoses has resulted in more students with ASD enrolling in post-secondary institutions. Despite this increasing number, students with ASD are less likely to complete their program of study, due to the social stigmas surrounding autism (Kitchin & Karlin, 2021).
These stigmas can prevent students from ASD from socializing with neurotypical peers and engaging in campus activities. Therefore, Kitchin and Karlin (2021) endeavoured to decrease social stigma against individuals with ASD by providing psychoeducation about autism etiology, diagnosis, and treatment to college students.
Results indicated that education about autism decreased stigma endorsement, and that having strong contact with a person with ASD most strongly correlated with lower stigma expression and was associated with greater amounts of ASD knowledge. Thus, it appears the increase social contact between autistic and neurotypical students is critical to decreasing stigma against autism. Researchers proposed that by decreasing stigma, there will be a greater rate of program completion for students with ASD.
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