GPs’ correct responses to items on the knowledge of autism scale, n = 304
| Item | Answer (true/false) | GPs giving correct response, n (%) |
|---|---|---|
| An autism diagnosis cannot be made before a child is 3 years of age | False | 165 (54.3) |
| A child failing to respond to their name when called can be an early sign of autism | True | 196 (64.5) |
| A lack of eye contact is necessary for a person to receive a diagnosis of autism | False | 288 (94.7) |
| Research has shown that the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine is not a direct cause of autism | True | 298 (98.0) |
| Autism is caused by a lack of bonding between mother and child | False | 300 (98.7) |
| Autism is a rare condition, affecting only 15 per 10 000 individuals in the UK | False | 260 (85.5) |
| Autism cannot be diagnosed in adulthood | False | 298 (98.0) |
| The behaviours characteristic of autism are usually mild and transient, so specific intervention is not usually required | False | 296 (97.4) |
| The prevalence of autism is greater in children than in adults | False | 220 (72.4) |
| Younger siblings of children with autism have a higher probability (approximately 20%) of being diagnosed with autism | True | 260 (85.5) |
| Most people with autism also have intellectual disabilities | False | 204 (67.1) |
| Females are less likely to be diagnosed with autism than males | True | 254 (83.6) |
| People with autism feel no empathy or affection | False | 275 (90.5) |
| Children with autism can be interested in social interaction | True | 280 (92.1) |
| More than half of people diagnosed with autism do not talk | False | 285 (93.8) |
| Children with autism can show unusual reactions to certain smells and sounds | True | 299 (98.4) |
| Additional mental health conditions (for example, anxiety, depression) are more prevalent in individuals diagnosed with autism than in the general population | True | 287 (94.4) |
| Most children with autism eventually outgrow autism | False | 294 (96.7) |
| Independent living is not possible for people with autism | False | 297 (97.7) |
| The behaviours in autism can only be managed with medication | False | 300 (98.7) |
| People with autism always display challenging behaviours | False | 288 (94.7) |
| Children with autism tend to learn better when things are presented in a visual format | True | 251 (82.6) |