Objectives: The aims of this study were: 1. to examine parental perception of the causes of ASDs with an emphasis on genetic factors 2. to identify factors associated with parental perception of the contribution of genetics as a cause of ASDs, and factors associated with the appropriate perception of multi-factorial inheritance of ASDs.
Methods: The study population consists of parents with at least one child diagnosed with ASD recruited from the Child Development Clinic and the Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinic at
Results: Participants included 252 parents of children with ASDs. When questioned regarding the cause with more than one response possible, 44.0% (111/252) of respondents cited genetics as a cause, 62.7% (158/252) reported other factors such as maternal stress and toxic substance exposure during pregnancy, child rearing, etc. Of those who cited genetics as a cause, 78.4% (87/111) had the perception of a multi-factorial concept defined as persons who have genes associated with autism but whether or not ASDs is apparent also depends on environmental factors. According to multivariate analysis, positive family history of ASDs and of speech delay, recurrence risk perception, and knowledge of allergic rhinitis (AR) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as genetic diseases were associated with parental perception of genetics as underlying causes of ASDs. Multivariate analysis also revealed that associated factors with appropriate parental perception of multi-factorial inheritance concept of ASDs were positive family history of ASDs, describing correct definition of ASDs, recurrence risk perception, and having knowledge of AR and ADHD as genetic diseases.
Conclusions: Most of parents cited one or more causes to explain ASDs in their child. Less than half of Thai parents cited genetics as a cause of ASDs. For parents who cited genetics, there is tendency for them to have appropriate perception of multi-factorial concept of ASDs.