Autism : student perspectives

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine how accurately students in Ball State’s Special Education Department could identify the characteristics and causes of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) compared to students in other departments at Ball State University. This study consisted of a convenience sample of Ball State University students who were at least 18 years of age. There were ten students who completed the survey for this study. Thirty percent of participants were pursuing a major, minor, graduate degree, or certificate in the Special Education Department. Seventy percent of participants were pursuing degrees or certificates in other departments. Out of twenty-one items on the survey, participants in the Special Education Department showed a higher percentage of accurate responses for nine items and a lower percentage of accurate responses for ten items compared to participants in other departments. Percentage of accurate responses for both groups were equal for two items. Although these findings are concerning, more research needs to be done to address the limitations of the present study. Honors College