Māori and autism: A scoping review

Area of Science:

• Neurodevelopmental Disorders
• Cultural Psychiatry
• Indigenous Health

Background:

• Current autism research predominantly reflects Western perspectives.
• Diverse cultural interpretations of autism exist globally.
• Māori, the indigenous people of Aotearoa/New Zealand, possess unique cultural understandings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore Māori perspectives on autism.
• To investigate autism prevalence among Māori.
• To assess the cultural appropriateness of existing diagnostic and support services for Māori with autism.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search across websites, academic journals, and other sources.
• Identification and analysis of 13 relevant publications.
• Synthesis of findings on Māori understandings, prevalence, and service provision.

Main Results:

• Significant differences identified between Māori and Western understandings of autism.
• Slightly higher autism prevalence rates observed in Māori compared to non-Māori New Zealanders.
• Existing services often lack cultural relevance and effectiveness for Māori.

Conclusions:

• Western models of autism may not fully encompass Māori experiences.
• There is a critical need for culturally responsive diagnostic tools and support systems for Māori with autism.
• Future research should prioritize indigenous-informed approaches to autism in Aotearoa/New Zealand.