Understanding Autism through the Eyes of Nurses: a Cross-Sectional Study

Nurses are key to the early detection of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, gaps in the literature and misconceptions can delay care; evidence of this from Saudi Arabia is limited. This study was done to examine nurses' understanding of autism within the Saudi context, inform targeted educational programs, enhance clinical practice, and contribute to closing the persistent global gaps in nurses' knowledge of ASD.

In this study, we employed a cross-sectional online survey of 180 registered nurses to assess their ASD knowledge and beliefs with the aid of the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) based criteria and a modified Autism Survey. Moreover, we applied descriptive statistics, chi-square tests with Cramér's V, and Pearson's correlations.

Most nurses identified core characteristics, such as lack of eye contact (79.7%), social unresponsiveness (79.7%), and interaction difficulties (79.1%); fewer identified symptom onset before 36 months (53.8%). Misconceptions included "cold parenting" (33.7%), association with intellectual disability (26.7%), and belief that ASD can be outgrown (46.1%). The nurses' endorsement of intervention for speech therapy (96.7%), special education (94.5%), and parental counseling (87.6%) was the highest; no respondent identified the Applied Behavior Analysis. Correlations between demographics and recognition were weak; prior autism education modestly improved the recognition of unusual mannerisms (r = 0.155, p = 0.037).

Although the awareness of overt ASD traits is high, limited early onset knowledge, persistence, and evidence-based interventions warrant targeted and culturally informed training.