Attitudes and Knowledge Regarding Autism in Israeli Society

This study examined societal attitudes and knowledge regarding autism within Israel's culturally and socioeconomically diverse population. A total of 2,377 respondents completed the Societal Attitudes Towards Autism (SATA) questionnaire, translated into Hebrew and Arabic. The survey examined the effect of socio-demographic variables, including gender, age, education, income, ethnicity, and familiarity with autism or knowledge about and attitudes towards autism. Overall, respondents demonstrated positive attitudes (M = 69.5%) and relatively high levels of knowledge (M = 64.6%) about autism. Most respondents reported positive (56%) or very positive (35%) attitudes towards autism, and 91% of the participants expressed openness and acceptance towards autistic individuals. A substantial proportion of the respondents reported a high (56%) or very high (24%) level of knowledge about autism, suggesting that 80% the Israeli public is relatively well-informed. Women, midlife (30s to 50s) adults, respondents with higher education and high income, and respondents who were acquainted with an autistic individual reported more positive attitudes and had significantly greater knowledge about autism. Levels of autism acceptance and knowledge varied across ethnic groups, with Jewish respondents reporting more positive attitudes and greater autism-related knowledge than Muslim, Druze, and Christian respondents. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that the level of knowledge was the strongest and most consistent predictor of positive attitudes. The findings underscore the importance of educational, socioeconomic, and cultural influences on public perceptions of autism. Promoting autism acceptance in multicultural societies such as Israel requires knowledge-based and culturally responsive educational programs, alongside opportunities for meaningful social contact between autistic and non-autistic individuals.