College Disability Service Office Staff Members’ Autism Attitudes and Knowledge

Abstract

Disability support office (DSO) staff are responsible for providing appropriate support for an increasing population of autistic undergraduate students. A total of 153 DSO staff members in higher education institutions in the United States completed an online survey on their autism attitudes and knowledge, previous contact with autistic people, and demographic characteristics. Multiple regressions were conducted to investigate which variables uniquely predict their attitudes and knowledge. Quality of contact and education level predicted openness toward autism. Quality and quantity of contact, knowledge, and public versus private status of institutions predicted social distance toward autistic individuals. Finally, quality of contact, school size, and average annual cost predicted their knowledge. The underlying mechanisms between institutional variables and autism attitudes and knowledge need to be explored. Understanding what kinds of institutional supports and context-appropriate training should be provided to promote collaborative relationships between DSO staff and autistic students is a promising avenue for future studies.