Can Cartoons Which Depict Autistic Characters Improve Attitudes Towards Autistic Peers?

Engel, Carla Simone; Sheppard, Elizabeth

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the efficacy of two cartoons which depict autistic characters in improving attitudes towards autistic peers in two separate studies. Forty-six children participated in study 1 (4–7 years), and 47 children participated in study 2 (8–11 years). Both the conative (behavioural) component of attitudes and knowledge about autism were measured before and after the cartoon interventions. Knowledge of autism increased after watching the cartoons in both studies but attitudes to autism only improved in study 1. Knowledge was shown to correlate with change in some but not all attitude measures. The findings suggest that cartoons can improve attitudes to autism, but this may depend on how information is presented.

Citation

Engel, C. S., & Sheppard, E. (2020). Can Cartoons Which Depict Autistic Characters Improve Attitudes Towards Autistic Peers?. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 50, 1007–1017. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-019-04318-0

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 21, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Dec 11, 2019
• Publication Date: 2020-03
• Deposit Date: Nov 27, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Dec 12, 2020
• Journal: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
• Print ISSN: 0162-3257
• Electronic ISSN: 1573-3432
• Publisher: Springer Verlag
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 50
• Pages: 1007–1017
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-019-04318-0
• Keywords: Developmental and Educational Psychology
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/3423656
• Publisher URL: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10803-019-04318-0
• Contract Date: Nov 27, 2019