Table 2 Comparison Of Physicians and Non- Physicians Regarding General Beliefs about Autism.

Autism can occur in mild as well as extreme form

84.8

93.4

.004*

Children with autism usually grow up to be schizophrenic adults

24

17.4

0.306

Autism is an emotional disorder

40.4

23.9

.001*

Most children with autism are also mentally retarded

34.9

46.7

0.17

It is difficult to distinguish between autism and childhood schizophrenia

37.9

28.6

0.077

Autism occurs more commonly among higher socio economic and educational levels

25.7

20.7

0.667

Autistic children's withdrawal is mostly due to cold, rejecting parents

42.5

35.6

0.424

Most children with autism have special talents or abilities

55.9

69.2

0.061

Autism is a rare condition in this country as compared with the West

33.6

36.4

0.852

Autism is under-recognized and often missed in general practice

85.5

70.1

.003*

There is a lack of awareness regarding autism among professionals in Pakistan

86.7

76.1

0.072

Autism is a communication disorder

56

46.7

.022*

Children with autism do not show social attachments, even to parents

57.8

74.2

.009*

It is impossible to tell if a child has autism before four years of age

23.1

27.2

.001*

Autism exists only in childhood

43.1

50.5

.028*

Even with early intervention, the prognosis for independent community functioning of individuals with autism is poor

32.9

46.7

.028*

Autism is a developmental disorder

51

71

.009*

With the proper treatment, most children with autism eventually "outgrow" autism.

49.3

44

0.469

Autism is a lifelong condition

44.6

51.6

0.561

Children with autism are "untestable."

34

20.2

.003*

Parental counseling on training techniques is one effective treatment of autism.

76.2

96.8

.001*

Dietary intervention is one of treatment options

35.6

50

0.038