Xu L and Balanay J (2019). Parent Perceptions of Environmental Triggers for Autism: A Community-Based Pilot Study among Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders in Rural Setting. American Journal of Health Studies 34(2): 93-105.
Abstract
Background: Environmental factors have been increasingly identified as the cause of the current high prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Objective: The purpose of this study is to understand parents’ perceptions regarding environmental influence and autism. Methods: We conducted individual, face-to-face interviews with parents of children with ASD in Eastern North Carolina. Results: Our sample is comprised of 25 parents of children with autism with an average age of 39.08 and 68% were mothers. Our data indicated that 19 (76%) parents believed that environmental factors impacted the development of their children’s autism, half of whom indicated >50% of influence. Among these environmental triggers, food and water (52%), air pollution (40%), pesticides and cleaning products (20%) were the most identified contributing factors associated with the onset of autism. Conclusions: Our findings reflected some unmet needs to improve parental awareness of environmental triggers of ASD.