Autism Awareness Levels of University Students and Their Relationship with Various Variables

This cross-sectional quantitative study examined university students’ awareness of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The sample consisted of 354 students from different academic departments at a public university in Türkiye. Data were collected using the Autism Awareness Scale and a Demographic Information Form and analyzed through descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and independent-samples t-tests. Findings indicated relatively high awareness in social interaction, communication, and restricted and repetitive behaviors, whereas knowledge was lower regarding physical characteristics and early warning signs. Core behavioral knowledge was positively associated with peer relationships and early diagnosis indicators. Gender differences were minimal, except for higher early warning scores among females. Prior interaction with individuals with autism and ASD-related coursework were associated with higher awareness across multiple domains, while students without formal education scored higher on physical characteristics. Overall, the findings highlight the importance of direct experience and structured education in improving autism awareness among university students in higher education settings.