Attitudes of autistic adults toward genetic testing for autism

Gallion, T., Williams, Z. J., Niarchou, M., Duncan, L., Hooker, G. W., & Taylor, K. A. (2024). Attitudes of autistic adults toward genetic testing for autism. Journal of Genetic Counseling, 34(1), e1918-e1918. https://doi.org/10.1002/jgc4.1918

Publication date: 25 May 2024 Added to AutiHub: 7 Jul 2026 Type: Article Article language: English

This publication is integrated into AutiHub through:

Authors

Publication authors
6
Publication authors identified as autistic
1 / 6 (16.7%)

Abstract

Genetic testing for autism has been a controversial topic within the autistic community. Opinions regarding the benefits, risks, and limitations of genetic testing often differ between autistic people, researchers, and healthcare providers. The present study sought to understand the beliefs, attitudes, and intentions to pursue genetic testing of autistic adults and compare perspectives of autistic people who have had genetic testing with those who have not. An international sample of 173 autistic adults (19 [11%] who had previously undergone autism-related genetic testing) completed an online survey with questions assessing beliefs, attitudes, and intentions to pursue genetic testing. Beliefs and attitudes about genetic testing varied widely across the sample. Autistic individuals who had received prior genetic testing had much more positive beliefs about autism-related genetic testing (d = 0.87, 95% CI [0.37, 1.36]) and attitudes toward genetic testing (d = 1.14, 95% CI [0.66, 1.61]) compared to those who had not received such testing, although there were no meaningful differences between those same groups regarding beliefs about genetic testing unrelated to autism (d = 0.02, 95% CI [-0.45, 0.49], p = 0.93). Intention to genetically test oneself or one's (hypothetical) children was also significantly predicted by autism-specific beliefs, attitudes, and prior genetic testing status. A large majority of the sample (78.6%) also agreed that autistic individuals would benefit from contact with a genetic counselor in certain situations. These findings suggest that the autistic community does not have a singular view of genetic testing, and for those Autistic individuals who are interested in pursuing genetic testing for themselves or a family member, genetic counselors have the potential to play a key role in clinical care.

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Bibliography inclusion overview

These indicators describe the cited bibliography imported for this publication. Cited-reference metrics use the cited-reference total as denominator. Cited-author metrics state whether they use all cited-author occurrences or only occurrences linked to authors already integrated in the AutiHub database. They use cached links between cited authors and authors integrated in the AutiHub database. Last computed: 16 Aug 2026 11:31.

Cited references
70
Total cited references integrated for this publication.
Cited references with an identified autistic author
8 / 70 (11.4%)
Cited author occurrences identified as autistic
11 / 774 (1.4%)
Among occurrences linked to AutiHub author records: 11 / 95 (11.6%). Distinct cited authors identified as autistic: 9 / 730 (1.2%).
Cited author occurrences linked to AutiHub author records
95 / 774 (12.3%)
Distinct linked cited authors: 68 / 730 (9.3%)
Linked cited-author occurrences not identified as autistic
84 / 95 (88.4%)
Among linked cited-author occurrences only. Across all cited-author occurrences: 84 / 774 (10.9%). Distinct linked cited authors not identified as autistic: 59 / 68 (86.8%).
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