The Neurodiversity Attitudes Questionnaire: Development and Initial Validation

Schuck, R. K., Choi, S., Baiden, K. M. P., Dwyer, P., & Uljarević, M. (2024). The Neurodiversity Attitudes Questionnaire: Development and Initial Validation. Autism, 28(11), 2821-2833. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613241245756

Publication date: 28 Apr 2024 Added to AutiHub: 5 Jul 2026 Type: Article Article language: English

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Authors

Publication authors
5
Publication authors identified as autistic
1 / 5 (20.0%)

Abstract

Neurodiversity refers to the idea that all brains—no matter their differences—are valuable and should be accepted. Attitudes toward the neurodiversity perspective can have real-life impacts on the lives of neurodivergent people, from effects on daily interactions to how professionals deliver services for neurodivergent individuals. In order to identify negative attitudes toward neurodiversity and potentially intervene to improve them, we first need to measure these attitudes. This article describes the development and initial validation of the Neurodiversity Attitudes Questionnaire (NDAQ), including item revision based on expert review, cognitive interviews, systematic evaluation of participants’ response process, and analysis of the instrument’s internal factor structure using exploratory structural equation modeling. Pilot analysis with 351 individuals mostly living in the United States who were currently working in or intending to pursue helping professions indicates that the NDAQ has construct validity, is well understood by participants, and fits a five-factor structure. While the NDAQ represents the first instrument designed to specifically assess attitudes toward the neurodiversity perspective, further validation work is still needed. Lay Abstract Neurodiversity refers to the idea that brain differences (including disabilities) are valuable and should be accepted. Attitudes toward neurodiversity can have real-life impacts on the lives of neurodivergent people (those whose brains do not fit society’s “standard”). These impacts can include effects on daily interactions, as well as how professionals such as teachers and doctors deliver services to neurodivergent people. In order to identify negative attitudes toward neurodiversity and potentially improve them, we first need to measure these attitudes. This article describes the development of the Neurodiversity Attitudes Questionnaire (NDAQ). NDAQ development included revision of questionnaire items based on feedback from experts and neurodivergent people, systematically evaluating the way participants responded to questionnaire items, and analysis of how the NDAQ items are grouped into different factors. A preliminary analysis with 351 individuals mostly living in the United States who were currently working or planning to work in a helping profession (e.g. doctors, teachers, therapists, and so on) indicates that the NDAQ measures attitudes toward neurodiversity, is well understood by participants, and fits a five-factor structure. While the NDAQ represents the first instrument designed to specifically assess attitudes toward the broad idea of neurodiversity, further work is still needed.

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Cited references
73
Total cited references integrated for this publication.
Cited references with an identified autistic author
10 / 73 (13.7%)
Cited author occurrences identified as autistic
15 / 149 (10.1%)
Among occurrences linked to AutiHub author records: 15 / 47 (31.9%). Distinct cited authors identified as autistic: 10 / 135 (7.4%).
Cited author occurrences linked to AutiHub author records
47 / 149 (31.5%)
Distinct linked cited authors: 37 / 135 (27.4%)
Linked cited-author occurrences not identified as autistic
32 / 47 (68.1%)
Among linked cited-author occurrences only. Across all cited-author occurrences: 32 / 149 (21.5%). Distinct linked cited authors not identified as autistic: 27 / 37 (73.0%).
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