Cultural considerations in global autism research: a systematic short review

Abstract

This systematic short review synthesizes recent cross-cultural research on how cultural context shapes the measurement, recognition, and formal identification of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) globally. Studies published between January 2019 and April 2025 were organized around three aims: cross-cultural performance of autism measures, sociocultural influences on recognition and reporting, and registry-based disparities in identification. Recent Findings A systematic search identified 3,436 records, of which 36 cross-sectional studies met inclusion criteria. Parent-report screening measures generally showed high internal consistency but limited cross-cultural equivalence, with variability in item functioning and caregiver endorsement patterns. Autism-related knowledge and explicit stigma varied across contexts, with greater interpersonal contact and socioeconomic conditions associated with more accepting attitudes. Differences in caregiver experiences, including parenting stress, affiliate stigma, and illness perceptions, were not fully explained by child clinical profiles. Variability in behavioral and cognitive findings aligned with both contextual practices and potential measurement non-equivalence. At the population level, recorded autism prevalence varied by language environment and ethnicity, with lower identification among non-dominant language groups and heterogeneous patterns across ethnic groups. Summary Culture shapes multiple stages of the autism pathway, from interpretation of behaviors to population-level identification. Cross-cultural differences are better understood as arising from interactions among sociocultural meaning-making, measurement practices, and structural conditions, rather than uniform differences in underlying characteristics. Addressing these disparities requires culturally feasible and validated assessment approaches and improved representation of low- and middle-income contexts. Advancing equitable understanding and support will depend on inclusive, interdisciplinary, and globally collaborative research efforts.