Māori and autism: A scoping review
Open accessAbstract
Cultural groups may vary considerably in their understandings of autism spectrum disorder and approaches to supporting autistic individuals. However, approaches to researching, identifying and managing autism are largely dominated by Western perspectives. This review provides an overview of the literature related to autism and Māori, the indigenous people of Aotearoa/New Zealand. A search of the peer-reviewed and grey literature identified 273 potentially relevant publications, and 13 of these met inclusion criteria. The included publications addressed questions related to Māori understandings of autism, Māori prevalence rates and diagnostic and support services for Māori. Findings suggest broad differences in Māori and Western understandings of autism and slightly higher autism prevalence rates for Māori than for non-Māori New Zealanders. The need for diagnostic and support services that are both effective and culturally appropriate for Māori was also highlighted. These findings are discussed in relation to implications for future research and the provision of services for autistic Māori. Lay abstract: Most current approaches to identifying, researching and managing autism are based on Western views and understandings. However, different cultural groups may understand and approach autism differently. We searched a wide range of websites, academic journals and other sources for published information related to autism and Māori, the indigenous people of Aotearoa/New Zealand. Our search identified 13 publications that addressed questions related to Māori understandings of autism, Māori prevalence rates and diagnostic and support services for Māori. Overall, we found broad differences in Māori and Western understandings of autism and slightly higher autism prevalence rates for Māori than for non-Māori New Zealanders. Findings also highlighted a need for diagnostic and support services that are both effective and culturally appropriate for Māori. We discuss what these findings might mean for future research and the provision of services for Māori with autism.
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Tupou et al. (2021) determined cultural understandings similar to the Cowessess First Nation community report and observed the need for improved diagnostic services and supports.
“in a scoping review examining autism in Māori communities New Zealand, Tupou et al. (2021) determined cultural understandings similar to what the Cowessess First Nation community report explored. Tupou and colleagues (2021) further observed the need for improved diagnostic services and supports.”
From Indigenous Autism in Canada: A Scoping Review (2024) · cites this paper as Tupou et al., 2021
Evidence-based Western support options may not be appropriate for people from non-Western cultures and may act as a barrier to indigenous populations accessing and/or benefiting from these supports.
“evidence-based Western support options may not be appropriate for people from non-Western cultures and may act as a barrier to indigenous populations accessing and/or benefiting from these supports.25”
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“When contrasting the findings of this scoping review with the others done in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, the emergent themes are similar across reviews, including challenges to diagnosis, different understandings of autism, and the lack of research in this area.”
BackgroundMcLay, L., Emerson, L. M., Waddington, H., van Deurs, J., Hunter, J., Blampied, N., Hapuku, A., Macfarlane, S., Bowden, N., van Noorden, L., et al. (2023) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2022-071235 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
“25 Cultural considerations are necessary to ensure the available supports also meet the needs of indigenous populations.”
BackgroundSelf-citation
- Authors
- Tupou, J., Curtis, S., Taare-Smith, D., Glasgow, A., & Waddington, H.
- Affiliations
- Victoria University of Wellington (NZ)
- Takiwātanga Toanga, New Zealand
- Corresponding author
- Tupou, Jessica
- Venue
- Autism
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2021-06-04
- Volume
- 25
- Issue
- 7
- Pages
- 1844-1858
- ISSN
- 1362-3613 (ISSN-L)
- 1461-7005
- OpenAlex
- W3164054252
- Cited by
- 35
- References
- 30
- Citations by year
- 2026: 7 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 13 · 2022: 5
- FWCI
- 0.78
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- figshare.com
- Licence
- Locations
- Autism (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Open Access Victoria University of Wellington | Te Herenga Waka (Figshare) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- Victoria University of Wellington
- Funders
- Victoria University
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
- Social Sciences › Health › Indigenous Health, Education, and Rights
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Cultural Competency in Health Care
- Keywords
- autism spectrum disorder, Māori, indigenous peoples, autism prevalence, autism diagnosis, autism services, culturally appropriate services, New Zealand
- MeSH terms
- Autism Spectrum Disorder, Autistic Disorder, Humans, New Zealand, Prevalence, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
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