Trigger-day hCG effects on DNA methylation and neurodevelopment in ART offspring.

We interviewed Jordanian parents of young children with autism to learn how they perceive and describe their children’s symptoms. Jordanian parents noticed and interpreted symptoms differently than parents in the United States, Reflecting their cultural values, they were more concerned about social difficulties than language delays, more accepting of behavioral differences, and often described symptoms positively. Many were hesitant to accept an autism diagnosis due to social stigma. We also identified unique Arabic words for describing autism that haven’t been documented before. These findings will help develop better diagnostic tools and treatments for children with autism in Jordan and similar communities. Autism is the one of the most common developmental disorders worldwide, with a prevalence of 1–2% [, ]. Although 70% of children with autism have average or above-average cognitive ability, they often experience significant challenges due to impaired social communication and restricted, repetitive behaviors []. These behavioral characteristics, as defined by DSM-5 criteria, reflect a Western perspective, as most autism research is conducted in Western countries [, , ]. Since social communication and interaction are heavily shaped by culture [], significant cultural differences exist in many aspects of verbal and nonverbal communication that likely impact the presentation of autism in culturally diverse populations []. Additionally, most autism diagnostic instruments were normed in primarily white populations []. Because autism diagnosis relies on behavioral observation rather than biological markers, the interpretation of autism-associated behaviors may vary significantly across cultures [, ]. Screening and diagnostic tools, developed primarily in high-income countries, have advanced research in autism etiology, diagnosis, and intervention. Although cultural influences on autism are well acknowledged, most autism screening and diagnostic research is centered in high-income countries and focuses predominantly on high-income, white populations [, ]. This bias may restrict the applicability of research findings to other cultural and resource-limited settings []. The absence of culturally and linguistically adapted diagnostic instruments continues to hinder research and clinical care, particularly in low-resource settings [, ]. Rates of autism diagnosis and access to services vary widely between countries and within countries among different racial and socioeconomic groups [, , ]. In addition to diagnostic limitations, cultural perceptions of developmental differences affect autism recognition and intervention availability, with symptom expression and significance varying across cultures—a phenomenon known as “cultural relativism” []. The limited existing evidence suggests variability across cultures in autism presentations and family beliefs about autism diagnosis [, , ].