Objective To investigate the awareness and management attitude towards autism spectrum disorders（ASD）among different populations

so as to provide scientific evidence for early recognition

early diagnosis and early intervention of ASD.Methods Based on the method of multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling

a total of 879 subjects from three populations in Baotou urban area who were in close contact with children（family members

community medical workers

and childhood educators） participated in this survey.A self-administered questionnaire was used to investigate the awareness and management attitude towards ASD.Results About 31.4% of participants could identify the symptoms of ASD

and 23.7% correctly understood the nature of the disease（developmental disorder）.The differences among the three populations were statistically significant in terms of identification of ASD and understanding of the nature of the disease（both P<0.05）.In response to the question of"whether or not seek medical advice when a child is found to have behavioral problems"

85.4% of participants chose "seek medical advice immediately";as for the question of"whether or not early treatment and intervention of ASD may lead to disease improvement"

76.5% of participants answered "yes";the differences among the three populations were also statistically significant for these two questions（both P<0.05）.Notably

children’s family members had the poorest understanding of ASD with the most negative attitude towards ASD management.Conclusion Overall

populations in close contact with children in Baotou have low awareness of ASD

but community medical workers and childhood educators have better awareness levels of ASD than children’ s family members.Therefore

it is important to improve the awareness level for the three populations

especially children’s family members

which may contribute to early recognition

early diagnosis and early intervention of ASD.