BIOLOGICAL UNIVERSALITY AND CULTURAL SINGULARITY OF AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

Abstract

Human behavior results from a complex relationship between neurobiological factors and experiences lived in social environments over time. In the context of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), this neurobiological pathway is expressed in how the individual perceives, interprets, and responds to the world; their behavior is not a deviation from conduct but rather a different form of manifestation. This study sought to broaden the discussion on the influence of social mechanisms on phenotypic expression and racial stigma in ASD, with an emphasis on the social and educational implications of this process. The methodology used in this study was a narrative review with theoretical research conducted between June 2025 and February 2026. Data collection was carried out in databases such as SciELO, PubMed, and BVS, with periodicity between 2000 and 2025. The PICo strategy was used to construct the guiding question: What aspects relate the biological universality with the cultural singularity of autism spectrum disorder? The inclusion criteria were studies from the last 25 years, studies in English or Portuguese and Spanish, complete studies, and studies in line with the research purpose and guiding question of PICo. The main findings were divided into 5 brief themes: Ethnic-racial inequalities in access to diagnosis in Brazil; Screening and diagnostic tools; Phenotypic expression and the construction of stigma; Public policies and school inclusion; and Autism in indigenous territories. The studies highlight that the diagnosis of ASD faces ethnic-racial stigmas and identify several complementary diagnostic methods, but inaccessible to a large part of the target audience. Furthermore, they reveal a lack of accessibility in society regarding the characteristic phenotypes of autism, reinforce the importance of education professionals in the social process of autistic children, and focus attention on indigenous communities with the presence of ASD. It is concluded that the influence of culture on ASD is significant, as it is believed that social values ​​and practices shape how the signs and symptoms are externally presented and clinically interpreted by healthcare professionals.