Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment (May 2024)
The Unmasking of Autism in South Africa and Nigeria
Abstract
Skye Nandi Adams Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology, School of Human and Community Development, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South AfricaCorrespondence: Skye Nandi Adams, Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology, School of Human and Community Development, University of Witwatersrand, 1 Jan Smuts Avenue, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa, Email [email protected]: This review is of interest to researchers, policymakers, and healthcare professionals working in the field of autism in Africa. The review aims to describe autism in sub-Saharan Africa, focusing on South Africa and Nigeria regarding prevalence, incidence, identification, treatment, and attitudes towards autistic children. There are several challenges, such as lack of awareness, limited access to professional support and diagnostic tools, and cultural considerations in establishing the autism prevalence in the African region compared to other parts of the world. Additionally, South Africans and Nigerians exhibit diverse perspectives and attitudes that significantly influence the provision of treatment, including stigma and misconceptions held by healthcare professionals themselves. As a result, it is difficult to determine prevalence in South Africa and Nigeria. However, research has indicated that autism prevalence is rising globally, and in these contexts. Rising prevalence highlights the need to increase access to services, rehabilitation, and provide support to families of children with autism. Furthermore, research has emphasized the inequitable support and access available to families living in low-and high-income households and the need to provide contextually relevant and responsive interventions, education and training, research and policy in these countries.Keywords: Africa, autism, Nigeria, South Africa
