Autism in Africa Under the Microscope at UKZN Symposium

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The College of Health Sciences’ DRILL Mental Health team hosted an Autism in Africa Symposium during which several local experts and an international guest, Dr Rosa Hoekstra spoke on the state of clinical services and research on Autism Spectrum and Developmental Disorders.

A senior lecturer in Psychology at King’s College in London, Hoekstra conducts high quality research, the results of which have made a difference to families affected by autism and other developmental disorders worldwide.

Hoekstra shared details of her research on childhood developmental disorders and autism conducted in Ethiopia, which has informed research and clinical efforts in KwaZulu-Natal.

Social and cultural factors impacting on autism are vital in informing the development of a culturally appropriate autism screening tool for sub-Saharan Africa; the effect of mental health training on increasing awareness about mental health and developmental disorders among rural community health workers, and the piloting of WHO’s Parent Skills Training (PST) programme for caregivers of children with developmental disorders.

Local speakers, paediatric neurologist at KwaZulu-Natal Children’s Hospital (KZNCH), Dr Vasantha Govender and paediatric registrar, Dr Sajal Pillay, presented data from the multidisciplinary autism service offered at the hospital. Pillay’s analysis of referrals to the hospital revealed that 87% of children were first presented for care after the age of 36 months - the majority presenting between 49 to 60 months. Of concern was the delay between recognition of symptoms and presentation to a healthcare professional, which was as long as two years and it took up to two additional years to access the specialised services at KZNCH.

More than half of their patients presented with speech-related problems, which were particularly amenable to intervention with early presentation. ADHD and intellectual disability were the other frequent conditions co-morbid in their autism spectrum population.

UKZN lecturer and child psychiatrist at King DinuZulu Psychiatric Hospital in Durban, Dr Saeeda Paruk said neuropsychiatric co-morbidities frequently occurred in children and adults on the autism spectrum. ‘Stigma, healthcare and cultural barriers and a lack of awareness among parents often lead to late presentation for services. Early diagnosis and intervention are essential for improving outcomes for affected children,’ said Paruk.

Another speaker, Chairperson and founding member of Action in Autism, Ms Liza Aziz, was instrumental in lobbying the KZN Department of Education to provide education to learners with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Aziz highlighted the challenges faced by parents of autistic children and shared the strides made by the NPO in providing services and support to children and young adults on the spectrum as well as to caregivers.

Other speakers included PhD student and AMARI Fellow, Ms Lucy Chitehwe, who highlighted the challenges of raising children in rural communities where formal services are not readily available or accessible, while occupational therapist, Ms Debbie Fewster, focused on the lived experiences and needs of caregivers, emphasising the need for a locally relevant model of support.

Symposium organiser and DRILL PI for Mental Health, Dr Suvira Ramlall said the event aimed to highlight a growing social and clinical area for which there was a great need for services in KwaZulu-Natal. Additionally, while there was a huge need to understand the socio-cultural challenges of diagnosing autism and provide holistic support to affected children and their caregivers, research on autism in KwaZulu-Natal was lacking.

The event was attended by doctors, nurses, psychologists, researchers, representatives from the Department of Education and NGOs.

Words: Nombuso Dlamini

Photograph: Supplied