Increasing recognition of autism in Somali migrant communities means that appropriate support services are needed. Attitudes to autism and barriers related to help-seeking in these communities are poorly understood. We aimed to assess what families affected by autism need, and how health, education and social care services can support them. In partnership with the local Somali community the research team conducted 15 in-depth interviews with parents affected by autism. Two themes are reported; 'Perceptions of Autism' and 'Navigating the System'. Our research shows the importance of understanding cultural views of autism and the need to raise awareness, reduce stigma and provide support to encourage families not to delay seeking help for their children.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10803-016-2952-9 | DOI Listing |
Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health
February 2024
Department of Maternal and Child Health, Somali Institute for Health Research (SIHR), Hargeisa, Somaliland.
Background: The prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) has increased over the recent years; however, little is known about the experience of parents of children with autism in Africa such as Somalia. The aim of this study is to understand the knowledge on autism of Somali parents of children with autism and their perceptions of causes and treatment of ASD.
Methods: We conducted a qualitative study involving 22 parents of children with autism who lived in Mogadishu and Hargeisa; the two largest cities in Somalia.
Glob Public Health
January 2023
Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
This article traces the origin, sustenance and implications of a persistent rumour that is responsible for low measles mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination uptake in the Somali diaspora in a number of countries across the globe. The rumour stipulates that the MMR vaccine - the silent shot - causes autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Although the association between MMR and ASD is non-causal, and various public health initiatives have promoted health information campaigns, the rumour continues to circulate in the Somali diaspora in many countries, including Sweden.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBMJ Open
February 2023
The Office of the Head for Communicable Disease Control and Health Protection, Public Health Agency of Sweden, Solna, Sweden.
Objectives: To explore nurses' experiences of a tailored intervention that supported them with knowledge and tools to use during encounters and dialogue with parents with low vaccine acceptance.
Design: A qualitative study with in-depth interviews conducted in 2017. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.
Good relationships between parents and schools can improve autistic children's school success. There are many reasons why families from different cultural backgrounds find it harder to develop good relationships with schools, such as language barriers, discrimination and unfamiliarity with education systems. We know little about what 'good relationships' look like for these families.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBMJ Case Rep
December 2022
Division of Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
-associated neurodevelopmental disorder (TAND) is a rare and phenotypically variable genetic condition. Common features include intellectual disability, neurobehavioural concerns, postnatal tall stature and hypotonia.Two unrelated early adolescent males were referred to genetics for assessment of developmental delay.
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