"It was like walking without knowing where I was going": A Qualitative Study of Autism in a UK Somali Migrant Community.

J Autism Dev Disord

School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Canynge Hall, 39 Whatley Road, Bristol, BS8 2PS, UK.

Published: February 2017

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.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5309314PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10803-016-2952-9DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

autism somali
8
somali migrant
8
autism
6
"it walking
4
walking knowing
4
knowing going"
4
going" qualitative
4
qualitative study
4
study autism
4
migrant community
4

Similar Publications

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.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

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 PDF

Exploring nurses' experiences of a tailored intervention to increase MMR vaccine acceptance in a Somali community in Stockholm, Sweden: a qualitative interview study.

BMJ 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.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

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 PDF

Diagnosis and clinical presentation of two individuals with a rare pathogenic variant.

BMJ 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.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!