Exploring the Unmet Needs of Primary Caregivers of Autistic Children and Its Implications for Social Work Practice in Ghana

Abstract

Caring for an autistic child is fraught with various difficulties and may present unmet needs that could affect the overall well-being of caregivers and children themselves. Consequently, gaining insight into the unmet needs of these caregivers is imperative for the development of targeted and effective interventions to enhance their quality of life and improve their ability to care for their children. Using a descriptive qualitative research design, this study engaged 10 primary caregivers of autistic children in Ghana to understand their unmet needs. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and thematically analyzed. The analysis revealed the urgent need for financial support for primary caregivers, the availability of more special schools, and the services of trained professionals in the field of autism. Caregivers also called for the intensification of public education to help reorient the perspectives of the general population on the autism condition. Based on the findings, some recommendations for policy and practice were made. The implications of the findings for social work are also discussed.