Factors that inhibit the social involvement of children with autism: perspectives of parents in the Cape Coast metropolis.

Abstract

Background: Many countries, including Ghana, continue to face challenges concerning the social involvement of persons with disabilities such as autism. This study investigated the factors that inhibit the social involvement of children with autism in the Cape Coast Metropolis.

Methods: The study was conducted in the Cape Coast metropolis. A qualitative interpretivism approach was used. Twenty-three participants were recruited for the study using purposive sampling. An in-depth interview guide was employed for data collection, and thematic analysis was used.

Results: We found that most autistic children do not get the opportunity to be involved in social activities due to their autistic features, socio-cultural and their parents' financial status. The findings also showed that the inability of children with autism to speak fluently and sit for long without being aggressive prevents their inclusion in social activities. However, older children with autism were considered more for activities in the metropolis than those within the younger ages. Financial constraint was a common challenge that prevented some parents from bringing up their children with autism in ways that would make them considerable for social roles.

Conclusion: Factors such as autistic features, sociocultural and financial constraints inhibited the social involvement of children with autism. Underlining these barriers is the issue of inadequate knowledge of autism and financial barriers for parents of children with autism. We, therefore, recommended that the Ghana Health Service and the Ministry of Health to intensify advocacy programs targeted at educating the public on autism to reduce discrimination.