Accra: In Ghana, raising a child diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder is becoming an increasingly difficult journey as parents grapple with deep-rooted social stigma, limited institutional support, and rising financial demands for specialised care. While awareness of the condition has improved in recent years, many families still struggle with stigma, delayed diagnosis, and limited access to appropriate care.
According to Ghana News Agency, autism spectrum disorder is a developmental condition that affects communication, behaviour, and social interaction. Experts emphasise that early diagnosis and intervention are essential for improving outcomes for children. One of the most pressing challenges is social stigma. In some communities, autism is still misunderstood and is sometimes attributed to spiritual causes or poor parenting. This misunderstanding often leads to isolation for both the child and the family. Parents may avoid seeking help due to fear of discrimination or negative judgement from relatives and neighbours.
In schools, children with autism are frequently excluded from mainstream education due to a lack of trained teachers and inclusive learning environments. Ms Naomy Boatemaa Djan, a seamstress and mother of a four-year-old autistic child, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the financial burden is overwhelming. "I pay for speech therapy, occupational therapy, and behavioural sessions," she said. "Sometimes I am unable to afford all of them, and it breaks my heart. I am a seamstress, but I miss work often just to take him to appointments, which means I earn less. My customers are leaving because I am not always available. Sometimes I have to choose between working and getting him the help he needs. It is exhausting, but I keep going because I want him to improve."
According to the World Health Organization, one in 127 persons has autism, representing an average estimate, though prevalence varies significantly across studies. The WHO notes that while some well-controlled studies report higher figures, the prevalence of autism in many low- and middle-income countries remains unknown. It further states that available scientific evidence suggests multiple factors may increase the likelihood of autism, including genetic and environmental influences. These include advanced parental age, maternal diabetes during pregnancy, prenatal exposure to air pollution or certain heavy metals, prematurity, severe birth complications, and low birth weight, which appear more frequently among children with autism or their parents. The WHO also notes that research has examined possible links between medication use during pregnancy and autism risk, stressing that more studies are needed to better understand how genetic and environmental factors interact.