Expectations for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders or Intellectual Disabilities in Ghana: A Comparison Between...

Area of Science:

• Developmental Psychology
• Special Education
• Global Health

Background:

• Limited understanding of care provider expectations for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and intellectual disabilities (ID) in Ghana.
• Need to compare expectations between parents and various service providers.
• Importance of understanding cultural context in shaping perceptions of disability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore and compare service providers' and parents' expectations for children with ASD or ID in Ghana.
• To identify key areas of expectations, such as independence, social inclusion, and professional support.

Main Methods:

• Employed group concept mapping with 9 participants to identify expectation clusters.
• Utilized a quantitative survey with 128 participants to assess perceptions.
• Analyzed data using hierarchical clustering and Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA).

Main Results:

• Identified expectation clusters: independence, love and acceptance, equal social rights, and professional/caregiver training.
• MANOVA revealed significant differences between parents, teachers, and healthcare providers regarding the importance and achievability of these expectations.
• Perceptions varied notably across different stakeholder groups.

Conclusions:

• Significant disparities exist in how parents and professionals in Ghana view the expectations for children with ASD or ID.
• Cultural context plays a crucial role in shaping these differing perceptions.
• Findings underscore the need for culturally sensitive interventions and collaborative goal-setting.