Development of a Brief Intervention to Improve Knowledge of Autism and Behavioral Strategies Among Parents in Tanzania.
Despite the global presence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a paucity of treatment services exists in Tanzania and other low- and middle-income countries. The effect of delayed or low-quality treatments is enduring and contributes to lifelong variability in ASD-related functional impairments. Service disparities in Tanzania derive in part from a widespread lack of national ASD knowledge. Historically, in Western countries, parents have played a major role in increasing ASD awareness, advancing research, and encouraging empirically supported treatments. In the absence of established treatment services, parents of children with ASD have also learned to implement behavioral interventions to reduce the widening skills gaps. This article describes the development of an intervention designed to inform parents in Tanzania about ASD and empirically supported behavioral strategies. Preliminary data, collected from a clinical implementation with 29 Tanzanian families of children diagnosed with ASD or general developmental delays, support the initial feasibility and acceptability of this intervention. This brief intervention may help to ameliorate treatment disparities due to insufficient regional knowledge, language barriers, or limited service availability and may help improve functional outcomes among Tanzanian children with ASD.
Ashley Johnson Harrison, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia; Kristin A. Long, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts; Karim P. Manji, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania; and Karyn K. Blane, Emma Pendleton Bradley Hospital, Riverside, Rhode Island, and Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island.
Ashley Johnson
AJ
Harrison
Ashley Johnson Harrison, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia; Kristin A. Long, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts; Karim P. Manji, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania; and Karyn K. Blane, Emma Pendleton Bradley Hospital, Riverside, Rhode Island, and Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island.
Kristin A
KA
Long
Ashley Johnson Harrison, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia; Kristin A. Long, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts; Karim P. Manji, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania; and Karyn K. Blane, Emma Pendleton Bradley Hospital, Riverside, Rhode Island, and Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island.
Karim P
KP
Manji
Ashley Johnson Harrison, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia; Kristin A. Long, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts; Karim P. Manji, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania; and Karyn K. Blane, Emma Pendleton Bradley Hospital, Riverside, Rhode Island, and Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island.
Karyn K
KK
Blane
D000293:Adolescent; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D017028:Caregivers; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents; D013636:Tanzania
Tanzania; autism knowledge; autism spectrum disorder; mental health literacy; parent training