title: "It was like walking without knowing where I was going": A Qualitative Study of Autism in a UK Somali Migrant Community.
abstract: Increasing recognition of autism in Somali migrant communities means that appropriate support services are needed. Attitudes to autism and barriers related to help-seeking in these communities are poorly understood. We aimed to assess what families affected by autism need, and how health, education and social care services can support them. In partnership with the local Somali community the research team conducted 15 in-depth interviews with parents affected by autism. Two themes are reported; 'Perceptions of Autism' and 'Navigating the System'. Our research shows the importance of understanding cultural views of autism and the need to raise awareness, reduce stigma and provide support to encourage families not to delay seeking help for their children.
authors.affiliation: The National Institute for Health Research Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care West (NIHR CLAHRC West), University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, 9th floor, Whitefriars, Lewins Mead, Bristol, BS1 2NT, UK. f.fox@bristol.ac.uk.|School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Canynge Hall, 39 Whatley Road, Bristol, BS8 2PS, UK. f.fox@bristol.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-7313-8105
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fox
authors.affiliation: Autism Independence, Silai Centre, 176 Easton Road, Bristol, BS5 0ES, UK.
authors.forename: Nura
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Aabe
authors.affiliation: The National Institute for Health Research Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care West (NIHR CLAHRC West), University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, 9th floor, Whitefriars, Lewins Mead, Bristol, BS1 2NT, UK.|School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Canynge Hall, 39 Whatley Road, Bristol, BS8 2PS, UK.
authors.forename: Katrina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.affiliation: The National Institute for Health Research Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care West (NIHR CLAHRC West), University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, 9th floor, Whitefriars, Lewins Mead, Bristol, BS1 2NT, UK.|School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Canynge Hall, 39 Whatley Road, Bristol, BS8 2PS, UK.
authors.forename: Sabi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Redwood
authors.affiliation: School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Canynge Hall, 39 Whatley Road, Bristol, BS8 2PS, UK.|Bristol Autism Spectrum Service, Avon & Wiltshire Partnership NHS Mental Health Trust, 3 Petherton Road, Bristol, BS14 9BP, UK.
authors.forename: Dheeraj
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rai
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012998:Somalia / Q000208:ethnology; D014171:Transients and Migrants / Q000523:psychology*; D006113:United Kingdom
keywords: Attitudes; Autism; Childhood; Disability; Help-seeking; Migrant; Qualitative; Somali