Improving Treatment of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: The Role of Non-specialist Care Providers

摘要

Developmental disabilities including autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual disability (ID) have been ranked among the leading mental health-related causes of the global burden of disease with lifelong effects on children under the age of 10 years [1]. With under-five child mortality declining in resource-poor countries [1], an increasing number of children will live on to experience an increasing burden of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) while the family shares a huge burden of care-giving [2]. Diagnosis of ASD in children is reported to co-exist with other conditions such as intellectual disabilities, epilepsy, tuberous sclerosis, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and emotional disorders [3]. Many of these children show deterioration in social skills, declines in cognitive functioning, delays in language skills, and poor motor skills.