Challenges and opportunities of implementing early interventions for autism spectrum disorders in resource-limited settings: A South African example

Abstract In this chapter, we discuss the challenges of providing early identification and intervention services for autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in resource-limited contexts. We also highlight opportunities and potential solutions that may address such challenges. To address the need of providing sustainable and scalable services for children with ASD, we propose five fundamental considerations—selecting effective interventions, ensuring effective implementation, establishing an understanding of the local context and setting, being guided by a deep knowledge of the intervention beneficiaries, and using a pragmatic evaluation approach. We focus on work done in South Africa and on the African continent. However, the chapter should be of direct relevance to clinicians, researchers, and policy-makers who work in other low- and middle-income countries, other resource-limited settings, and in culturally diverse contexts.