Autism Spectrum Disorders in Global Health: Awareness, Early Diagnosis, and Inclusive Care

This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Mr. Chima – Mpamah Milton is a fifth year medical student from Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ebonyi, Nigeria. He is affiliated with the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA), cordial partner of The Sting. The opinions expressed in this piece belong strictly to the writer and do not necessarily reflect IFMSA’s view on the topic, nor The European Sting’s one.

By definition, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) refers to a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that impacts a child’s ability to communicate and interact socially, but it runs deeper than that. It essentially means that their brains work in ways that are different from what is ‘typical’ or common, which transcends borders, ethnicities, and socioeconomic status. It falls into two broad areas: difficulty with social interactions and communication, and limited, repetitive behaviors and interests.

In low and middle-income countries, autism is usually believed to be spiritual, like a punishment from ancestors. People living with autism often go undiagnosed for years and are labelled as weird individuals. Cultural misconceptions are misleading and dangerous because communities employ harmful methods under the guise of curative strategies for autism. Awareness isn’t just knowledge that autism exists; it runs deeper into the impact and social conditioning experienced by those living with autism. Local efforts to raise awareness of these developmental disorders should be intensified. Community centers and primary health facilities should beef up on teaching young and intending couples about the behaviors of their children that can be pointers to autism.

Several barriers are linked to delays in diagnosis, including a lack of comfort in diagnosing autism by primary care providers, delayed referrals, the inability of parents to raise critical developmental concerns, confusion of autism with other conditions, and a health system that is not responsive to the needs of the underserved communities. Routine screening with standardized instruments facilitates early identification. Early diagnosis would involve DNA analysis of the FRM1 gene to rule out genetic defects and prepare for adequate social support, if positive. This involves restructuring of family navigation programs, especially for the less-educated, low-income, and children of color, to improve access in settings of financial, linguistic, and cultural barriers. The most important indicator of long-term quality of life is early diagnosis, since it enables neuroplasticity-based intervention during crucial developmental years. Incorporation and fortification of mental health clinics and campaigns geared towards improvement of living outcomes and conditions should take center stage in local policy implementation.

In developing countries, 80% to 90% of persons with disabilities of working age are unemployed, whereas in industrialized countries, the figure is between 50% and 70%. Governments and health systems should institutionalize routine training for community health workers and public service personnel on autism-informed care. This training should include practical strategies for developing inclusive public environments, the establishment of low-stimulation spaces, and the thoughtful regulation of auditory input, lighting, and tactile elements to reduce sensory overload and improve community participation for autistic individuals.

An individual’s ability to thrive with autism should depend not on geography but on access to resources. Cultural myths should be abandoned because they reinforce stigma and isolation in public spaces. Global health surrounding autism should move towards understanding autism as a neurological diversity rather than a disease to be cured.

About the author

Chima – Mpamah Milton is a fifth year medical student from Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ebonyi, Nigeria. He is affiliated with NiMSA (Nigerian Medical Students Association) and has held leadership roles across endeavours. Beyond academics, he is a passionate volunteer for projects that emphasize on the sustainable development goals to help provide access to better health care and enjoys films in his spare time. Milton’s interests lie in the domains of surgery and the field of public health.