Ivory Coast: Autistic children need more resources for their treatment

According to the World Health Organization, about 1% of the people in Ivory Coast might have autism spectrum disorder (ASD). But talking about ASD is considered as a taboo there and it is difficult to find medical help for people with this condition because there aren’t enough resources. Reporters

Health workers in Ivory Coast travel far to help children with autism and their families in rural areas. Autism is not well known or recognized in the country, and many people on the southern coast of West Africa are affected by it. Sadly, people with autism are often looked down upon and not treated well by people in Ivory Coast.

In this west African country close to Ghana, having a child with a disorder is not accepted, and it can make the family feel ashamed. Sometimes, families may even keep their child at home and isolate them from others.

The people in charge of healthcare in Ivory Coast want to start checking a lot of people for autism in 2023.

 However, right now there is only one place that can help people with autism in the whole country. There are also less than 12 doctors who know how to help people with autism in Ivory Coast.