Breaking the Myths: Understanding the Challenges of Caregivers of Autism in Pakistan – A Systematic Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52053/jpap.v5i4.328Keywords:
Autism Spectrum Disorder, Awareness, Parents of Children with ASD, Knowledge, Practice, Pakistan, Social Stigma, Systematic ReviewAbstract
The aim of this systematic review is to critically evaluate selected research articles, examining the nature of the problem, study focus, theoretical and conceptual frameworks, sample size, sampling methods, instruments used, key findings, and limitations. It also explores implications for future research. As part of a PhD project, the researcher reviewed local studies from 2011 to 2024 to identify the main challenges and influencing factors faced by parents of children with autism. This review employed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) model. Google Scholar, Research Gate, and PubMed were used to find relevant articles. Of 46 articles, 20 met the inclusion criteria. These studies were conducted in major cities of Pakistan, including Karachi, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Peshawar, and Multan. The findings revealed a significant lack of awareness and prevalent cultural myths about autism among stakeholders (e.g., healthcare professionals, general practitioners, psychologists, teachers) in Pakistan, contributing to delays in diagnosis, misdiagnosis, and multiple diagnoses. The study highlighted the need to dispel these myths, as they magnified the challenges faced by parents. It also emphasized the necessity of culturally sensitive interventions and awareness programs. This review primarily focuses on urban populations, with little information on rural populations. Furthermore, most studies collected data from mothers, with few addressing the challenges faced by fathers. Future research should include rural populations, address fathers' concerns, and collect larger sample data.
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