We set out to examine key stakeholder perspectives on early detection and intervention for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in South Africa. Early detection and intervention improves child and family outcomes and lessens long-term costs. We focused on stakeholders in the Western Cape province, one of the better-resourced in terms of healthcare. Eight senior management level stakeholders, two each from government's Health, Education, and Social Development, and the non-profit sector were identified using purposive sampling. In-depth interviews focused on key implementation- related themes. The National Integrated Early Childhood Development Policy was the most relevant to early detection and intervention. This policy, however, is not ASD specific. This lack of specificity is in keeping with an emerging theme: ASD was only seen within the context of other developmental disabilities, particularly by Health and Social Development. Specific ASD early detection and intervention may not currently align with Health and Social Development departmental goals. These departments are primarily responsible for identifying and providing services and financial support to young children with ASD. Increased ASD knowledge and local South African statistics on prevalence, burden and associated costs may alter this approach. At this time, ASD early intervention may be more closely aligned with Education department goals.

中文翻译：

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为南非自闭症谱系障碍提供早期发现和早期干预：西开普省利益相关者的观点。

我们着手研究主要利益相关者对南非自闭症谱系障碍 (ASD) 早期检测和干预的看法。早期发现和干预可以改善儿童和家庭的结局并降低长期成本。我们重点关注西开普省的利益相关者，该省是医疗保健资源最丰富的省份之一。通过有目的抽样确定了八名高级管理层利益相关者，其中两名来自政府卫生、教育和社会发展部门以及非营利部门。深入访谈重点关注与实施相关的关键主题。国家综合幼儿发展政策与早期发现和干预最为相关。然而，这项政策并不是针对 ASD 的。这种缺乏特异性的情况与一个新兴主题相一致：自闭症谱系障碍仅在其他发育障碍的背景下出现，特别是在健康和社会发展方面。特定的 ASD 早期检测和干预目前可能与卫生和社会发展部门的目标不符。这些部门主要负责识别患有自闭症谱系障碍的幼儿并为其提供服务和财政支持。增加对 ASD 的了解以及南非当地关于患病率、负担和相关成本的统计数据可能会改变这种方法。此时，自闭症谱系障碍早期干预可能更符合教育部门的目标。