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

我们着手研究利益相关者对南非自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）的早期发现和干预的主要观点。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。我们专注于西开普省省的利益相关者，这是医疗保健方面资源最丰富的国家之一。使用目的性抽样确定了八个高级管理层利益相关者，其中两个分别来自政府的卫生，教育和社会发展部门，以及非营利部门。深入访谈集中在与实施相关的关键主题上。国家早期综合儿童发展政策与早期发现和干预最相关。但是，此策略不是ASD专用的。缺乏特异性与一个新兴主题保持一致：仅在其他发展性残疾的背景下才能看到ASD，尤其是在卫生和社会发展领域。特定的ASD早期发现和干预目前可能不符合卫生和社会发展部门的目标。这些部门主要负责为ASD幼儿识别并提供服务和财务支持。ASD对患病率，负担和相关费用的了解和南非当地统计数据的增加，可能会改变这种方法。目前，ASD的早期干预可能与教育部门的目标更加紧密地结合在一起。这些部门主要负责为ASD幼儿识别并提供服务和财务支持。ASD对患病率，负担和相关费用的了解和南非当地统计数据的增加，可能会改变这种方法。目前，ASD的早期干预可能与教育部门的目标更加紧密地结合在一起。这些部门主要负责为ASD幼儿识别并提供服务和财务支持。ASD对患病率，负担和相关费用的了解和南非当地统计数据的增加，可能会改变这种方法。目前，ASD的早期干预可能与教育部门的目标更加紧密地结合在一起。