Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a condition commonly characterized by challenges with social interaction, repetitive atypical behaviour, and restricted interest. It is estimated that about 1 in 160 children has ASD. Caring for children with ASD is challenging for many parents or caregivers. The study aims at exploring the challenges experienced by caregivers of children with ASD. A qualitative phenomenological study was employed using an exploratory descriptive research design. A total of 10 participants were recruited in this study using a purposive sampling technique. Data were analysed using content analysis procedures. Caregivers of children with ASD face social, financial, and emotional challenges, challenges in accessing health care, education and training of their children in mainstream school settings. The numerous challenges have implications for the quality of life of the caregivers and their children. The financial challenges and inaccessibility of specialist health services have serious implications for the continuous medical care and monitoring of children with ASD. The challenges in education and training of children with ASD has negative consequences for enrolment and retention of children with ASD in mainstream school settings.

中文翻译：

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对加纳自闭症谱系障碍儿童的护理人员所面临的挑战性角色进行定性调查

自闭症谱系障碍 (ASD) 是一种通常以社交互动困难、重复性非典型行为和兴趣受限为特征的疾病。据估计，大约每 160 名儿童中就有 1 人患有自闭症谱系障碍 (ASD)。对于许多父母或看护者来说，照顾患有自闭症谱系障碍的儿童是一项挑战。该研究旨在探讨自闭症儿童的照顾者所面临的挑战。采用探索性描述性研究设计进行定性现象学研究。本研究采用有目的抽样技术，共招募了 10 名参与者。使用内容分析程序对数据进行分析。自闭症儿童的照顾者面临着社会、经济和情感方面的挑战，以及在主流学校环境中获得医疗保健、教育和培训孩子的挑战。众多挑战对护理人员及其孩子的生活质量产生影响。财务挑战和无法获得专科医疗服务对自闭症谱系障碍儿童的持续医疗护理和监测产生了严重影响。自闭症儿童的教育和培训方面的挑战对自闭症儿童在主流学校的入学和留校率产生了负面影响。