Assessing the implications of social work services to children with autism in Tanzania

Abstract

The desk review method guided by ecosystem theory was employed to review and present findings on the roles of social workers in the  lives of autistic children in Tanzania. Dar es Salaam was used as a case study where social workers engage and address the special needs  of autistic children. Findings show that there are specialised autistic services in Dar es Salaam more than any other region and that social  workers play a significant role backed up by the Tanzania Child Act of 2009. Some health professionals and caregivers are not aware of  the role of social workers in the care of autism. Social workers however address the needs of autistic children by promoting full and  meaningful inclusion of autistic children in social functioning and accessing public goods and services. Social workers also empower  autistic children and their families through home and school visits, policy advocacy and using different forms of empowerment with other  professions to meet their needs. Despite these roles, their contributions are not well recognised. The paper concluded that social  work training does not inform practice towards intervening with autistic children. Therefore, the paper recommended that there should  be more advocacy by social workers to increase public awareness of their roles in autistic services and integration of autistic services in  training and social welfare services. Social work training institutions should integrate competence to address the needs of autistic  children.