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The nature of social services for children on the autism spectrum and their families in low socioeconomic communities: Views of social workers in the Western Cape
Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2025.
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | en_ZA |
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Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
2025
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| _version_ | 1867614099024642048 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Blankers, Beatrice Hildegard |
| author2 | Khosa, Priscalia |
| author_browse | Blankers, Beatrice Hildegard Khosa, Priscalia |
| author_facet | Khosa, Priscalia Blankers, Beatrice Hildegard |
| author_sort | Blankers, Beatrice Hildegard |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | Stellenbosch University |
| description | Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2025. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/134522 |
| institution | Stellenbosch University (South Africa) |
| language | en_ZA |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:46:39.009Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publishDateRange | 2025 |
| publishDateSort | 2025 |
| publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| publisherStr | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| spelling | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/134522 The nature of social services for children on the autism spectrum and their families in low socioeconomic communities: Views of social workers in the Western Cape Blankers, Beatrice Hildegard Khosa, Priscalia Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Social Work. Autism spectrum disorders in children -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Western Cape Social service -- South Africa -- Western Cape Parents of children with disabilities -- Services for -- South Africa -- Western Cape Low-income consumers -- Services for -- South Africa -- Western Cape Social workers -- South Africa -- Western Cape -- Attitudes UCTD Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2025. Blankers, B. H. 2025. The nature of social services for children on the autism spectrum and their families in low socioeconomic communities: Views of social workers in the Western Cape. Unpublished masters thesis. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University [online]. Available: https://scholar.sun.ac.za/items/df4fc16d-e2db-4917-a8cf-f7dc488df1cf ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition characterised by a diverse range of challenges, particularly related to communication, social interaction, and restricted or repetitive patterns of behaviour. The difficulties experienced by children with autism do not occur in isolation; primary caregivers often face significant challenges related to navigating parenting responsibilities. In South Africa, particularly in the Western Cape's low socioeconomic communities, challenges for children with autism and their primary caregivers are compounded by poverty, stigma, and limited access to formalised systemic services. Social workers play a pivotal role in providing social services to children with autism and their families to mitigate these challenges. Yet little is known about the nature of social services available to children with autism in low socioeconomic communities. Research shows that the prevalence of ASD is higher in low- and middle-income countries; however, literature on autism predominantly comes from high-income countries. Hence, this study explores the views of social workers regarding the nature of social services provided to children with autism and their families in low socioeconomic communities in the Western Cape. A qualitative research approach was employed, using an exploratory and descriptive research design. Purposive and snowball sampling methods were used to recruit 13 social workers with experience in working with children with autism and their families in low socioeconomic communities. Data were collected through online semi-structured interviews. The data were analysed using thematic content analysis. The study revealed that children with autism and their families living in low socioeconomic communities in the Western Cape experience multiple, interconnected challenges, including high crime rates, widespread unemployment, informal housing conditions, substance abuse, and gang-related violence. The study found significant vulnerabilities for both children with autism and their primary caregivers, highlighting the emotional, financial, and psychological toll on families. Social workers played a critical role across multiple systems, offering services ranging from psychosocial and educational support to advocacy, statutory interventions, and community outreach. Despite these efforts, service delivery challenges remained, with limited resources for post-diagnosis support and insufficient funds for respite care identified as key service gaps. The findings emphasise the urgent need for integrated, family-centred services guided by developmental and ecological frameworks. This study makes a significant contribution to the limited body of research on autism-related social services in low socioeconomic settings, particularly in the South African context. It foregrounds the perspectives of social workers, thereby representing practitioner insights that are underrepresented in academic literature about autism. By applying Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory, the study offers an understanding of how intersecting systemic, familial, and individual factors shape the provision and accessibility of social services. Importantly, it highlights the structural inequities in South Africa, including health, educational, and social service delivery gaps that exacerbate the vulnerabilities of both children with autism and their primary caregivers. The study’s findings underscore the need for specialist training for social workers, formalised post-diagnosis support, and intersectoral collaboration between the Departments of Social Development, Health, and Basic Education. AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming beskikbaar nie. Masters 2025-12-12T07:15:24Z 2025-12-12T07:15:24Z 2025-12 Thesis https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/134522 en_ZA Stellenbosch University 179 pages : illustrations application/pdf Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| spellingShingle | Autism spectrum disorders in children -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Western Cape Social service -- South Africa -- Western Cape Parents of children with disabilities -- Services for -- South Africa -- Western Cape Low-income consumers -- Services for -- South Africa -- Western Cape Social workers -- South Africa -- Western Cape -- Attitudes UCTD Blankers, Beatrice Hildegard The nature of social services for children on the autism spectrum and their families in low socioeconomic communities: Views of social workers in the Western Cape |
| title | The nature of social services for children on the autism spectrum and their families in low socioeconomic communities: Views of social workers in the Western Cape |
| title_full | The nature of social services for children on the autism spectrum and their families in low socioeconomic communities: Views of social workers in the Western Cape |
| title_fullStr | The nature of social services for children on the autism spectrum and their families in low socioeconomic communities: Views of social workers in the Western Cape |
| title_full_unstemmed | The nature of social services for children on the autism spectrum and their families in low socioeconomic communities: Views of social workers in the Western Cape |
| title_short | The nature of social services for children on the autism spectrum and their families in low socioeconomic communities: Views of social workers in the Western Cape |
| title_sort | nature of social services for children on the autism spectrum and their families in low socioeconomic communities views of social workers in the western cape |
| topic | Autism spectrum disorders in children -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Western Cape Social service -- South Africa -- Western Cape Parents of children with disabilities -- Services for -- South Africa -- Western Cape Low-income consumers -- Services for -- South Africa -- Western Cape Social workers -- South Africa -- Western Cape -- Attitudes UCTD |
| url | https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/134522 |
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