Service access and perceptions for Somali Australian migrants at risk of autism

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the service accessibility of Somali Australians suffering Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) by using both quantitative and qualitative methods.Design/methodology/approachUsing Geographic Information System (GIS) and the 2011 census data a total of 19,178 people reporting Somali ancestry were mapped to SA1 level with most being in the three capital cities of original migration; Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.FindingsAccess to primary services pertinent to ASD was measured using the GIS software, some 15 per cent of these cities Somali children were within 500 m of a General practice and 89 per cent within 2,000 m. A quarter of children were within 2,000 m of a speech pathology service access point and nearly a third (31 per cent) within 2,000 m of a psychologist. Qualitative analysis found a quite negative perspective on mental illness and ASD within the community with 85 per cent of respondents reporting a “Bad” perception of ASD within the community.Research limitations/implicationsClearly, the opportunity these data provide is to develop service models targeting need and changing perspectives of ASD within an at risk community.Originality/valueThis is the first time in Australia that issues of service access (health) for Autism suffers and their families has been analysed in a detailed geographic manner.