Impact of Psycho-Social Interventions on the Well-Being of Autistic Children in Rehabilitation Centres in North Central Nigeria

Kwaghlu Manasseh Murega, Alozie E. N., Ejinkoennye U. B.

Abstract


This study investigated the impact of psycho-social interventions on the well-being of autistic children in rehabilitation centres across North Central Nigeria. The research was motivated by the increasing prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the region and the observed gap in structured, evidence-based caregiver support within rehabilitation institutions. Despite caregivers playing a critical role in shaping the developmental outcomes of autistic children, many face emotional exhaustion, societal stigma, and inadequate institutional support, which may negatively influence their caregiving effectiveness and, by extension, child well-being. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design and targeted a population of 1,826 registered caregivers in government-approved rehabilitation centres. A sample of 327 caregivers was selected using simple random sampling. Data were collected using a validated structured questionnaire titled “Psycho-Social Interventions and Caregiver Behaviour Inventory (PSICBI)”. Data were analyzed using mean and standard deviation, with a benchmark mean of 3.00 for interpreting significance. Findings revealed that several psycho-social interventions including individual counselling (x̄ = 3.42), group therapy (x̄ = 3.31), and caregiver-child bonding exercises (x̄ = 3.55) are actively implemented and positively influence the emotional, social, and adaptive development of autistic children. However, the limited availability of mental health professionals (x̄ = 2.78) emerged as a significant gap. Caregivers’ behaviours such as empathy (x̄ = 3.70), consistent emotional support (x̄ = 3.48), and structured routines (x̄ = 3.25) were found to enhance child well-being, while emotional burnout and stress-induced withdrawal hindered optimal care. The study concludes that while psycho-social interventions contribute meaningfully to the well-being of autistic children, their effectiveness is constrained by caregiver stress and lack of institutional support. It recommends improved access to trained mental health professionals, regular psycho-educational programs, targeted caregiver support policies, and community-based stigma reduction strategies to promote sustainable, high-quality care for autistic children in institutional settings.


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