By D.I. Laary
Koforidua, Sept 24, GNA – A Ghanaian father of triplets in the Eastern Region has urged parents, doctors, and policymakers to prioritise early intervention for children with autism, warning that delayed support worsens family struggles and child development outcomes.
Mr. Kwabena Barnafo, whose triplets are all on the autism spectrum, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that his family’s journey highlighted the gaps in early guidance and structured support for children with developmental challenges.
“As a first-time parent of triplets, you are thrown into a world you have no experience in. We began to realise they were not meeting milestones, but nobody told us we needed early intervention,” Barnafo said.
His children, now aged four and a half, were born during the COVID-19 pandemic era, which restricted social interaction.
According to Mr Barnafo, the nuclear family structure also limited extended family support.
He explained: “The initial assessment was that because it was COVID, everybody was indoors. But by two and a half years, the milestones were still missing, and we were left overwhelmed.”
Mr. Barnafo described the lack of early medical guidance as a “missing gap” that forced him and his wife to seek answers themselves.
“We were not in denial. We wanted to help our children, but we were not directed to therapy until much later. That delay cost us precious time,” he said.
When the family finally accessed therapy, progress became visible. “At three years, they were very hypersensitive, they could not sit or focus. After therapy, they can now look at your face, follow instructions, and even engage,” he stated, adding “Communication is not just about talking, but also reacting.”
For Mr. Barnafo, cost and accessibility remain major barriers for families. “Therapy can cost up to 200 cedis per hour, and ideally children need sessions five times a week. That is 4,000 cedis a month. Not every parent can afford that,” he said.
He called for stronger state support and investment in professional training, saying: “This cannot remain a burden on families alone. Without intervention, we risk raising a generation of children denied their potential.”
He urged Ghanaians to change perceptions of autism, “Too many parents are hiding their children at home. These children are smart, loyal, and passionate. With the right support, they can be more productive than average.
“Look at inventors like Edison and Einstein, who are believed to have been on the spectrum. With the right support, they can excel. We should exploit the positives.”
Adding, “What is needed is not pity, but structures that allow our children to communicate, contribute, and thrive. This is not a want. This is a need,” he said.
For Mr. Barnafo, the lesson is clear: “Aggressive early intervention makes the difference. Let parents know what help is available, let them understand how it can change their child’s life. Because the older they get, the harder it becomes.”
This triplets’ story was shared during the opening of the Starminds Eastern Regional first autism parent training series in Koforidua, where parents, caregivers, and specialists gathered to discuss autism and other developmental needs.
Held at the Koforidua Library under the theme “Empowering Parents, Raising Abilities,” the event was organised by Starminds, a Ghanaian therapy and intervention centre, in partnership with AfriYAN.
Mrs. Sandra Quayson, Founder of Starminds, said the programme aimed to empower caregivers and reduce stigma. “Parents are the best therapists children first meet. Once a child is diagnosed, they must become champions of their growth,” she said.
Specialist psychiatrist at the Eastern Regional Hospital Dr. Gyanwa Opare-Addo, told participants that autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and intellectual disabilities were now more common in Ghana.
“These are conditions that affect the developing brain. Early recognition and therapy can change outcomes, but families must be guided from the start,” she said.
Mrs. Zhara Ibrahim, a speech therapist, emphasized the importance of daily parent-child interaction, particularly within the home environment.
“One-on-one engagement is what children need most. Language is not noise; it is meaningful connection,” she said, urging parents to read and converse consistently with their children.
Occupational therapist Ms. Stacey Antwi highlighted key developmental milestones—such as sitting independently by eight months, babbling or using simple words by one year, and walking by eighteen months.
She cautioned that delaying intervention when these milestones are missed can lead to long-term challenges for children.
“By eight months, a child should sit independently. If delays persist, families must seek help. Early detection prevents lifelong struggles,” she said.
The Starminds Eastern Regional first autism parent training series, which brought together around 60 participants, seeks to build awareness, train parents, and integrate therapy into schools and homes across Ghana.
Organisers say it is part of a movement to ensure inclusion and access to early support.
GNA
Edited by Benjamin Mensah