Evaluation of Family Support Services for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Lagos State

Families raising children with autism spectrum disorder in Nigeria face significant challenges in accessing appropriate educational, therapeutic, and social support services, with the burden disproportionately borne by mothers and concentrated in urban areas with specialist infrastructure. This study evaluates the availability, accessibility, and adequacy of family support services for children with autism spectrum disorder in Lagos State, South West Nigeria. A professional evaluation design was employed, combining structured surveys administered to seventy-four families of children with ASD recruited through five special needs schools and autism advocacy organizations, interviews with eighteen service providers and special education professionals, and review of Lagos State special needs education policy documents. The Family Systems Theory and Social Ecology Model were applied as analytical frameworks. Results indicate that access to specialist autism assessment services required an average wait time of 7.4 months and was restricted to eight recognized facilities, all located in Lagos Island and Mainland, creating significant geographic barriers for families in Badagry, Epe, and Ikorodu divisions. Applied Behavior Analysis therapy was unaffordable for 81% of surveyed families at current market rates. Caregiver burnout scores were high across the sample, with 69% of primary caregivers, predominantly mothers, meeting burnout criteria. Support groups provided by NGOs were the highest-rated service component for family wellbeing. Recommendations include Lagos State autism services policy development, school-based ABA therapy delivery models, caregiver respite care programmes, and insurance reimbursement mandates for autism diagnostic and therapeutic services. Keywords: autism spectrum disorder, family support, Lagos State, special needs, caregiving.