Global panorama of developmental disabilities

In many of these countries, disability constitutes a stigma and children are neglected and discriminated against. We are now carrying out a number of population-based studies to determine the prevalence of various neurodevelopmental disorders such as cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, intellectual disability, communication disorders, learning disorders, etc. Another problem is that the inadequate resources available are used on old and ineffective methods. We therefore conduct a number of studies in which we evaluate newly developed, low-cost interventions that can be used in low resource settings where there are no trained professionals.

We also participate in a UNICEF / WHO project aimed at developing a global system for early detection and early treatment of children with developmental disorders that can be used to develop national programmes in low and middle income countries.

Research projects

• Cerebral palsy in Uganda; risk factors, intervention and epidemiology (CURIE)
• Developmental Disabilities in low and middle income countries: Early detection and intervention

Group members

Angelina Kakooza-Mwesige, lecturer, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
Ann Christin Eliasson, professor, Kvinnors & Barns hälsa, Karolinska Institutet
Carin Andrews, PhD student, Kvinnors & Barns hälsa, Karolinska Institutet
Gillian Saloojee, PhD, Malamulele Onward, Johannesburg, South Africa
Keron Ssebyala, administrative manager, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
Lukia Namaganda, PhD student, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
Francis U Ekwan, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda

Collaborators

Diane Damiano, director, NIH, Bethesda, USA
UNICEF – Raoul Bejmero, HQ, New York, New York

Fundings

Vetenskapsrådet
Stiftelsen Frimurare barnhuset