The Centre for Autism Research in Africa (CARA) is an interdisciplinary team of professionals with the overall aim of contributing to understanding autism on the African continent and to address the growing treatment gap between the need for mental health services related to autism and the access to equitable and quality services.

The Centre presented numerous papers and symposia at the recent International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR) in California. Some of the highlights of the work presented by the Centre included:

Dr Nola Chambers presented her findings on the implementation of Autism Navigator® and the feasibility of Autism Navigator® training in South Africa. Autism Navigator® is a web-based platform providing information and tools about autism with the overall aim of bridging “the gap between science and community practice”.

John-Joe Dawson-Squibb examined parent education training using an implementation science approach taking into consideration two parent education programmes in a South African setting. He also reviewed the evidence of the National Autistic Society’s Early Bird parent education training programmes to identify gaps and recommendations for future research.

Sarosha Pillay provided insight into children with autism in the Western Cape, South Africa. Her presentation looked for children with ASD in a comprehensive school database, and left the audience asking a very important question: Where are all the children with autism in South Africa?