Rehabilitation healthcare professionals’ competence and confidence in differentially diagnosing deafblindness from autism spectrum disorders: a cross-sectional survey in South Africa

BACKGROUND: Early diagnosis and management of children who are deafblind is important to alleviate the effects of deafblindness on the development of the child who is deafblind and their families. However, children who are deafblind are often misdiagnosed or diagnosed late. The misdiagnosis or late diagnosis has been attributed to many factors, one of which is the competence and confidence of healthcare professionals in differentially diagnosing deafblindness from other conditions, in most cases, autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The study therefore aimed to establish the competence and confidence of rehabilitation healthcare professionals in differentially diagnosing deafblindness from ASD in the South African context. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey design was employed for the study. An online questionnaire was distributed to rehabilitation healthcare professionals (N = 78) via Survey Monkey. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Ethical clearance and permission were obtained from relevant stakeholders prior to the commencement of the study. RESULTS: Regarding the rehabilitation healthcare professionals in this study, 54% were competent in diagnosing ASD, while only 35% could correctly diagnose deafblindness. In some instances, symptoms were classified as associated with both ASD and deafblindness, when they were just those of deafblindness. Of all the rehabilitation healthcare professionals in this study, speech language therapists displayed the most knowledge of deafblindness. Furthermore, healthcare professionals who had between one and nine years of working experience had more knowledge of deafblindness than other professionals with more or less experience. CONCLUSION: Deafblindness is often underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed as ASD. This is due to the lack of competence and confidence of rehabilitation healthcare professionals in diagnosing it. The findings therefore highlight the need for training of rehabilitation healthcare professionals. Training on deafblindness could be included as part of the curriculum in the various undergraduate programs. Deafblindness could also form part of the Continuous Professional Development (CPD) training programs at various healthcare facilities. A team approach to the training would be ideal as it would facilitate peer learning and support. More research is required as it would inform evidence-based assessment, and management and support strategies for children who are deafblind and their families.