Koforidua: A father whose triplets were each diagnosed with autism in 2020 is pleading for urgent and affordable early intervention, as Starminds therapy centre opens the Eastern Regional first autism parent training series in Koforidua. The programme brought together over 60 caregivers, health professionals, and educators to strengthen child development and promote inclusion for children with autism and related conditions.

According to Ghana News Agency, the event was held at the Koforidua Library under the theme 'Empowering Parents, Raising Abilities.' It was organised by Starminds, a Ghanaian therapy and intervention centre, in partnership with AfriVAN. Mr. Kwabena Barnafo, a parent attending the training, shared the emotional and practical challenges of raising triplets diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. He explained the lack of early guidance compounded their difficulties and noted that therapy brought significant progress.

Mrs. Sandra Quayson, Speech and Language Therapist, who is also Founder and CEO of Starminds, described the event as a milestone in her organisation's efforts to support families living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and related developmental conditions. She urged parents to take active roles in their children's development, describing them as 'the best therapists' and 'the first to meet their children in life.'

Mrs. Zahra Ibrahim, Speech Therapist, highlighted the importance of daily interaction and meaningful communication for child development. She explained that reading aloud to children stimulated brain growth and language acquisition. She cautioned against confusing noise exposure with language development.

Occupational Therapist Ms. Stacey Antwi outlined child development as a process of acquiring physical, social, and cognitive skills. She said milestone ranges were critical indicators and emphasized the influence of environment and experience on development. She warned against prolonged screen use, which could slow growth.

Dr. Gyanwa Opare-Addo, a specialist psychiatrist at the Eastern Regional Hospital, addressed the medical and neurological aspects of developmental challenges. She identified autism, ADHD, and intellectual disabilities as common disorders in Ghana and stressed the need for early recognition and intervention. She noted that structured support is crucial for children with ADHD.

Starminds provides therapy in speech and language, occupational therapy, and autism-specific interventions, and trains parents, teachers, and caregivers. The Eastern Regional training series comes amid calls for expanded autism services in Ghana. Experts say early diagnosis and intervention significantly improve outcomes for children, but stigma, limited awareness, and a shortage of trained professionals remain barriers. The event continued with interactive sessions where parents and caregivers learned strategies to apply in homes, schools, and communities.