Waganesh A Zeleke
Biographic Data
| ID | 1672949 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Waganesh A Zeleke |
| GIVEN NAMES | Waganesh A |
| FAMILY NAME | Zeleke |
| SIGNATURE | ZELEKE W A |
| AFFILIATIONS | Duquesne University |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-4604-336X |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 10 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 6 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 10 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2017 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2025 |
| H-INDEX | 2 |
The Social and Communicational Profile of Children Identified with Autism in Ethiopia
Background: In Ethiopia, children identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families face substantial challenges in obtaining timely diagnosis and appropriate services, including limited public awareness, cultural stigma, and shortages of trained professionals. Understanding how social and communication difficulties manifest in children identified with ASD within Ethiopian service settings is essential for designing culturally and …
Narrative exposure group therapy for posttraumatic stress symptoms among a small group of internally displaced women in Ethiopia: An uncontrolled pre–postintervention study
This feasibility study provides preliminary support for narrative exposure therapy as a promising intervention for posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms among displaced women in Ethiopia. Further controlled trials are needed to evaluate efficacy. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved)
Hanging on by a Thread”: The Lived Experience of Parents of Children with Medical Complexity
Caregivers of children with medical complexity have a unique experience of trauma and resilience. This study will inform interdisciplinary medical providers about the mental health and resiliency experiences of this population to support more effective healthcare practices
Challenges of transition to adolescence among children with autism spectrum disorder: An exploratory qualitative study of parents’ and teachers’ perspectives
Evidence about the transition experiences of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) into adolescence is lacking in low-income country settings, even though most children with ASD live in these countries. This study explored the challenges of transitioning to adolescence among children with ASD based on data from purposely selected samples of 11 parents and six teachers. The findings showed that children with ASD experienced various maturati…
Assessing the Effectiveness of Professional Development Training on Autism and Culturally Responsive Practice for Educators and Practitioners in Ethiopia
This study examines the effect of professional development training on educators' and practitioners' knowledge of Autism and the use of culturally responsive practices. Using a single group, pre-post design, data was gathered from 34 educators and health professionals (i.e., teachers, counselors, psychologists, therapists, therapeutic care workers, social workers, and nurses) in Ethiopia. A week-long training covering ASDs and culturally responsi…
Developing a Framework to Increase Access to Mental Health Services for Children With Special Needs in Ethiopia
The availability and accessibility of Westernized mental health diagnostic processes and evidence-based treatments are limited in developing countries, such as Ethiopia (Kakuma et al., 2011 ; Hohenshil et al., 2013 ; Wondie, 2014 ; Zeleke et al., 2017b ). Similar to other developing nations, there is (a) a lack of health care services for mental practices to build on, (b) limited services that are well-suited to the culture (Wondie, 2014 ; Zeleke…
Mental Health in Ethiopia: An Exploratory Study of Counseling Alignment with Culture
The path to an autism spectrum disorders diagnosis in Ethiopia: Parent perspective
This study explores the common characteristics of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and the available diagnostic and intervention currently practiced for children with ASDs in Ethiopia based on parents' experience. Data gathered from 100 parents in Ethiopia detail the difficulties families face when they suspect their child has an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The data indicate Ethiopian parents pursued a diagnosis of ASD after not…
Using Self-Regulated Learning Strategies to Develop Students' Multicultural Counseling Competency
This study examines the effect of self-regulated learning strategies on students' multicultural competency development. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected from 26 students who took a semester-long multicultural counseling course. Results show statistically significant improvement in students' multicultural awareness and knowledge and statistical insignificance in multicultural skill development compared to their level of competence …
Attitude, Risk Perception and Readiness of Ethiopian Potential Migrants and Returnees Towards Unsafe Migration
In Ethiopia, where there is high prevalence of migration to the Middle East and Europe, a multitude of studies have focused on the relationships between the role of smugglers, push and pull factors, and illegal migration. However, only a fraction of studies have examined the context from the individual and collective mind-set perspective. The process of the decision to migrate may be influenced by individualsâ€TM beliefs about illegal migration. …
Using Self-Regulated Learning Strategies to Develop Students' Multicultural Counseling Competency
This study examines the effect of self-regulated learning strategies on students' multicultural competency development. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected from 26 students who took a semester-long multicultural counseling course. Results show statistically significant improvement in students' multicultural awareness and knowledge and statistical insignificance in multicultural skill development compared to their level of competence …
Attitude, Risk Perception and Readiness of Ethiopian Potential Migrants and Returnees Towards Unsafe Migration
In Ethiopia, where there is high prevalence of migration to the Middle East and Europe, a multitude of studies have focused on the relationships between the role of smugglers, push and pull factors, and illegal migration. However, only a fraction of studies have examined the context from the individual and collective mind-set perspective. The process of the decision to migrate may be influenced by individualsâ€TM beliefs about illegal migration. …
Attitude, Risk Perception and Readiness of Ethiopian Potential Migrants and Returnees Towards Unsafe Migration
In Ethiopia, where there is high prevalence of migration to the Middle East and Europe, a multitude of studies have focused on the relationships between the role of smugglers, push and pull factors, and illegal migration. However, only a fraction of studies have examined the context from the individual and collective mind-set perspective. The process of the decision to migrate may be influenced by individualsâ€TM beliefs about illegal migration. …
The path to an autism spectrum disorders diagnosis in Ethiopia: Parent perspective
This study explores the common characteristics of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and the available diagnostic and intervention currently practiced for children with ASDs in Ethiopia based on parents' experience. Data gathered from 100 parents in Ethiopia detail the difficulties families face when they suspect their child has an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The data indicate Ethiopian parents pursued a diagnosis of ASD after not…
Using Self-Regulated Learning Strategies to Develop Students' Multicultural Counseling Competency
This study examines the effect of self-regulated learning strategies on students' multicultural competency development. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected from 26 students who took a semester-long multicultural counseling course. Results show statistically significant improvement in students' multicultural awareness and knowledge and statistical insignificance in multicultural skill development compared to their level of competence …
Mental Health in Ethiopia: An Exploratory Study of Counseling Alignment with Culture
Developing a Framework to Increase Access to Mental Health Services for Children With Special Needs in Ethiopia
The availability and accessibility of Westernized mental health diagnostic processes and evidence-based treatments are limited in developing countries, such as Ethiopia (Kakuma et al., 2011 ; Hohenshil et al., 2013 ; Wondie, 2014 ; Zeleke et al., 2017b ). Similar to other developing nations, there is (a) a lack of health care services for mental practices to build on, (b) limited services that are well-suited to the culture (Wondie, 2014 ; Zeleke…
Assessing the Effectiveness of Professional Development Training on Autism and Culturally Responsive Practice for Educators and Practitioners in Ethiopia
This study examines the effect of professional development training on educators' and practitioners' knowledge of Autism and the use of culturally responsive practices. Using a single group, pre-post design, data was gathered from 34 educators and health professionals (i.e., teachers, counselors, psychologists, therapists, therapeutic care workers, social workers, and nurses) in Ethiopia. A week-long training covering ASDs and culturally responsi…
Hanging on by a Thread”: The Lived Experience of Parents of Children with Medical Complexity
Caregivers of children with medical complexity have a unique experience of trauma and resilience. This study will inform interdisciplinary medical providers about the mental health and resiliency experiences of this population to support more effective healthcare practices
Challenges of transition to adolescence among children with autism spectrum disorder: An exploratory qualitative study of parents’ and teachers’ perspectives
Evidence about the transition experiences of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) into adolescence is lacking in low-income country settings, even though most children with ASD live in these countries. This study explored the challenges of transitioning to adolescence among children with ASD based on data from purposely selected samples of 11 parents and six teachers. The findings showed that children with ASD experienced various maturati…
The Social and Communicational Profile of Children Identified with Autism in Ethiopia
Background: In Ethiopia, children identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families face substantial challenges in obtaining timely diagnosis and appropriate services, including limited public awareness, cultural stigma, and shortages of trained professionals. Understanding how social and communication difficulties manifest in children identified with ASD within Ethiopian service settings is essential for designing culturally and …
Narrative exposure group therapy for posttraumatic stress symptoms among a small group of internally displaced women in Ethiopia: An uncontrolled pre–postintervention study
This feasibility study provides preliminary support for narrative exposure therapy as a promising intervention for posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms among displaced women in Ethiopia. Further controlled trials are needed to evaluate efficacy. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved)
Psychology (8 works) · Family and Disability Support Research (6 works) · Medicine (5 works) · Autism (4 works) · Autism Spectrum Disorder Research (4 works) · Psychiatry (4 works) · Social Psychology (4 works) · Social Psychology (4 works) · Autism spectrum disorder (3 works) · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development (3 works)