Experts urge end to discrimination, stigmatisation of persons with autism

Foundation projects vision, legacy of late Olabode Ayo

Experts in the field of autism have called for an end to discrimination and stigmatisation of individuals with autism. They made the charge at the post-humous birthday lecture in honour of the late Gabriel Olabode Ojo, sponsored by Gabriel Olabode Ayo Foundation (GOAF), yesterday, in Lagos.

Founder, Nobelova Gradani Psychoeducational Services, Helen Oshikoya, said that individuals with autism should not be treated as less worthy or capable than their neuro-typical counterparts.

Oshikoya said that after detection, very little happens because they don’t have the opportunity to have intervention based on the science of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), which is proven to be the most effective treatment for children with neurodevelopmental disorders.

Programme Director, Assessure Educational, Tinuola Olaiya, revealed that challenges faced in the treatment of children with autism are man-power resources.

“Individuals with autism are geniuses. They do things that typically functioning children cannot do. Yet, they have their challenges with social communication or aberrant behaviours but they needed to be helped in coping better with the physical environment they are exposed to,” she said. She emphasised that individuals with autism have valuable skills and abilities that should be recognised and celebrated, rather than undermined or ignored.

Founder, Care for Kids Academy, Ogun State, Uju Oladele-Yusuf, revealed that while nurturing her 16 year-old daughter who has autism, she faced the challenges of societal stigmatisation, victimisation, discrimination and financial incapability being a widow.

“Autism doesn’t have a cure but it can be managed and they can live a functional life,” she stated. She, therefore, urged the government to look into training passionate people to treat and care for individuals with autism, as it is a one-on-one therapy that needs many hands.

Meanwhile, immediate family members and friends (Friends of Bourdillon) of the late Gabriel Olabode Ayo have continued to project his visions and legacy of helping the needy and less privileged and abandoned children through the foundation.

Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Abayomi Jones, said Ayo during his life time thought every child should be allowed to get their full potential.
Jones said the foundation aimed to identify and offer support in the form of scholarships to talented and brilliant children from orphanage homes and children with disabilities.

President of Baptist Academy Old Students Association (BAOSA), Akin Fatunke, said Ayo was a philanthropist whose values and contributions to humanity and charity were immense.