Worried by the high rate of discrimination against children with autism in the country, experts have called for improved awareness and support for the special children.
The experts, who spoke at the sixth edition of the yearly autism conference, organised by Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), reiterated that only through improved support could Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and its life-long effects be reduced in the country.
Specifically, they called for better understand of the condition, the need for early detection, management and treatment of the disorder, to enhance the level of acceptance an autistic child would get in life.
Autism is a general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development. These disorders are characterised, in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors. At least one in every 150 children around the world is autistic.
Executive Director, Blazing Trails International Centre (BTIC), Dr. Anna Lamikanra, said evidences abound that autism is often poorly managed because of inadequate knowledge of how to go about it.
Lamikanra said that the primary objective of all stakeholders is to help the general public understand that children with disability can live a meaningful life, if they are detected early and given required specialised care.
She noted that autism appears in children 24 months after their birth, saying that parents often think they have a normal child until the regression in their behaviour sets, adding that a medical test can reveal which child would develop autism.
The main features of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), she said, are problems with social communication and interaction.
“Autism children have unusual behaviour, such as failing to make eye contact, not responding to their name or playing with toys in unusual, repetitive ways. These children may suddenly become withdrawn or aggressive or lose language skills they have already acquired,” Lamikanra said.
Provost, Paine College in the United States, Dr. Marcus Tillery, added at the forum that many children across the world live with autism but often kept behind the scene.
The main challenges, he said, are lack of accurate population statistics, lack of proper diagnosis and inadequate manpower to handle the disorder.
Tillery said that it was high time the authorities had improved efforts to give legislative support and its implementation, particularly in the area of teaching and non-discrimination against children with autism.
