Today is the 7th edition of UN Day for Autism. The autism community in Nigeria is joining global counterparts to promote awareness; and demand acceptance, inclusion and appropriate action in favour of individuals battling the condition around the world, particularly Nigeria.
About Autism
Autism is a serious childhood disorder that impairs the ability of those affected to develop appropriate speech, communication, behaviour and social interaction skills. People with the condition appear normal in their looks and do not have any obvious physical features that marks them apart. Unfortunately, the level of awareness about this disorder in our country is extremely low and children affected are not being diagnosed early enough when therapy is most effective. The specific cause of autism is not known but researchers have linked it to a complex interaction of genetic and environmental factors. The number of cases of autism being reported across the world including Nigeria is significantly worrisome. In 1943 when the condition was formally reported, the prevalence rate was 1 in 10,000 births. Seventy one years after, precisely last week, a shocking report was released indicating that prevalence figure is now 1: 68! This data is from the Centre for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) in United States. Although we still don’t have precise statistics for Nigeria, professionals report they are seeing more and more of cases of this disorder. Early therapeutic and educational intervention is currently the best hope of treatment for persons affected. Unfortunately, the level of awareness and understanding about this disorder in our country still low though improving. As a result, children with this condition are not being diagnosed early enough when intervention is most effective.
About Walk4AutismNigeria Project
The “LagosWalk4Autism” is an annual road walk to promote awareness about autism spectrum disorders and commemorate United Nation’s Autism Awareness Month. It is part Of Autism Associates & CADD’s autism awareness project termed “Walk for Autism Nigeria”. The event now holds in 2 to 3 states and counting. Each year since 2007, the LagosWalk4Autism event brings hundreds of participants together on a massive fun-filled road walk from the National Stadium Surulere to the National Orthopedic Hospital Igbobi. The aim is to draw public and government attention to issues concerning persons and families. Following the massive turn out of participants and intensive media coverage of the 2011 edition, the federal government through Professor OnyebuchiChukwu , Hon. Minister of Health and his then counterparts in Women Affairs and Education, promptly ratified and declared April 2nd of each year beginning 2012 as autism awareness Day in Nigeria. Honourable Jerry Alagbaoso of the Federal House of Representatives also introduced a bill for persons with autism and related developmental disabilities. That bill has progressed through certain critical stages now. With the help of Punuka Foundation and a number individuals and families, we are able to provide help and hope to children with autism from poor families across Nigeria. People with autism require a range of professional services and the cost of getting each of these services is way beyond the reach of an average Nigerian family. We depend on donations from Chief & Chief Mrs. Anthony Idigbes’Punuka Foundation and individuals such as Mrs.UcheMbagwu; Mrs LizzyAtuche ;Mrs.IfuekoKaribi-Whyte and others to bring this cost down and in some cases offer full scholarships. Through the assistance of Autism Associates and Punuka Foundation, we were able to pilot a train-the-trainer international symposium in May 2013. Fifty teachers and fifty medical personnel from Lagos state owned facilities were trained in the first stage of an autism intervention and inclusion course. By the time they complete stages 2 and 3 of the training, they will in turn train colleagues in their Local Government Areas. God and fund-willing, we intend to extend this model to other publicly owned facilities in other regions of the country.
Our Message for 2014
Our message for this year is to alert all children and adults in Nigeria to the fact that there is now a greater chance of meeting someone with autism in their schools, places of worship and other public places. With the shocking rise in reported cases of autism, there is likelihood that every one of you present here, will in your life time, meet at least 5 persons with autism spectrum disorder. You should be prepared to welcome other kids with autism in your classrooms. We want each one of you to appreciate differences and understand that everyone has strengths and weaknesses.
Discrimination, Segregation and exclusion are not good for anyone. People with autism and their families do not want to be discriminated against. Just like you and I and everyone else, they want to be understood, respected and loved and accepted. They are not ólodo’orokpoko’’ and are not possessed by demons, evil spirits. Just like you and I, they are different. They have strengths and weaknesses just like each one of us here. If you read the flyers we gave to you today, you would see some of the strengths and weaknesses of most individuals living with autism. Parents and teachers are encouraged to focus on what a child can and love to do rather than on the child’s deficits. The more we focus on ‘this-abilities’ rather than on disability, the more successful children becomes. Information, understanding, patience and tolerance will help us accommodate and support all persons particularly those who are different.
Appeal to Federal House of Representatives
Ahead of April 2ndand on behalf of the autism community, we appreciate the Federal House of Representatives under the leadership of Honourable AminuTambuwal for entertaining the much needed bill for autism and other developmental disabilities. This is indeed a first of its kind in West Africa, if not all of Africa. We are therefore, appealing that the bill be passed and offered to our community as an end of centennial year gift.
Appeal to the Honourable Minister of Health
Children with autism spectrum disorders in our country can be picked up much earlier and they can benefit from an early intervention. We demand an immediate development of a screening instrument for autism spectrum disorders as well as the formal inclusion of autism screening in the routine health check-ups for children. We further appeal for the establishment of a national autism advisory board or committee that will design a national autism strategy for early diagnosis and intervention.
Appeal to the Honourable Minister of Education
We urgently want autism to be placed in a category distinct from mental retardation. This is because autism is not mental retardation. We further request that you investigate whether the annual budgetary allocation for special education, has ever been applied to autism and related conditions.
Finally, we appeal to the general public to learn the signs of autism and be a voice for autism today! God bless you more.
Okey-Martins NWOKOLO
Centre for Autism Developmental Disabilities (CADD).
okmartinsgmail.com
08039112839
0 comments:
Post a Comment