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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 2nd
and 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
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