Nigeria joined the rest of the world yesterday to observe the World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD). Autism is a brain development disorder which manifests in difficulties in social interaction, language development and learning skills in the sufferer. It is also associated with intellectual disability, difficulties in psychomotor coordination, attention and physical health issues such as sleep and gastrointestinal disturbances. Autism is usually noticeable among children and toddlers but can also attack adults. It is estimated that about one per cent of the world population is afflicted with autism.
The 2017 WAAD, organised by the United Nations Department of Public Information and Department of Economic and Social Affairs with the theme” Towards Autonomy and Self-Determination” is instructive of the importance the international community attaches to autism because it addresses the legal and human rights concerns as it relates to rights of persons with disabilities, even as Nigerians continue to live in self-denial about the increasing cases of autism. The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) recognises the right of persons with disabilities to independence of person and to individual autonomy as a human being full personhood, with the right to take decisions and enter into contract. The event therefore stressed the urgent need to ensure that autism suffereres live like normal human beings.
The exact cause of autism is still being investigated but is closely associated with genetic and environmental conditions for which there is no known cure. However, there is a range of strategies and methods used in helping sufferers overcome learning disorders and early detection is very helpful to determine the kind of therapy that is extended to people with autism. The early signs are varied and manifest in various forms from one individual to another but the most common include intense struggle with ordinary activity, extraordinary sensitivity and extreme lack of sensitivity, repetitive actions, attachments to objects and aloofness. Others are struggle in communication, fascination and fixation, self injury and obvious delay in development.
Despite the obvious learning and behavioural challenges faced by people with autism, they have been found to excel in activities like music, visual skills, math and arts. It is therefore important that early detection and proper diagnosis is carried out to determine the strength of each sufferer and focus his learning skills and abilities in that direction. Therein lies the challenge for Nigeria because of the absence of diagnostics centres across the country and the high cost associated with diagnosis where it exists.
Also, religious and superstitious beliefs about wizardry have compounded the Nigerian challenge because when parents notice unusual physical and learning behaviours in their children they run to prayer centres and spiritualists other than seek medical attention.
The autism challenge in Nigeria is enormous and on the increase because awareness about the disease is very low and the cost of therapy huge. Many Nigerians and parents in particular are unaware of autism and most times confuse it with Down’s Syndrome and Cerebral Palsy which are different diseases. The only way to overcome the autism challenge is for the government to step in and partner with other stakeholders who are already working hard to help parents and sufferers overcome the difficulties associated with the disease. Government should mount serious campaigns to educate Nigerians about the prevalence of the disease and at the same open diagnostic centres for early detection among toddlers, children and adults. Parents should also understand that autism is not death sentence and that people with autism can lead very normal lives if care and help are extended at early stages of development. The public should see the unique strength and capabilities of people with autism and encourage rather than stigmatise them.
We salute the courage of individuals who have risen to the challenge either as a result of personal experiences or the desire to render selfless service to humanity. We commend in particular the efforts of Dewdrops Community for Special Needs, Ephphatha Centre, Comprehensive Autism and Related Disabilities Education and Training (CADET) Academy, Child Development Center (CDC) and other organisations that have done well in raising awareness about the prevalence of autism as well as providing succour to parents and sufferers.
We call on corporate bodies to partner with organisations that are devoted to the autism cause, especially research-based organisations so that a cure for the malaise would be found quickly to save sufferers and parents from the enormous challenges presented by the disease.