Grappling With Autism Challenges In Children

Ten-year-old Peter has autism; a developmental disorder that affects the brain’s normal development of social and communication skills.

The boy’s condition is so intense to such an extent that he somewhat finds it difficult to talk, resulting in his being reclusive, while exhibiting abnormal behaviour.

At a stage, his mother’s friend, Alice, and her son, Mark, visited Peter’s house and Mark went straight to Peter, saying with a smile: “Hi!’’.

To Mark’s amazement, Peter drowsily looked at him and never uttered a word; he just concentrated on playing with his toy.

A visibly upset Mark returned to his mother, crying: “I don’t think Peter likes me.’’

The situation aptly exemplifies one of the behavioural patterns of children suffering from autism.

Medical experts have been striving to unearth the main causes of autism, with a view to identifying appropriate procedures to manage the medical condition.

A medical report indicates that autism appears in the first three years of a child’s life, while the World Health Organisation (WHO) describes autism as the fastest growing serious developmental disability in the world.

Records of the National Autistic Society indicate that autism affects more males than females but the reasons for this development remain unclear.

“Autism is one of the most severe and distressing forms of mental disorder affecting one in every 100 and 50 newborns,’’ the society explains.

However, Mrs Helecott Blankson, the founder of the society, noted that there were more than 10,000 autistic persons in Nigeria.

“Autistic children experience severe learning problems which impede their capacity to interpret and understand the everyday messages from the world around them.

“An autistic child has a severe handicap, yet, he has all his senses; he has sight but cannot understand what he sees; he has ears but cannot understand what he hears.

“He or she has the ability to speak but cannot use language and they are isolated from the world because they cannot make sense of it; yet, they are capable of learning.

“After childhood, autistic persons, who are characterised by unusual speech patterns and unusual self-imposed isolation, are outwardly attractive in appearance.

“Autistic children need a proper kind of treatment, which would offer them a respectable life and ensure their right to expression through creative activities.

“A residential home school is needed to take care of autistic persons who have outgrown the primary age of mandatory education,’’ she said.

Blankson said that some rehabilitative strategies for autistic children included music therapy, sports and recreation such as watching television and dancing.

Dr Anna Lamikanra, the Executive Director, Blazing Trails International Centre, a non-governmental organisation, underscored the need to create appreciable public awareness about the plight of people suffering from autism.

Lamikanra, who is also a medical practitioner, reiterated that the creation of public awareness and the people’s education about the plight of autistic persons were critical to efforts to alleviate their suffering.

Even though an online medical journal stated that there was no cure for autism, Lamikanra, however, insisted that early diagnosis and intervention could improve the sufferers’ conditions.

Speaking on the World Autism Day on April 2, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that the UN General Assembly had adopted a new resolution to help assuage the plight of autistic persons and their families.

“World Autism Awareness Day has succeeded in calling greater international attention to autism and other developmental disorders that affect millions of people worldwide.

“The Executive Board of the World Health Assembly will also take up the subject of autism spectrum disorders at its forthcoming session in May.

“This international attention is essential to address issues like stigma of affected persons, lack of public awareness and inadequate support structures.

“Current research indicates that early interventions can help persons with autistic conditions to achieve significant gains in their abilities.

“Now is the time to work for a more inclusive society, which highlight the talents of affected people and ensured opportunities for them to realise their potential,’’ Ban said.

According to the UN scribe, the General Assembly will hold a high-level meeting on Sept. 23 to address the plight of over 500 million persons living with disabilities, including those with autism spectrum disorders.

“I hope leaders will seize this opportunity to make a meaningful difference that will help these individuals and our human family as a whole,’’ he added.

In spite of the challenges facing autistic persons, which include the absence of a cure for autism, Ban solicited the support of all the people for autistic persons.

“Let us all continue to work hand-in-hand with persons with autism spectrum disorders.

“We can help them to cultivate their strengths, while addressing the challenges they face. This will enable them to lead productive lives, which is their birthright,’’ Ban said.

Angbazo writes for News Agency of Nigeria.

Anna Angbazo