Experts Lament Low Autism Disorder Awareness 

Experts in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have lamented the low awareness of the disorder across the country.
Speaking at the Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) 12th Annual Autism Programme in Lagos, Monday, the experts stressed the need for more awareness and collaboration to help patients with the disorder.
A Consultant, Lanre Duyile, noted that the gaps in the system are multi-factorial, adding that practitioners in the country do not have the requisite training.
Duyile further emphasized the need for funding, stating that it takes five practitioners to get the support for one child.
“There is a need for more awareness and collaboration. The gaps in the system are multi-factorial.
“There is no concerted effort by the government to help ASD patients and practitioners that are here don’t have the requisite training.
“There is a need for funding. For you to get support for one child, you need 5 practitioners”, he stated.
Another Expert, Dr Muyideen Bakare, however, noted that there are more frequent cases in Nigeria due to increased awareness.
Muyideen said there were some cultural factors affecting black Africans, including the extended family system.
He further noted  that there was no national study on ASD prevalence, stating however that there are pockets of studies.
“We are getting more frequent cases due to increased awareness in Nigeria.
“There are some cultural factors affecting black Africans such as the extended family system.
“There is no national study on ASD prevalence but there are pockets of studies,” he said.
Speaking also, Another Consultant, Dr Showunmi Oladipo, stated that  the popular view of lack of data was not the reason for the government’s inability to provide the requisite infrastructure for ASD patients, adding that the problem was between the caregiver and ASD patients.