Why Autism remains a myth in Nigeria
Research has revealed that Autism is one of the most common birth disorders that affect the emotional and mental functioning of a child.
Others, which include Congenital CMV and Birth Defects, Intraventricular Hemorrhage (IVH), Phenylketonuria (PKU), Zika Virus and Pregnancy, Spina Bifida, Progeria: HutchinsonGilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS), Down Syndrome: Trisomy 21 and Congenital Heart Defects (CHDs), are seen in some children when they are born which is of no fault of theirs.
Clinical Director, Our Lady of Guadalupe Health Foundation/Autism Centre, Dr Izuwa Doris, said Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with speech and nonverbal communication, social skills and repetitive rigid behaviours which affect about 1 in 59 children “(USA based CDC prevalence rate), more in boys than girls.”
She said though there is no known cause of ASD, but predisposing factors are combinations of genetic and environmental factors. “Because autism is a spectrum disorder, each person has a distinct set of strengths or challenges and can range from highly skilled to severely challenged. Some may require significant support in their daily lives, while others may need less support and, in some cases, live entirely independently.”
Explaining the challenges of ASD, she said, there are various challenges associated with the condition. They include:
Communication: Where the child finds it extremely hard to talk, speak in sentences
and understand what is being said to them. It’s as if you’re an English man leaving in France for the first time. Have you ever wondered how difficult it is to understand the mumbo jumbo when people say things in long sentences? It’s a world filled with people trying to follow rules of grammar and syntax yet so variable to comprehend.
The difficulty affects the ability to request and socialize hence, the various behavioural exhibitions might be seen in them.
Social Interaction: this is when the child really wants to make friends, to be loved and hugged but do not know how. Because of various social cues with endless differences, he or she appears aloof, indifferent and retreat into his or her own world. How do you expect them to come to you when they can’t read your mind or feel indifference with aggression on your face? With the changes in your facial expression, they would prefer to look elsewhere.
Dr Izuwah also said, children with ASD are wired differently such that they can hear and smell things from far away but, added that the perception that such children are possessed is a myth and not reality.
“We must understand that children with ASD can be talented like other children if they are given the needed opportunities by attending to their needs and by using what they have to secure their future as well as giving them happiness.
She said we must understand that they are children and Autism does not typify them, adding that they also have the right to education and good health care and consideration should be given to them despite their different outlook in life.
“As their faces are different, thoughts and talents are too; except that society has put a mark on it and some FAT (Fabulous Autistic and Talented) children are different by no choice of theirs,” she added.
Dr Izuwah also said, due to poor understanding and lack of awareness, ASD still remains a myth in Nigeria leading to denial in parents, stigmatization and discrimination in our communities, adding that due to the fear of the unknown, many of the children withered away because of lack of proper care and high cost of few existing facilities.
Based on experience as one who has worked in the field of autism for more than 15 years, as a parent and a caregiver under the umbrella of Our Lady of Guadalupe Health Foundation/Autism Centre (OLG) she said, she has seen untold suffering and problems faced by parents right from family disharmony and blame culture, draining of family resources, limited autism therapy centres and rejection from both school and the community.
“I have seen parents being told off by schools because of threat of withdrawal of other neurotypical children by parents. I have witnessed years of seclusion and abuse on the child amongst many other things, parents going into severe depression and loss of jobs because they couldn’t cope with behavioural and health challenges of their children.
“Do you know that ASD can affect any race, social status and religion? It could have been you. This calls for action and the need to implement strategies that could foster independence in life as many of these children have talents,” she said.
“These set of children can be helped” Dr Izuwah said and called for the support of everyone and policy that can help give quality support to children with ASD.
“We can help by creating awareness, support and fund autism centre and build more to cater for indigent children. We need appropriate policies, we need massive training for both health and educational sector professionals, we need more; and yes, we can do it if you have the will,” she said.
Dr Izuwa added that every human being has the same right to grow, develop, be accepted, and perform their role in society including achieving some level of independence.
“The special children can only get there if they have our support. Remember every child has a talent, and so too children with ASD and we can be the key to an effective and appropriate therapeutic opportunity a child could have,” she stated.