Caring for autism sufferers in Nigeria

Recent report has it that Nigeria is among the countries with noticeable cases of autism, with about 380,000 children. This was disclosed at the World Autism Awareness Day held at   the United States Embassy in Lagos.  The event, which was organised in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, is  to sensitise Nigerians on the disorder in order to get appropriate cure. Addressing the audience, the United States envoy to Nigeria, Mr. James Entwistle noted that autism is a global problem that affects one of every 68 children in the United States,adding that the disorder affects all classes and races in the country. We may ask what is autism. Autism,a  spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain. Scientists do not know yet exactly what causes these differences for most people with ASD. However, some people with ASD have a known difference, such as a genetic condition. There
are multiple causes of ASD, although most are not yet known. There is often nothing about how people with ASD look that sets them apart from other people, but they may communicate, interact, behave, and learn in ways that are different from most other people. The learning, thinking, and problem-solving abilities of people with the disorder can range from gifted to severely challenged. Some people with ASD need many help in their daily lives; others need less. ASD begins before the age of three and last throughout a person’s life. Some children with ASD show hints of future problems within the first few months of life. In others, symptoms may not show up until 24 months or later, while some children with an ASD seem to develop normally until around 18 to 24 months of age and then they stop gaining new skills, or even lose the skills they once had. Studies have shown that one third to half of parents of children with an ASD noticed a problem before
their child’s first birthday, and nearly 80 –90 percent saw problems by 24 months of age. Estimates put it that autism is the third most common childhood disorder in Nigeria and is the fastest growing developmental disability. Before now, children with autism are also thought to be schizophrenic or mentally retarded because of some ‘odd behaviour they present with which, due to lack of understanding, can be frightening for people around them to witness. There is fear and stigma associated with autism and parents are sometimes blamed for their child’s autism. The truth, of course, is that autism is not due to bad parenting. It is not due to witchcraft. The children are not witches, as alluded to in certain places in Nigeria. It is important to recognise the early signs of autism and seek early intervention services. One of the most important things a parent or caregiver can do is to learn the early signs of autism and become familiar with the
typical developmental milestones in the your child. The following ‘red flags’ may indicate your child is at risk for an autism spectrum disorder. No big smiles or other warm, joyful expressions by six months or thereafter,back-and-forth sharing of sounds, smiles or other facial expressions by nine months,lack of babbling by 12 months, no back-and-forth gestures such as pointing, showing, reaching or waving by 12 months,no words by 16 months, lack of meaningful two-word phrases by 24 months and loss of speech, babbling or social skills at any age.
Fortunately, some people with autism are able to live relatively independent lives, but others may have learning and behavioral disabilities that mean they need constant help and support. That is why we are calling on the various governments, corporate bodies and non governmental organisations to be at fore front in taking the initiatives to provide requisite and adequate  training facilities for such group of children to enable them live healthier and normal  lives like their peers