Insufficient nutrients, diet can contribute to autism

Co-founder and Trustee of the  Thoughtful House Autism Foundation,  Omagbitse Barrow who made this known during a briefing to flag-off the annual Autism Walk to create awareness on the disorder said going by experience, the proper management of autism should include a combination of interventions, including but not limited to special education, behavioural therapy, dietary, […]

Co-founder and Trustee of the  Thoughtful House Autism Foundation,  Omagbitse Barrow who made this known during a briefing to flag-off the annual Autism Walk to create awareness on the disorder said going by experience, the proper management of autism should include a combination of interventions, including but not limited to special education, behavioural therapy, dietary, nutritional, medical as well as occupational interventions.
“We also strongly recommend that parents seek early intervention, working with doctors and medical professionals who understand autism and interventionists that can provide developmental assessments, behavioural therapy and special education.”
According to Barrow, the incidence of autism spectrum disorders continues to increase among children all over the world, including Nigeria.
“Statistics show that globally, the incidence of autism is somewhere around 1 in 100 new births, meaning that more children will develop autistic signs and will need specialized education, treatment and care.”
He said even though  there is so much research going on in Europe and Americas with new treatments being tested and tried each day, medical professionals are  unfortunately largely unaware of autism and often seem unable to respond to the needs of parents here in Nigeria and the rest of Africa.
“We need more paedtricians and other doctors to invest in becoming autism specialists, so that the choices available to families in Nigeria can increase and the dependence on overseas medical visits and the attendant medical costs can be eliminated.”