Why children with autism should not be discriminated

Autism is a general term used to describe a group of complex developmental brain disorder and autism spectrum disorders are caused by a combination of genes and environmental influences. These disorders are characterised in varying degrees by social and behavioural challenges, as well as respective behaviours. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Autism affects […]

Autism is a general term used to describe a group of complex developmental brain disorder and autism spectrum disorders are caused by a combination of genes and environmental influences.
These disorders are characterised in varying degrees by social and behavioural challenges, as well as respective behaviours.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Autism affects as many as 1 in 150 children and 1 in 94 boys. It is also the fastest growing serious developmental disability in the world, more children would be diagnosed with autism this year than with diabetes, cancer and AIDS combined, boys are four times more likely than girls to have autism, there is no medical detection or cure for autism yet but early diagnosis and intervention improve outcomes.
An expert on special education, Mrs Khadeeja Oluronke Katagum has described discrimination as the major challenge facing children with autism disability in the country.
Mrs Katagum who is the founder of Zamarr Institute said that unless measures are taken, the menace will continue to affect the lives of children in the country.
“The major challenge that children with autism are facing is discrimination. It is rather unfortunate that people who do not have special needs are inpatient with the children that have autism disability. The parents of these children have special needs because they did not do anything wrong, they did not ask to have a child like that. Even with physical challenges also, parents did not ask for it,” she said.
According to Katagum, children with autism need attention, their parents also need attention. It is not sympathy that they are looking for but empathy. Therefore, we should try to empatize with the parents.
She advised that the only solution to discrimination was that the children with special needs should have confidence and feel better about themselves.
“People should show them love, care and accommodate them. This will go a long way in building confidence in them and make them to be better and feel accommodated,” She said.
She added that early intervention is the key that could improve the lives of children with autism.
Katagum explained that the primary reasons for early intervention include, enhancing the child’s development, to provide support and assistance to the family and to maximize the child’s and family benefit to society.
She said that the mission of Zamarr institute is to improve the quality of lives of children and adult with special education needs, adding that the focus of the institute is to provide early intervention and programming to ensure the success of children with special education needs, to provide guidance, counselling and support for families who have children with special need, and to promote the independence and wellbeing of people with special needs among others.