Why parents must speak up on children with autism

Autism, a mental condition among children characterised by difficulty in communicating and forming relationships with other people in the environment, has become a global health concern. Many children worldwide are said to be suffering from this condition which  is prevalent even in the developed countries. In the United State of America (USA), it is estimated […]

Autism, a mental condition among children characterised by difficulty in communicating and forming relationships with other people in the environment, has become a global health concern.
Many children worldwide are said to be suffering from this condition which  is prevalent even in the developed countries.
In the United State of America (USA), it is estimated by experts that one out of every 45 children suffers from autism.
Nigeria also accounts for a large number of children with  the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). 
What is worrying, however, is the lack of awareness creation on this health condition resulting in parents condemning their children with the condition to a life sentence. 
Experts say many parents feel too shy to talk about their child with ASD and this has not only worsened their condition but blocked chances of recovery and integration into the society.
For 10 years, Nigeria’s premiere school for autism, Patrick’s Speech and Languages Centre (PSLC) in Lagos has taken up the battle to restore hope for children with autism. 
The centre, which would clock 10 years in September this year, has rolled out series of events aimed at creating awareness about autism and changing the perception of parents who seem to have lost hope, thinking their children’s lives cannot be meaningful.
Driven by her son’s condition, Mrs Dotun Akande, founder/proprietress of the centre has since given up a flourishing career as a banker to devote her life to researching into autism and devising means of assisting children suffering from the condition.
To herald the celebration, a 4-day training tagged, ‘Healthy Relationships and Autism: A Guide to Adulthood’ facilitated by Dr. Lawrence R. Sutton, a notable American autism expert from Entering the World, an autism organization in Pittsburgh, USA, was recently conducted. Mrs. Akande explained that the choice of training to kick-start activities for the anniversary was informed by the need to reflect on the history of the centre named after her son, Patrick.
She said: “We want to continue with this trend. Typically, in our early years, we usually organise trainings every February to sensitise parents on different issues and support them with ideas about autism.
“But when Guaranty Trust Bank, which has bankrolled the centre since inception, took up the training portal, we relaxed.
 “However, events over the years have made it necessary for us to return to the drawing board.”
Other activities lined up for the anniversary include an autism awareness walk slated for April, in partnership with Vlisco; a workshop on nutrition, behaviour, speech and language, work programme uniquely developed in Patricks, vocational education, learning difficulties, self-help skills and occupational therapy as well as physical activities. There is also a variety of trainings slated for each month before September.
“On September 11 which is Patrick’s birth date, we will be having a lunch and dance drama to depict autism, in which we will be bringing together everyone that has supported us over the years. We are also launching a documentary and a handbook on autism,” Akande added.
Currently, the centre has since inception graduated 43 children with autism who have been integrated into mainstream schools.
 The proprietor explained that many adults are currently at the centre, adding that the training programme was to help children with autism transit from childhood to adulthood.
Mrs. Akande stated that autism is not a death sentence and encouraged parents not to lock up their children with autism at home because they can be transformed and become better persons.
 The founder who gave examples of her son, said he has been able to overcome the challenge and is now doing very well in the university.
She said: “It is very possible for children helped to overcome autism. I think it is just a mystique and we have demystified it that it is possible for parents to come out and talk about their children and their children can still do very well.
“Nigerians were largely unaware of autism. It was when we started and began creating awareness on the developmental disorder that many more people began to identify it in their children who were fast becoming grown-ups. Parents thus started to bring their adult children to us.
“Some of these adults we got at ages 11, 17, 32, 35, and above. At this point now, we have been able to help the very young ones to an appreciable extent. Many centres have been opened after us, we have decided to seriously target the adult generation because we are going to have a huge problem in our hands as a nation if this is not done.
“What happens when they grow up to be adults with autism? How do they cope in this ever-changing environment? How do they cope in their own ever-changing body, which is something we actually hardly look at?
“In the last 10 years, we have created autism awareness every other day. Our online portal is very active. We tackle different topics every day. And of course, every year, we also have our Talent in Autism Show, an event which has progressively seen children at Patrick’s display remarkable improvements.
 “From being very slow at the beginning, most of them are now very skilled,” she said.
Giving further insight into the problem, Dr. Sutton said considering the fact that autism is a developmental disorder, children need support to, not only overcome the challenges associated with it but to transit from childhood to adulthood.
He stressed that children with autism have different capabilities for recovery.
Some of the symptoms associated with autism according to him, include poor communication, inability to comprehend what people are saying, among others.
As they get older, the expert said, “They need support to understand relationships. If I want to get married, how do I do that, what are the roles for that? All that stuff is possible.”
According to him, recovery from autism “is very dependent on the ability of the child.”
Calling on government to consider seriously the plights of families with children living with autism, Dr. Sutton estimated that the disorder presently affects one in 45 children in the US even as it grows higher in every part of the world.
He advised that children living with autism be assisted with all available support to enable them become independent adults who will be useful to themselves and the society at large.
Many parents of children living with autism see Patrick’s project as a source of relief to them as it assists their children live meaningful lives.