The case of Autism in Nigeria.

Isa Emmanuel

"To measure the success of our         societies, we should examine how well those with different abilities, including persons with autism, are integrated as full and valued members."

Autism is a popular phenomenon that was coined in 1911 by the German psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler to describe a symptom of the most severe cases of schizophrenia. This is a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech, and nonverbal communication. 

In a school-based epidemiological study conducted among mainstream elementary and secondary schools in Southeastern Nigeria, Chinawa and colleagues documented a prevalence of ASD to be 2.9% among children between the ages of 3 and 18 years.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6815667/#:~:text=In%20a%20school%2Dbased%20epidemiological

It is sad to see patients with autism being stigmatized in society as a result of their condition. Autistic patients are members of society that deserve special attention due to their condition. The Nigerian Ministry of Education is doing a great job by introducing special education courses in the Universities and is designed to help the optional children (both gifted and disabled individuals) make maximum use of their capabilities to contribute their quota to the socio-economic development of their country. 

Many autistic figures have greatly impacted the world with their unique abilities. These figures include Isaac Newton, etc. These great men have shown the world that being autistic cannot withhold one from maximizing his or her full potential. 

It is sad to discover that there are families that neglect and deny their children will autism. It is understandable to lock them because children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are hard to control as a result of their conditions, but there are better ways of caring for autistic patients. 

There are books for books for parents with autistic children like "A Friend by Henry" by Nuala Gardner, "Look Me in the Eyes" by John Elder Robinson, etc. 

Foundations and initiatives founded by individuals like the Zeebah Foundation are doing a great job of catering to the needs of autistic patients. 

https://zeebahfoundation.com/#:~:text=The%20Zeebah%20Foundation%20aims%20to,as%20inclusive%20education%20and%20intervention.

In conclusion, Autistic patients deserve equal treatment like anyone else in society. They are special people who need special attention due to their condition and it can be achieved when we all come together to help these people. 

#autismsupport #autismawareness #autismspectrum  Child Protection Team UK Awareness Page

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