As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark this year’s World Autism awareness month, stakeholders want government to embrace policies that will allow for inclusion in the education sector.
Some psychologist and behavioral therapists who spoke at an awareness campaign organised by the Royal School of Educational Theraphy Foundation, Abuja, specifically advice government to create policies that will allow for equity and access to education for autistic children.
Head teacher of the school, Uzo Kachi, who decried the low rate of autism awareness, stressed that this was largely responsible for the continous discrimination faced by persons on the autism spectrum.
“Most people don’t really know about the disorder. So when they see them displaying some behaviors, they feel they can’t be allowed to mingle with other children even in schools, in churches and in hospitals. So the preaching of inclusion is actually to get them involved. Let people know about what autism is all about and know that these children can still thrive in the society.
“So to include them in the workplace, include them in our homes, even in the hospitals and everywhere.”
On areas needing urgent government intervention, the head teacher said, “Like the theme of the year, “Changing the narrative.” We get contribution, both from the home and the workplace and policies. We want government to create policies that will enable inclusion, equity and access, especially for education. Many of them are really kept out and are not able to access education like other children. So our appeal is for the government to draft out policies. For example, like the Royal School of Educational Theraphy, where we are staying right now, we pay heavily for the space. If government can give organisations like ours opportunity to own land, give us access to land, then we can be able to do more in a society.”
A behavioral therapist who spoke at event, Adeshina Seyi Rachel, noted that discrimination and stigmatization have become a major issue faced by autistic people and their care givers.
To end this, she ask stakeholders to focus on awareness of this particular way of life.
“When you make people aware of this particular way of life, then they tend to understand more what you’re talking about. From understanding, it leads to compassion. You then know that it’s not their fault that they are the way they are. From compassion, you tend to respect them, and from respects you accept them acceptance, and then from acceptance to inclusion and they are being included into society. So basically that’s why we are taking the first step of awareness.”
Also, a parent of the school, Engr. Attah Abu, ask guardians to opt for early interventions for their wards, instead of seeking spiritual help for children with autism or other disabilities.
He also asked government to give subvention to parents with children with special needs so as to ease their financial burden and help them avail their children with the special education they require.
April every year is set aside as World Autism Awareness month. The essence is to create awareness about autism and canvass for the rights of persons with Autism.
Autism is a is a neurodevelopmental disability, that manifests in both children and adults. Those on the spectrum usually have deficiencies in social and interaction skills.