Accept, support autistic children

SOME children find it difficult to hold a conversation, make eye contact or empathise with others.

Such children may have compulsive behaviour or repetitive movements.

Although they may be captivated by a handful of things, they could be behind on their language or learning skills.

This condition is known as autism.

It is a lifelong neurological condition that manifests during early childhood, irrespective of gender, race or socio-economic status.  

Autism is referred to as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and it constitutes a diverse group of conditions related to the development of the brain, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

It is not a learning disability but it can affect cognitive function.

Some children on the autism spectrum have delays in speech or learning, while others do not.

Because it is a spectrum disorder, these delays can range from mild to severe.

World Autism Day is marked across the globe on April 2 to spread awareness of autism as a disorder and also support those who are suffering from it.

The theme for this year’s commemoration is: "Transforming the narrative: Contributions at home, at work, in the arts and in policy making”.

This is a call to bring up awareness of autism and accept and support autistic people in society and at the workplace.

It is estimated that globally about one in 100 children has autism.

In Ghana and other African countries, statistics are lacking, but one study suggests one in 87 children under the age of three is autistic.

Health experts say people with autism often have co-occurring conditions, including epilepsy, depression, anxiety and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, as well as challenging behaviours such as difficulty in sleeping and self-injury.

The level of intellectual functioning among autistic people varies widely, extending from profound impairment to superior levels.

Sad to say, autistic people face discrimination and other challenges.

According to activists, children with autism face discrimination and the same prejudices as people with mental illnesses.

The UN observes that the stigmatisation and discrimination associated with neurological differences remain substantial obstacles to diagnosis and therapies, an issue that must be addressed by public policy makers in developing nations, as well as donor countries.

The Daily Graphic, therefore, calls for appropriate support, accommodation and acceptance of this neurological variation to allow those on the spectrum enjoy equal opportunity and full and effective participation in society.

The levels of awareness and acceptance vary dramatically from country to country.

Therefore, the paper believes that raising awareness of and education on the condition are critical, as many people are deeply rooted in the belief that such children are evil and, therefore, have to be killed or sent to prayer camps for deliverance.

Health experts note that some of the risks associated with autism are parental age at time of conception, prenatal exposure to air pollution or certain pesticides, maternal obesity, diabetes, immune system disorders and extreme prematurity or very low birth weight.

Additionally, they note that there is no way to prevent ASD, but there are treatment options, as early diagnosis and intervention are most helpful and can improve behaviour, skills and language development.

The Daily Graphic aligns itself to health experts’ assertion that early intervention can improve learning, communication and social skills, as well as underlying brain development, and that is a critical opinion that all stakeholders must address.