Foundation appeals to FG to invest in autism education

The Project Manager, Thoughtful House Foundation, Mrs Rose Akinshehinwa, has appealed to the Federal Government to invest in autism education to assist children with autism and their parents.

Akinshehinwa made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday to commemorate the World Autism Day with theme, ‘Towards Autonomy and Self Determination.’

According to her, Autism is a developmental disorder that affects the communication, social, cognitive and behaviour of a person.

“Teachers in public schools needs to be trained to handle children with autism, we have done this in our own capacity but with government support this could be achieved on larger scale.

“There should be legislation on harmful cultural practices because children with autism have been called witches and demonic possessed and this is not true.

“Some parents take those children to prayer houses, native doctors or even lock them up and hide them,’’ she said.

Akinshehinwa said autism also called Autism Spectrum Disorders manifested in different ways, adding that no two children who have autism are the same or manifest the same characteristics.

The manager said a child with autism could have communication barrier and learning at a slower pace and volume from peers.

“Learning mainly for autism children is through Special education and breaking down of concepts, using pictures and in small volumes.

“Their behaviour could be constant crying or meltdowns. This is always largely due to inability to express their feelings, emotions or physical pain.

“They could also be hypersensitive to human senses and cause such behaviour when the child is overwhelmed with sound, light or smells or even textures of either clothing or foods,” she said.

The manager said that the cause of autism had not been discovered, adding that scientists are still working to figure out the causes.

She, however, advised parents of autism children to be observant, patient and loving toward them.

Akinshehinwa said parents should seek help as soon as possible when they notice the signs and should not take a wait and see approach.

“Those who have children in school and intervention centres should work together with the schools to help their children improve.

“Their children are gift from God, so they must love them dearly and not compare them with other children,’’ she said.

NAN reports that Thoughtful House Foundation is a creative learning centre which seeks to support the development of children living with autism.

World Autism Awareness Day is an internationally recognised day, celebrated on 2nd of April every year.

The aim is to encourage UN Member States to take measures to raise awareness about people with autism throughout the world.