In a bid to raise awareness on the need for proper management of autism and Neuro-development disorders, professionals in the field have inaugurated a Centre for Autism and Neuro-developmental Disorders (CAND-Do), with a primary focus on obliterating the myths that surround autism and other such disorders.
The centre which is located at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, is focus driven and designed to address research, learning and servicing the need of persons and caregivers of people living with autism and Neuro-developmental disorders.
At the inauguration, Prof. Umafue of the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), said the organisation is to promote and showcase what stakeholders are doing, and what has been done and what can further be done.
Prof. Umafue commented on the gross mismanagement of autism in the country and proposed that CAND-Do will fill the gap in sensitization of families of people living with autism and Neuro-developmental disorders.
Prof Folasade Ogunsola, who represented University of Lagos Vice-Chancellor, Prof Oluwatoyin Ogundipe appreciated the CAND-Do team and promised to continue to support children living with Autism as well as their parents, teachers and caregivers “so that through us, the world can hear them”.
This new initiative is highly important, seeing that many Nigerians are blind and ignorant when it comes to having information with regards to Neuro-developmental disorders and many others have replaced the scientific explanations with superstitious beliefs. As a result, many of these autistic individuals are ignored and allowed to just wallow through life aimlessly.
Recent records show that autism can be managed effectively and many autism victims can turn out into prominent members of the society if they are properly managed.
In the UK, about 700,000 people are living under the spectrum of autism, according to the National Autistic Society. Most of these people have been identified and caring for them is designed in a way that works in line with their abilities and with their disabilities in mind.
What Autism is and isn’t: Explaining FACTS, debunking MYTHS
A number of myths surround autism and, in a country like Nigeria where superstition is given much attention, some of these myths are often given a spiritual undertone and used as an excuse to torment innocent children with accusations of witchcraft and offences they never committed. Some of these are highlighted in this segment;
Myth: Autism is the result of promiscuity. Many supposed moral advocators in local levels often hold this view to guilt trip mothers who give birth to autistic babies outside of wedlock.
Fact: Autism is caused by genetic or environmental factors. Promiscuity does not result in autism. It is primarily a developmental disorder in the brain.
Myth: Individuals with autism spectrum disorder avoid social contact.
Fact: This is popular claim because, mostly, people find it hard to relate with autistic individuals, which is as a result of the fact that they are trying to relate with autistic individuals the same way they would with regular individuals. Individuals with autism spectrum disorder are often keen to make friends but may find this difficult due to their Neuro-developmental disorder.
Myth: Individuals with autism spectrum disorder cannot lead normal, independent and successful lives.
Fact: Given appropriate education, many students with autism will grow up to be successful contributors to society. As a result of the fact that autistic individuals have a different pattern of Neurological function, they require a different pattern of education.
Myth: All individuals with autism spectrum disorder have special talents or ‘savant’ skills.
Fact: It is estimated that 10% of individuals with autism spectrum disorder may have special abilities in areas like music, art, mathematical calculations, memory and manual dexterity. The majority, however, may have areas of high performance that relate to their special interests or obsessions. These skills are often referred to as ‘splinter skills’, as they are often not consistent with skills in other areas of development. Basically, just like in humans, there are autistic individuals who may have heightened abilities or extra flair/dexterity for particular things, but overall, autism doesn’t make anyone more talented.
Myth: Autism can be cured.
Fact: There is currently no documented cure for autism. Individuals with autism respond very well to structured early intervention, education and vocational placements that focus on the unique learning style of students with autism.
Myth: Autism can be outgrown.
Fact: Children do not ‘outgrow’ autism but symptoms may lessen or change as the child develops and receives appropriate interventions and education.
Myth: People with autism do not have feelings and thus are unable to show affection.
Fact: People with autism can and do give affection. However, due to differences in sensory processing and social understanding, the display of affection may appear different from typical people. Understanding and acceptance of these differences is the key.
Statistics of autism in Nigeria vis-à-vis other countries
A report carried out by Health Grove recently shows that 5 out of every 1000 Nigerians are living with autism syndrome disorder and 75.9% of this number is susceptible to losing their life due to neglect or prejudices.
On March 27, 2014, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new data on the prevalence of autism in the United States. This surveillance study identified 1 in 68 children (1 in 42 boys and 1 in 189 girls) as having autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health contributed to a new U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that finds the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) largely unchanged from two years ago, at one in 68 children (or 1.46 percent).
About 1 in 68 children has been identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) according to estimates from CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network.
ASD is reported to occur in all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups.
ASD is about 4.5 times more common among boys (1 in 42) than among girls (1 in 189).
Studies in Asia, Europe, and North America have identified individuals with ASD with an average prevalence of between 1% and 2%.
About 1 in 6 children in the United States had a developmental disability in 2006-2008, ranging from mild disabilities such as speech and language impairments to serious developmental disabilities, such as intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and autism.
