THE wife of Lagos State governor, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has stressed the need for local content to engage autistic individuals, especially in schools.
She also urged Nigerians to spread love to them, saying children with autism, just like every other child in any part of the country, deserve to live normal and a fulfilled life.
Mrs Sanwo-Olu made this assertion in her remarks at this year’s edition of Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) Plc Autism Conference held recently in Lagos.
The two-day event, with the theme: ‘A Spectrum of Possibilities,’ featured behavioural analysts, speech pathologists, childhood education experts, clinical psychologists, parents among others.
Autism, also referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), according to medical experts, is neither a disease nor an illness but a neurodevelopmental disorder which affects how people living with the disorder interact, communicate, learn, and behave.
The condition, which is not curable, can be diagnosed at any age, but symptoms generally appear in the first two years of life.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), one in 100 children globally lives with autism. In Nigeria, the condition is hardly diagnosed and rarely understood, and children with it often suffer neglect and stigmatisation.
According to Mrs Sanwo- Olu at the event, there is a need to integrate local content in autism education and support.
She emphasised the need for continuity and effective communication strategies, advocating for a “keep it simple and short” approach for children with autism.
While commending GTCO Plc, a foremost African financial institution, for initiating the conference and for being able to sustain it for the past 14 years.
She also thanked volunteer caregivers and teachers for their dedication to the cause and called for the adoption of alternative communication methods, including pictorial and non-verbal communication aids, to create more inclusive environments for autistic children.
According to her, the incorporation of local content into educational materials for autistic children, especially in schools from primary to university levels, could make them more relatable and effective with other people.
She suggested that pictorial aids should reflect the familiar objects and experiences of children in different geopolitical zones of the country, stressing that such will greatly enhance their understanding and comfort.
In his welcome speech at the event, CEO of GTCO Plc, Mr Segun Agbaje, emphasised the company’s continued support for people living with autism in Nigeria.
He said the knowledge gained and support received through the past conferences have brought hope and championed progress for the autism community in Africa
He commended the efforts of experts in the autism field as well as the partnering organisations that have continued to support the initiative, saying the collaboration has enabled thousands of individuals on the autism spectrum to experience an improved quality of life.
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