Nigeria Urged to Act on Autism Awareness and Support
• This Day • Health
The article emphasizes the urgent need for Nigeria to move beyond silence regarding autism, highlighting that approximately 600,000 children currently live with autism spectrum disorder, with estimates suggesting up to 2.4 million Nigerians affected. The report stresses that many families face financial and emotional burdens due to a lack of support and understanding within communities. It calls for the establishment of a national surveillance system for autism, consistent diagnosis and management, and the integration of autism care into primary healthcare. The need for training pediatricians, speech therapists, and community health workers is also highlighted to identify early signs of autism. Furthermore, the article advocates for inclusive education systems that train teachers to support children with neurodevelopmental disorders. It urges a shift from ceremonial awareness campaigns to sustained community-level education efforts to combat stigma and misinformation, emphasizing that without urgent reform, children with autism will continue to be excluded from mainstream education.
Topics: Health, Social Issues