By Progress Godfrey, Abuja
As the world marks Autism Awareness Day, Mrs. Africa United Nations and Mrs. Nigeria III, Queen Evelyn Chigozie Chukwujekwu has called on government across all levels and other stakeholders to prioritise support for people with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).
Queen Chukwujekwu, in a statement on Thursday, raised concerns over the challenges faced by people with autism and their entire support line.
The beauty Queen, who is also a Special Educational Needs Coordinator revealed that world over, one in 160 children live with autism with over 100,000 cases recorded yearly in Nigeria. She however worried that despite the prevalence, little or no support is given to help them thrive in society.
She said, “As I graduate as a Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) on World Autism Day, I am reminded of the urgent need for increased awareness, acceptance, and support for individuals with autism and their families.
“As Mrs. Africa United Nations and Mrs. Nigeria III, I have had the privilege of working with individuals with autism, their families, and caregivers. I have witnessed firsthand the challenges they face, from stigma and discrimination to lack of access to education, healthcare, and social services.
“The statistics are alarming: 1 in 160 children worldwide live with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), with over 100,000 cases discovered annually in Nigeria alone. Yet, despite these numbers, autism remains poorly understood, and individuals with autism are often marginalized and excluded.”
She stressed the need for interventions through policies to meet the educational and healthcare needs of people with autism.
“As a SENCO, I urge governments, policymakers, and stakeholders to prioritize autism awareness, education, and inclusion. We need more schools tailored to the needs of individuals with autism, more trained educators and healthcare professionals, and more support for families and caregivers.”
She further called on governments to, “Invest in autism awareness and education programs, provide subsidies for therapy and management, establish policies and interventions to support individuals with autism, and create inclusive education systems that cater to diverse needs.”
Queen Chukwujekwu also appealed to donor agencies, embassies, and individuals to support organisations working tirelessly to promote autism awareness and inclusion.
‘Together, we can create a more inclusive and supportive society for individuals with autism and their families. Let us join forces to promote awareness, acceptance, and empowerment,” she said.
She highlighted that early detection and management are key, noting that symptoms to look out for in children include: limited eye contact, stimming behaviours (e.g., flapping arms), tantrum behaviours as well as limited speech.
The Beauty Queen also noted that with early detection and management, most autistic children can live normal lives. “Let us work together to create a brighter future for all,” she added.