Raising a child is a daunting task. It is more daunting and challenging raising one with special needs. In this report, ASIAN NKUTT, feels the pulse of parents with Autism especially in this part of the world where not many people understand much about the challenge.
Raising a child is a daunting task. Raising a child with any form of disability is an even greater task. Raising a child with Autism especially in this part of the world where not many people understand it can be challenging. Most parents have had experiences where members of the public have been less than kind to them and their kids.
Autism and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are both general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development. These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication and repetitive behaviors. Children living with autism may have a range of symptoms ranging from behavioral, cognitive, developmental and psychological. They often will have, depending on which end of the spectrum a child is , poor eye contact, repetitive movements, inappropriate social interactions, persistent reposition of words and actions, some would be sensitive to sound and others. They also may have a learning disability and a delay in speech. With all these symptoms, the society is not kind to them.
Most people do not understand what Autism is and how it affects families of those living with it. The Next Edition spoke to some parents who shared their experiences in caring for kids living with autism and how it has shaped their lives and that of their families.
Dr.Tijani Magashi, has a five-year old son, Awwab, who is living with Autism. Awwab was diagnosed almost two years ago in Kano by a neuropsychiatrist. Prior to his diagnosis, his father says he was a regular child and didn’t show any signs. The only thing they noticed was his speech was delayed and he was hyper active. When he got to the age of starting school, his teachers observed he didn’t speak or interact with others, and was still hyperactive. That was when they decided to find out what was wrong with him.
Initially, Dr. Magashi says they took him to a peadiatrician who prescribed so many tests but no diagnosis was made. He then decided to see a child and adolescent psychiatrist and after administering a questionnaire he came down with the diagnosis, Autism, the one associated with hyper activity. Overall Awwab has a mild form of autism and has an above average IQ. He’s very interested in gadgets such as laptops and tablets. After his diagnosis the next step was finding a school suitable for his management.
“My reaction was normal when we got the diagnosis. I’ve been a doctor for a while and I’ve seen kids with worse diseases than this,” said Awwab’s father. He, however, said he doesn’t really talk about it except someone shows interest as most people don’t really understand it. “People have different thoughts about it. I was once told it was spiritual and we should go and see some certain Mallam. To avoid that is why I don’t really speak on it.”
On his support system he said it’s mainly his family. His school also helps, he said. Children with autism often have talents and behaviours that are unique to them and on what is the best thing about Awwab he has this to say. “He is lively and I can tell you that if you are doing anything he doesn’t like he will talk to you at least for a while. He has a passion for computers as well, that’s one of his abilities I would like to develop.
Also, Mr. Komolafe Olawale, spoke about his four year old son Crest. Crest didn’t have a proper diagnosis till July this year but his father knew there was something wrong. He took his son to LASU at the beginning of the year where he was given an appointment for the doctor he needed to see in August. The waiting list was a long one he was told. “I knew there was something wrong somewhere. He ought to have been speaking but he wasn’t. He just hums a lot,” Mr. Komolafe said.
He then turned to google while he waited to see the doctor and he realized his son showed the symptoms of a child living with Autism.
His proper diagnosis didn’t come as a surprise to him and his wife as they already were prepared. The starting point for them was changing his diet as they now realised they were feeding him the wrong foods. “From diet we will now go to physiotherapy and occupational therapy but first thing is diet.” said Mr. Olawale.
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The best thing about Crest is that he loves music, his father said. Once he hears it, although he can’t talk he hums it. He also likes to draw.
Mrs. Omoluabi Ajimego also spoke to The Next Edition about her nine year old son, Anasere, who is autistic. “My son could make eye contact unlike other kids with Autism, so my mind didn’t go there at all. When he got to about 18 months plus was when we noticed he didn’t sit still for long in his play group.
“We just thought it was a boy thing. One thing I really noticed was when he’s watching TV and something happens, you will see that excited look on his face, but it won’t translate into words.” She went on to mention how a post graduate education course on special needs children prompted her to discuss his symptoms with her husband. “Of course, I didn’t know what Autism was then but I thought of his challenges and thought it was dyslexia.” She said they started seeking professional diagnosis when he was two plus starting with the hearing test to determine if he could hear even when he didn’t speak.
“Anasere is so caring. His sister came after him, I have two pictures of him going to peep at the cot. Once his sister was crying and the remote wasn’t turned on. He ran to the kitchen from the room and back and forth all in a bid to communicate. It was later someone came from the backyard and followed him and we saw he actually was trying to tell us she was crying.“
About Anasere she added, “He’s so lovable and intelligent. He’s also very charming. On some occasions, if you stay with him when he’s not hyper, you won’t even observe that something is different. There’s a lot about him that makes him a very special child but one of the best is that he’s lovable and smart. “
Parents of children living with Autism need more resources as well as therapy to help improve the quality of life of the children. It’s not the end of the world when you get an Autism diagnosis.
To parents of kids living with Autism or any other special needs, Mrs. Omoluabi Ajimego had this to say,
“Nobody can take the place of the parents especially the mother. Mothers should do their very best, every milestone the child reaches, celebrate it. Don’t give up easily. God gives good and perfect gifts so there’s something good and perfect in that child. It is for us to work together and be able to bring it out successfully.”
According to experts, mothers are the key people in bringing out the best in them. It’s a communal thing but first the parents are particularly important.