Hello there! Trust you are doing great. In case you missed it, catch the previous issue of your favorite mental health newsletter here. Today’s issue is long but be rest-assured that it is worth it. Take your time and get to the end. The issue was written by Oguejiofor Nkem.
Oguejiofor who is currently a 300-level Chemical Engineering undergraduate is passionate about making effective changes and making impact. He is also an avid reader who is enthusiastic about promoting peace and love through innovative contents. When he's not buried in his books or busy with work, you can find him sharing memes on social media.
Enjoy!
This topic reminds me of a time I visited a friend somewhere in Lagos some years ago. During the visit, I noticed that his seven-year-old younger brother [let’s call him Obinna] was acting in an awkward manner. Not only was his usage of words limited, but he also barely spoke in a meaningful way and form. As a stranger meeting him for the first time, I always had him misconstrued for he would use words like “I” when referring to other people and “you” when referring to himself. It seemed as though he was in his own time and space as he would display a lack of emotional attachment towards his siblings. Whenever I tried to play and talk with him, it was a moment of futility for me. Unfortunately, I didn’t hasten to conclude that he was just a spoiled child who derives joy in having his way. He was suffering from Autism.
‘O nweghi onye ga-akowa nke oma ihe gbasara amoosu, karia nwanyi amoosu tagburu diokpara ya’
This Igbo proverb literally translates to “Nobody will tell better of a witchcraft than a woman who has lost her first son to evil spirit”. Some proverbial experts would further break this saying down to “Only he who wears the shoe, knows where it pinches”. This proverb speaks to me because due to my strong affinity for judging people, especially on the basis of appearance, I often fail to realize that it is possible for someone to suffer and still appear normal. Until recently, I had failed to understand that autism is a social problem that is glossed over by most families in Africa. It is a neglected issue in most African homes, and this is evident in how most children with Autism are treated like outcasts by peers or even siblings. In all, the theme of autism being ignorance, let’s educate ourselves.
What is Autism?
At its core, autism is simply a developmental disorder in childhood which is usually not evident at birth or early in life but becomes known or pronounced as the child grows older. This is because as a child grows, it is expected that he/she would attain certain skills and behaviors. However, when this expectation is not met and the child displays patterns such as the case with Obinna, it clearly elucidates that the child is facing difficulties. Ergo, the reason it is called a developmental disorder. It is noteworthy that this condition could reach adulthood and lead to permanent disability. According to WHO, its (autism) actual medical term is ASD which means autism spectrum disorders as it relates to a diverse group of conditions that is often displayed by some level of difficulty with social interaction and communication. It also implies that not every patient is the same. Statistics depict that one in every 100 children suffers from autism. Perhaps this justifies the fact that it is an over-glossed issue in an average home in Africa.
What are the symptoms of Autism?
The symptoms of autism cuts across communication and language challenges to difficulties with social behavior. Persons with autism often find it difficult to communicate their needs or wants and understand others. They have a great inability to understand the emotions of people around them and how to respond accordingly. This explains why sometimes, they try to avoid looking directly into people’s faces. For instance, Obinna could not tell the difference between a happy, sad or angry face. Also, they are attached to the same mode of living every day and an attempt to switch up or change that could lead them to causing tantrums and contrasting emotional reactions.
How do children with autism see/perceive the world?
Owing to the great difficulty children with autism experience, they end up viewing the world as a scary place. They react to even the slightest form of love with fear because of their excruciating pain in understanding others. Oftentimes, it is very heart-breaking to see autistic children fight the world and themselves every day because while their mates display swift responses to various forms of stimuli, they have to be taught to do almost everything including learning how to look at people. Hence this justifies the quote by Professor Shore that “once you have met a child with Autism, you have really met a child with autism”
What can be done to relieve the children suffering from this malady?
Although there hasn’t been any medically proven cure for Autism, research has it that follow-through therapies have had significant changes and improvements in the lives of children with autism. This helps in reducing the effects of the difficulties while trying to identify and utilize the unique potential of each child. This can be achieved through thorough assessment and evaluation of the way the child responds to certain emotions. Furthermore, as a society we need to bear in mind that it takes a village to train a child. While autistic children might look normal in appearance, their social behavior could be overwhelming, and this could worry us. As such, it is essential to realize that we must be patient and tolerant when dealing with them. Our actions must communicate love and care as this would propel them to get better and exhibit their talents.
TLDR: Autism is a developmental disorder that is not noticeable at birth. However, it becomes evident as the child grows and would be seen in their social interaction with the environment. Because of the difficulty in responding to people’s emotions, autistic children view the world as a scary place. Notwithstanding, with follow-through therapies, care and affection from their parents and family members, their behaviors can be assessed, and their potentials can be unlocked. The message from this issue of your favorite mental health newsletter is that our love and acceptance as a society would help make them see an ability in a disability thus making them stand out.
Remember, change begins with you!
See you next month!