Rebecca Ejifoma
Worried that some children living with autism do not use their speech, the Patrick Speech and Learning Centre has provided them skills in creative art and crafts to give them a voice for better communication in the society in line with World Autism Day 2019.
With the theme, ‘Assisting Technology and Inclusion', the art workshop and exhibition aimed to include children living with autism in the society and give them alternative skills from schooling.
The MD and founder, Mrs. Dotun Akande, expressed, “Most of our children don not use their speech though they have it. Hence, we are trying to encourage the creativity in them to express themselves”.
She pointed out, however, that even though the child might not be able to go to mainstream school, he or she is not useless, adding that they can function in their own environment and in their own skills.
According to research, the cause of autism is still unknown. Akande further said that there are many attributes people are looking at in terms of, "If it’s the food we eat or the environment we grew up in or the opportunities we are exposed to?"
The proprietress continued that irrespective of the fact that the cause is unknown, “We should be able to manage them. If they are nurtured, given the right opportunities, if the family unit is in tact and there is a lot of love surrounding them, then they will do well”.
Challenges
The challenges of managing these children are enormous. Akande, who has been running an autism school since 2005 expressed that some of challenges ranged from funding, capacity building, government intervention, training to staffing.
Her words: “The government can support by helping us build capacity. Even if they don't want to give direct funding, they can give funding through capacity building and empowering teachers and tutors who manage the children.”
Focusing on this year’s theme, Akande said the target was mainly on children who don't have a voice, adding that they are looking at ways they can support them with assisting technology like art.
“We want them to use whatever means they can to communicate with text to speech, picture exchange communication, board marker are some of the tools we are using,” she noted.
Now, research has it that autism is a developmental disorder that affect children in the areas of speech, communication and social interaction.
Symptoms of Autism
Consequently, the banker turned proprietress listed some of the symptoms of autism. “When we say speech, it is in the sense that they don’t talk, those that talk do not use their words appropriately, odd behaviour, inattentive or hyperactivity, don't socialise with other children or with family members and avoid eye contact.”
For the expert, a child must have one of those mentioned impediments to be autistic. Although some children are naturally delayed, it may not be autism.
Sadly, Akande decried that in the scheme of social development, autism is not recognised as it should. There are so many skills the children possess that can be harnessed in this environment but it's not.
She, therefore, urged the government to come in to support in terms of employment, family, interactions and engagement. “Therapy is expensive and the families bear a lot of these therapies.”
The concerned expert called on the government on the need to support these families. “They are really struggling. Some haves have four children with autism. You can imagine what they will be going through”.
While the children who came from different learning centres for art workshop displayed the arrays of their works, others molded clay pots, among other items. Some of the works exuded are: pom pom door mat, paintings, beads and more.
The chairman of the occasion and President Guild of Fine artists in Nigeria, Mr. Sam Ebohon, swiftly noted that Giving the children a chance is the best cordon for us who are not challenged.
He, however, bemoaned that the problem with the Nigerian system was that there had not been enough awareness given to the populace concerning these children.
Being the 12th annual World Autism Awareness Day, it is recognised ever April 2nd internationally is a way of spurring member states of the United Nations to take measures to raise awareness about people with autism disorder throughout the world.
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With the theme, ‘Assisting Technology and Inclusion', the art workshop and exhibition aimed to include children living with autism in the society and give them alternative skills from schooling.
The MD and founder, Mrs. Dotun Akande, expressed, “Most of our children don not use their speech though they have it. Hence, we are trying to encourage the creativity in them to express themselves”.
She pointed out, however, that even though the child might not be able to go to mainstream school, he or she is not useless, adding that they can function in their own environment and in their own skills.
According to research, the cause of autism is still unknown. Akande further said that there are many attributes people are looking at in terms of, "If it’s the food we eat or the environment we grew up in or the opportunities we are exposed to?"
The proprietress continued that irrespective of the fact that the cause is unknown, “We should be able to manage them. If they are nurtured, given the right opportunities, if the family unit is in tact and there is a lot of love surrounding them, then they will do well”.
 |
| Some art works |
The challenges of managing these children are enormous. Akande, who has been running an autism school since 2005 expressed that some of challenges ranged from funding, capacity building, government intervention, training to staffing.
Her words: “The government can support by helping us build capacity. Even if they don't want to give direct funding, they can give funding through capacity building and empowering teachers and tutors who manage the children.”
Focusing on this year’s theme, Akande said the target was mainly on children who don't have a voice, adding that they are looking at ways they can support them with assisting technology like art.
“We want them to use whatever means they can to communicate with text to speech, picture exchange communication, board marker are some of the tools we are using,” she noted.
Now, research has it that autism is a developmental disorder that affect children in the areas of speech, communication and social interaction.
Symptoms of Autism
Consequently, the banker turned proprietress listed some of the symptoms of autism. “When we say speech, it is in the sense that they don’t talk, those that talk do not use their words appropriately, odd behaviour, inattentive or hyperactivity, don't socialise with other children or with family members and avoid eye contact.”
For the expert, a child must have one of those mentioned impediments to be autistic. Although some children are naturally delayed, it may not be autism.
Sadly, Akande decried that in the scheme of social development, autism is not recognised as it should. There are so many skills the children possess that can be harnessed in this environment but it's not.
She, therefore, urged the government to come in to support in terms of employment, family, interactions and engagement. “Therapy is expensive and the families bear a lot of these therapies.”
The concerned expert called on the government on the need to support these families. “They are really struggling. Some haves have four children with autism. You can imagine what they will be going through”.
 |
| Some of the arrays of art works from different students displayed |
The chairman of the occasion and President Guild of Fine artists in Nigeria, Mr. Sam Ebohon, swiftly noted that Giving the children a chance is the best cordon for us who are not challenged.
He, however, bemoaned that the problem with the Nigerian system was that there had not been enough awareness given to the populace concerning these children.
Being the 12th annual World Autism Awareness Day, it is recognised ever April 2nd internationally is a way of spurring member states of the United Nations to take measures to raise awareness about people with autism disorder throughout the world.
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