Last year April 3RD 2023. A Professor in Gregory University Uturu, walked into my office. “Doc, what is this Autism that CNN has been hammering on since yesterday”
Lest I forget each year every April 2nd is an Autism day.
I sat back and scrutinised the Professor’s face wondering whether he was pulling my leg. He was not.
He added that CNN has been rattling, on the effects of Autism without coming down to the ordinary man’s level to define what Autism is and how it can be contracted or treated
What a minute. How do I define Autism to a non-medical person. Okay “Autism also called Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complicated lifelong condition that includes problems, with communication and behavior. It is a spectrum disorder, which means it affects people in different ways and in varying degrees. It usually appears by age 2-3.
In university of Jos, Prof. Ikeme told us, then as student in the early 80s, that some uninitiated minds referred to people with Autism as “wise idiots” (fa-fa-fa-foul apologies to Zebrudaiya).
Let me shock you. Do you know that the most famous people, like world leaders, Scientists, Sportsmen, were or are Autistic.
Hitter was autistic – let me modify, my earlier definition and for his sake, add that “some notorious world leaders are or were Autistic”.
Okay let me begin with the living ones first. Bill Gates has autism. Bill Gates- is Co- founder of Microsoft Corporation, the richest man in the world for 5 years, consecutively. Lionel Messi the famous footballer has autism.
Jerry Seinfield a Comedian is USA. He openly recognises himself as having autism spectrum disorder, due to his history of social challenges and a unique way of thinking literally.
Okay ponder over this, Elon Musk – entrepreneur and the current richest man in the world, who displaced Bill Gates, announced that he was on the autism spectrum while hosting a show “Saturday Night live”, in May 2021. More specifically, he stated that he was “the first person with Autism to host the show. He has a net worth of more than 150 billion dollars.
It was said that Gen Sani Abacha had autism. Not confirmed, because we don’t have his medical records.
Like I said, Autism is a disorder in which a young child cannot develop normal social relationships, behaves in a compulsive and ritualistic ways, and usually develops abnormal intelligence.
People with autism have trouble with communication. They have trouble understanding what other people think or feel. This makes it hard for them to express themselves, either with words or through gestures, facial expressions and touch.
People with autism may also have problems with learning. Their skills might develop unevenly. For example, they could have trouble communicating but be unusually good at art, music, math or things that involve memory. Because of this, they might do especially well on tests of analysis or problem solving.
The cause of autism is unknown however contrary to expectations autism is not caused by poor parenting. Studies of identical twins indicate that the disorder may be partly genetic, because it tends to occur in both twins, if it occurs on one.
CNN reported that one family with 6 children had all of them diagnosed with autism. Although most cases have no obvious cause some may be related to viral infection for example – congenital rubella or cytomegalovirus inclusion disease.
Phenylkenonura – an inherited enzyme disorder has also been implicated. The fragile X syndrome, a chromosomal disorder has been touted as a possible cause. For the avoidance of doubt let me methodically list out the signs and symptoms to watch out for, incase you suspect that your child has autism.
• Autism signs usually appear in the first year of life and always before 3 years.
• Autism is two or four times more common in boys than in girls
• Autism is different from mental retardation or brain injury or palsy, although some children with autism also have these disorders.
• An autistic child prefers to be alone
• He does not form close personal relationship
• He avoids eye contact
• An autistic child has a narrow range of interest or intense interest in certain topics.
• He loves doing something over and over like repeating words or phrases, rocking back and forth, or fidgeting with objects such as flipping a light switch.
• An autistic child has high sensitivity to sounds, touches, smells or sights that seem ordinary to other people
• He may not look at things or other people
• An autistic child may not cuddle or permit anybody to cuddle him
• He has problems understanding or using speech, gestures, facial expressions or tone or voice.
• An autistic child talks in a sing – song, flat or robotic voice
• Has trouble adopting to changes in routine procedures.
• Some children with autism may also have seizures this might not start until adolescent.
• He becomes excessively attached to familiar objects like feeding bottle, cups, plates etc.
• An autistic child may begin speaking later than other children.
• He may use language in a peculiar way or may be unable to speak at all.
• When spoken to the child often has difficulty understanding what is said.
• He may repeat words as they are said to him (echolalia)
• He might reverse the normal use of pronouns practically using “you” instead of “I” or “me” when referring to himself.
At times a person with autism may become overwhelmed by a situation and be unable to find a way to respond. This can cause them to have a meltdown. They may cry, scream, throw tantrums, act-out, physically by kicking, punching or biting. They may shut down completely and stop responding in any way. They are simply unable to deal with being overwhelmed or to explain their feelings.
A developmental screening will tell your doctor whether your child is on track with basic skills like- learning, speaking, and behavior and moving, experts suggest that children be screened for these developmental delays during their regular checkup at primary Health Care Centres at 9months (measles vaccine) 18 months and 24 or 30 months of age.
If your child shows signs of problem on these screenings, they will need a more complete evaluation. This might include hearing and vision tests or genetic tests.
If you have just got an autism diagnosis, there are a few steps you can take to feel your best. Ask your doctor questions and take your time to understand the diagnosis. You might feel a range of emotions.
Know that you can reach out to your doctor for help. You can continue normal life even after diagnosis.
The symptoms of autism usually persist throughout life. Many experts believe the prognosis is strongly determined by how much usable language the child has acquired by age 7. Autistic children with subnormal intelligence – for example, who score below 50 on standard IQ test – are likely to need full time institutional case as adults.
Autistic children in the near normal or higher IQ range often benefit from psychotherapy and special education. Speech therapy is started early as, is physical and occupational therapy.
Sign language is sometimes used to communicate with mute children although its benefits are unknown. Behavioural therapy can help several autistic children learn to manage at home and at school. This therapy is useful when an autistic child tries the patience of even the most devoted teachers.
Drugs are sometimes helpful, although they cannot change the underlying disorder. Haloperidol is used mainly to control severely aggressive and self destructive behavior.
Fenfluranmine, buspiron, a risperidone and the selective serotinine pre-uptake inhibitor (Fluxetine, Paroxetine and Sertraline) are all used to treat the various symptoms and behaviours of autistic children.
Several children with Autism have been brought to my hospital. One woman was moved to tears as she begged me, in sorrowful voice to control the child’s aggressive and destructive tendencies. The child had several patches of healed scars on his body, and the mother told me they were all self inflicted. Pity.
After reading this, look back to your house, compound, village, street or town.Remember the little children that were often referred to as “little idiots”, rascals or ragamuffins then have compassion as you remember today that every year April 2nd is reserved by WHO as Autism day. What they have is beyond them, and not of their own making.
Autism cannot be cured. Let us resolve today to be compassionate to children of autism.
Always be medically guided.
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