Harnessing Potential In Autism Spectrum Individuals

The journey of Mrs Bode Abifarin, a mother of autistic children, has been a mosaic of challenges and triumphs, shedding light on the often-overlooked potential within individuals on the autism spectrum.

Mrs Abifarin told LEADERSHIP that one of the things she has noted in her journey is the ability to listen even when nothing is being said. “So with some clarity of mind, these children, are on their journey but they’re speaking all the time,” she added.

She emphasized the importance of knowledge and support for parents of autistic children. Abifarin’s sons participated in a piano concert and became great singers, demonstrating the potential of autistic children with proper encouragement.

For Jumoke, a young woman with autism, though her love for music is so great, but she struggled to find a music program that could accommodate her needs.

Thanks to the GTCO Autism Programme, Jumoke was able to participate in a music therapy workshop, where she learned to play the drums and express herself creatively.

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The president of the Behaviourprise Consulting Incorporation, Lanre Duyile, said people living with autism can excel in life, if given the needed support.

Duyile explained that Autism is a lifelong neurological condition that manifests during early childhood, irrespective of gender, race or socio-economic status, adding that the disorder affects communication, social interaction, and behaviour.

“The range and severity of autism can vary widely, but common symptoms include difficulty with communication, difficulty with social interactions, obsessive interests and repetitive behaviours. It could show as self-harm, learning disability in children, delayed cognitive skills or hyperactivity,” he further explained.

Despite these challenges, Duyile said many also demonstrate remarkable talents and a keen ability to learn, as reiterated by Mrs Abifarin and Jumoke; however, to get to this stage, there is need to build a supportive system that will enable them to thrive.

Speaking on why individuals with autism always get angry, the president asserted that, behavior does not just happen – its occurrence is systematically influenced by environmental events.

While giving her remarks at the 14th Annual GTCO Autism Conference in Lagos, the first lady of Lagos state, Dr. (Mrs.) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, called for more support for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Sanwo-Olu said people living with the condition frequently encounter challenges in communication and social interactions, making daily life tough.

There is a need to create a society where people with autism can thrive and enhance their potential, the first lady stated, while seeking a time where every community in Lagos State puts in place pictorials and visual aids that will assist people with autism to navigate easily. “Assume that the whole community has pictorials all over the place, like in our schools, mosques, churches, and universities. It will encourage more people to take part in these possibilities we are talking about,” she added.

Sanwo-Olu encouraged parents to imbibe the advice given by experts at the conference, adding that “the experts kept emphasizing keeping it simple and short. We need to spread love for children with autism. I must applaud parents, caregivers, and teachers for the wonderful work that they are doing to ensure that children with autism thrive. It’s not easy to take care of our special needs children, as we need to adapt alternative communication skills and teaching styles to enable us to communicate with them.”

She applauded GT Bank for deeming it fit to organize the autism program for the past 14 years. “It shows that it’s a very important issue. It’s critical for us to put some continuity into ensuring that this conference holds every year,” she stated.

In the same vein, the group chief executive officer, GTCO, Mr Segun Agbaje commended the efforts of the experts in this field and partner organisations who have continued to support the Orange Ribbon Initiative, an initiative aimed at supporting persons with developmental disabilities. “A major component of this initiative is the annual GTCO Autism Conference, designed to amplify the challenges faced by individuals with ASD and provide practical support to help them integrate successfully into society,” he added.

Themed: “A Spectrum of Possibilities,” Agbaje said this year’s theme acknowledges and celebrates diversity amongst individuals, adding that, “the importance of creating awareness for Autism is that it also challenges us to innovate and create solutions that improve quality of life in a way that is relatable to the Nigerian society.”

While presenting the topic: “Using Antecedent manipulations to improve learning and behavior,” board certified behaviour analyst, Behaviourprise College of Business and Health Studies, Canada, Lanre Duyile, said “Rather than always getting angry with them, he suggested that parents and caregivers should know what is triggering that behavior and address it.”

Speech and language therapist, Eniola Lahanmi, added by that many children with autism have communication challenge, adding that “Understanding a child’s sensory preferences and aversions can help create a more conducive environment for communication,” she added.

Lahanmi averred that early diagnosis and intervention are crucial in supporting the communication development of children with autism, while citing a recent research that shows that early intervention can lead to significant improvements in language and social skills.

“In essence, use simple, clear language and avoid long or complex sentences. Break down instructions into small, manageable steps. Consistently reinforce verbal communication. Provide immediate and positive feedback for successful communication attempts to build the child’s confidence and motivation.

“Allow extra time for the child to process information and respond. Avoid rushing or pressuring them to speak and maintain consistency in routines, communication methods, and expectations to provide a stable environment for learning,” she advised.