. By Tordue Salem The House of Representatives and other stakeholders have thrown their weights behind a proposed law to upgrade the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, NIA, to a…
Tag:
Degree
Big Brother Naija, BBNaija Season 6 housemate, Whitemoney, has finally revealed his reason for not having a university degree. JMK, the new BBNaija housemate, had approached Whitemoney to know more…
Technology
SoftTalk Messenger CEO Simple Azenabor Bags Honorary Doctorate Degree In Science
by James Davies
The founder and CEO of Nigeria’s Messaging app, SoftTalk Messenger, Simple Azenabor, has been conferred with an honorary doctorate degree in Science by ESCAE – Benin University for his technological innovations and…
By Ekaete Bassey Dagbana Republik boss, Bella Shmurda, has finally graduated from the Lagos State University (LASU). Bella Shmurda, who has been keeping fans updated with details of his…
Six inmates at the Enugu Correctional Service on Tuesday bagged different degree certificates from the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). The six inmates, all male, are currently serving their…
By Ekaete Bassey Peter Okoye also known as Mr P of the defunct P Square group has bagged an honorary doctorate degree of Arts from Escae-Benin University, Benin Republic. The…
Health & Food
Fear of stigmatisation by parents delays early diagnosis of autism in Nigeria, according to expert Angela Onwuzoo Administrator of the Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria, Mrs. Aanu Senbanjo,says for fear of stigmatisation, many parents in Nigeria with children with autism do not take them to the hospital for proper diagnosis early. This, the certified autism specialist said hampers intervention while emphasis that both early diagnosis and intervention are critical in managing children with autism spectrum disorders. Senbanjo noted that many parents kept their children with autism at home and deny them the needed interventions required to lead a productive life because they don’t want them to be labelled. Speaking in an interview with PUNCH HealthWise, the autism specialist listed various factors responsible for the delay in the diagnosis of autism in Nigeria. She explained, ” There are three major reasons why there is a delay in the diagnosis of autism in Nigeria. “The number one reason is that most children with autism except for those that have co-mobodity look very neurotypical. They look like every other child. There are no physical features and so, when some of these symptoms are not showing, the parents might feel that the child will come out of it. “This is why people don’t feel there is a need for proper diagnosis of autism in Nigeria. ” And so most parents delay because they do not see reason for the diagnosis. This is because the child is not showing any physical signs unlike other forms of disabilities where you have physical features like cerebral palsy or down syndrome that as soon as you see a child with this congenital condition, you will know that there is a concern. “And sometimes, they develop normally because there is the regressive type of autism whereby a child starts to do everything at the normal time. ” The developmental mile stone will be age approximate until a certain age, when the child begins to regress and it has happened to a lot of children.” According to her, because a child with autism does everything normally at a very tender age, parents often feel that there is nothing wrong with the child. This, she noted is another reason for the delay. Autism spectrum disorders according to the World Health Organisation are a diverse group of conditions. WHO says they are characterised by some degree of difficulty with social interaction and communication. “The abilities and needs of people with autism vary and can evolve over time. While some people with autism can live independently, others have severe disabilities and require life-long care and support. “Evidence-based psychosocial interventions can improve communication and social skills, with a positive impact on the well-being and quality of life of people with autism and also their caregivers”, WHO says. Continuing, Senbanjo said, “Again, even after parents noticed that the child has a challenge, they live in denial because of religious beliefs. “The will be going to prayer houses instead of taking the child to the hospital for proper medical evaluation and intervention. ” They don’t accept that the child has challenge. We need to do the needful. They keep the child in the house and until the condition gets out of hand. And diagnosis might be late and when diagnosis is late, then intervention will be late. And early intervention is key. It is when there is early intervention that we get result on time.” Calling on parent to be proud of their children with autism, the specialist noted, “Fear of stigmatisation delays diagnosis of autism.” “A lot of parents are scared of being told that their children have autism. For fear of name calling and marginalisation, they refused to take their children for proper diagnosis. They keep them because they don’t want the child to labelled”, she added. Warning against abandonment and other negative attitudes, she said parents should not kill the skills and potentials of their children with autism through stigmatisation, discrimination and abandonment. Copyright PUNCH All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH. Contact: health_wise@punchng.com
by James Davies
Amarachi Okey Olayemi Ogundele is a 25-year-old chef, living with type 1 diabetes. He shares his challenges of stigmatisation and misconception by people with poor knowledge of the disease, as…
By Ekaete Bassey Nollywood actress Eucharia Anunobi has attained the highest academic qualification. The veteran actress shocked everyone when she announced she had given her life to Christ.She eventually became…
News
Osun PDP describes Adeleke courageous, as former senator bags bachelor’s degree
by James Davies
Ademola Adeleke Shina Abubakar, Osogbo The Peoples Democratic Party in Osun State has described the party Governorship candidate in the last election, Senator Nurudeen Ademola Adeleke as…
A master’s degree holder, Yazid Surajo, has said he became a scavenger in Lagos State because he did not want to stay idle, waiting for a white-collar job. Surajo explained…
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