Autism is more common than childhood cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined. So how come you’ve never heard of it?
If public interest was quantified as a “publication ratio” reflecting the number of news stories per number of affected individuals, then autism in Botswana is under-reported relative to conditions such as HIV/AIDS, breast cancer and diabetes. In Botswana, the number of children being diagnosed with autism is growing at an alarming rate. Currently, worldwide, Autism affects 1 in 88 children under the age of 6 years, and is 4 times more prevalent in boys than girls. Yet, despite thousands of people in Botswana being directly or indirectly affected by the disorder very little has been done to help. This is hardly surprising: There has not been any lobbying by special interest groups in Botswana to get autism on the agenda of decision makers ÔÇô until now.
Autism Botswana was recently set up as the nation’s first association that represents people with autism. It is made up of Batswana whose lives are directly affected by autism ÔÇô they are either the parent, brother, sister, uncle or aunt of someone with Autism. The association, Autism Botswana, aims to raise awareness for autism, advocate the rights of those with autism and strives to ensure a meaningful life for people with autism.
But what is Autism?
Autism is a disorder that affects the way that a person’s brain develops. The brain of person with Autism develops differently ÔÇô causing communication and social interaction to be extremely difficult for them. People with Autism tend not to be able to cope with any change to their routine, find engaging with other people near impossible, and often have inflexible and repetitive behaviours, such has hand flapping or rocking their body back and forth. All these things come together to make an Autistic person act very differently from someone without the disorder ÔÇô which means that they are often shunned, rather than cared for, by the community.
Autism is labelled as a “spectrum disorder” ÔÇô this means that there are a wide variety of symptoms and that the severity of each symptom also varies greatly. However, it is important to note that a person with Autism does not look any different from a person without Autism. This has led to Autism also being called an “invisible” disorder ÔÇô we cannot immediately see it, therefore making it easier to ignore.
Autism is a lifelong condition. The cause is unknown and there is no cure. But, thanks to extensive research, there are many things that can be done to help someone with Autism to live a meaningful and happy life. And like so many health issues ÔÇô the earlier Autism is detected, the easier it is to work with.
How do you know if someone you love has Autism?
First ÔÇô remember that early detection is best! The earlier a person is diagnosed with Autism, the easier it is to help them. To aid in the proper diagnosis of autism, the world-renowned Mayo Clinic has developed this 18-point checklist of possible autism signs found in three crucial areas of development. If you notice someone is exhibiting one or more of the following, seek further medical advice and testing.
Social skills
ÔÇó Fails to respond to his or her name
ÔÇó Has poor eye contact
ÔÇó Appears not to hear you at times
ÔÇó Resists cuddling and holding
ÔÇó Appears unaware of others’ feelings
ÔÇó Seems to prefer playing alone ÔÇö retreats into his or her “own world”
Language
ÔÇó Starts talking later than other children
ÔÇó Loses previously acquired ability to say words or sentences
ÔÇó Speaks with an abnormal tone or rhythm ÔÇö may use a singsong voice or robot-like speech
ÔÇó Can’t start a conversation or keep one going
ÔÇó May repeat words or phrases verbatim, but doesn’t understand how to use them
Behaviour
ÔÇó Performs repetitive movements, such as rocking, spinning or hand-flapping
ÔÇó Develops specific routines or rituals
ÔÇó Becomes disturbed at the slightest change in routines or rituals
ÔÇó Moves constantly
ÔÇó May be fascinated by parts of an object, such as the spinning wheels of a toy car
ÔÇó May be unusually sensitive to light, sound and touch
Currently thousands of children and adults with Autism across Botswana are not getting the proper care that they need. Until recently no effort has been made to gather information about the number of people with Autism in the country ÔÇô however Autism Botswana plans to change that.
Tam Lomard, a leading Behaviour Therapist, who specializes in Autism, says, “We know that there are well over a thousand children with Autism in Botswana who are waiting to receive help ÔÇô but we also know that there are many thousands more who we do not know about.” She went on to explain that, “A person with Autism can be a happy, healthy functioning member of society. Many people with Autism contribute to the economy and lead fulfilling lives.” The notion that Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein, L. S. Lowry and Peter Sellers were all autistic has been current for some time, but in most of these cases there is very little surviving proof. However, if someone with Autism does not get the help that they need they will be a drain, emotionally and economically, on their family and their country.”
Autism Botswana wants everyone that is affected by autism to know that they are not alone and that they can receive help. Autism is a lifelong disorder ÔÇô but it does not mean that you cannot have a life!
If you think that someone you know may have Autism and you would like to get more information and help, please contact Autism Botswana at [email protected] or on 72 30 80 88.
