Ghana disability law doesn't include autism

From AllAfrica.com:

ACCRA, Ghana — Autism is a new biological disorder that impacts on development on the brain and renders the victim disabled in three areas.

First, the victim unable to understand verbal/non-verbal communication. Secondly, they are unable to socialize and lastly they cannot wait to have their turn.

Experts term it "new disorder" because it is developmental and there is no known cause. Most autistic children are non-verbal.

Although autism is said to be always on the increase in Ghana, the disability law passed in June 2006 overlooked autism.

Indeed, stakeholders involved in Autism Awareness, Care & Training (AACT) made
inputs to the draft disability bill but it was not captured.

Speaking to Public Agenda, Mr. Mawusi Adiku, Educational Director at the AACT in Accra regretted that Ghana considers the blind, deaf, mentally retarded and physical disability but ignores others such as autism.

"We want autism to be recognized as a disability which is becoming prevalent than any other childhood disorder," he stressed.

He disclosed that women mostly bear the brunt of the victim's condition. He said that some marriages even break up as men often accuse the women for the condition.

He explained that the first symptom is for a mother to observe if a baby focuses on her whenever she is sighted.

He said that most of them cry persistently for no apparent reason, weep and burst out laughter, and affects more boys than girls.

"Others too are sound sensitive, tend to be deaf and have no sense of danger. Some will not like to be hugged or touched, are repetitive in choice of food, clothes etc., flap their hands and walk on their toes."

He regretted that parents often after notice of autism in their wards send them to pediatrician who sometimes claims that the child might not be an early developer so they should go back and it will be well.

He noted Ghanaians also attribute such disorders to superstitious beliefs and sometimes send such children to ?prayer camps to exorcise the autism spirit in them.

Mr. Adiku cautioned that late diagnosis hinders early intervention. He said the condition in the victim ranges from mild to severe because it is developmental.

"In relation to mild victim will be able to talk and symptoms can only be realized in social behavior. The median group has all the three features and consequently has behaviourial problems and throws tantrums."

He said it is not advisable to punish children if he/she exhibits these symptoms.

Although not curable, Mr. Adiku said it is treatable and coupled with good and early intervention some of the disorders can be changed.

In Ghana, and other developing countries, autism diagnosis is rare. Parents of children with autism are left to seek other explanations for their children's behaviour.

Mrs. Serwah Quaynor, a mother of a child with autism, made it a personal commitment to help children with autism. In search of services to help her child, and with no luck, decided to fulfill her commitment to her son and to autism by founding an organization in 1998.

Known as Autism Awareness Care & Training (AACT) it was formed to help children with autism and their families in Ghana to better understand the disorder and to feel that there is a safe place to go for support and help.

Today the organization not only supports the parents and families but it also has become a centre for these children to receive quality education. Here they are trained in life-skills, sensory integration therapy, train caregivers, parents, family members, attendants and professionals and provide respite care for families among others.

On December 18, 2007, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution 62/139, tabled by the State of Qatar, which declares April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) in perpetuity.

This UN resolution is one of only three official disease-specific United Nations Days and will bring the world?s attention to autism, a pervasive disorder that affects tens of millions.

The World Autism Awareness Day resolution encourages all Member States to take measures to raise awareness about autism throughout society and to encourage early diagnosis and early intervention.

It further expresses concern at the prevalence and high rate of autism in children in all regions of the world and the consequent developmental challenges.

Additionally, WAAD?celebrates the unique talents and skills of persons with autism and is?a day when individuals with autism are warmly welcomed and embraced in community events around the globe. Last Thursday, 2nd April 2009 was World Autism Awareness.

The United Nations Secretary General Mr. Ban Ki Moon in a special message to mark WAAD said, "On World Autism Awareness Day, let us capture and share this spirit, and let us intensify global efforts to ensure that children and persons with autism everywhere can benefit from the supportive environment they need to reach their full potential and contribute to society."

He noted by designating 2 April as World Autism Awareness Day, the United Nations General Assembly has helped to galvanize international efforts to promote greater understanding about autism.