Parents have been advised to prioritise early screening of their children to help to detect and manage diseases such as autism.
The facilitator at Bright Steps International School (BSI), Paulina Serwaa Preko, said when parents became aware of their children’s autism status, it would help them take proactive measures to manage the condition and make the children function well in life.
“Every day, new neurons are formed.
The earlier you know, the better the intervention is for the child,” the facilitator added.
She gave the advice at a free screening exercise organised by the school on the theme: “Understanding autism, empowering abilities.”
Red flags
Ms Preko further said that because a child’s brain was constantly developing, delays in diagnosis could hinder progress.
She advised parents to watch out for certain “red flags” for autism, which included poor eye contact during social interactions and repetitive behaviours such as flapping hands or rocking the body, and speech delays.
“A child may be at a stage where they provide only one word or nothing at all, but they are expected to speak in sentences,” Ms Preko said.
Also, if a child preferred to play alone rather than with their peers, it was a red flag that they may be on the autism spectrum.
Stigmatisation
Ms Preko acknowledged the difficulties families with autistic children faced, particularly in cultures where autism was misdiagnosed.
She said kids were often unfairly stigmatised and given nicknames like “Jimmy Jimmy,” to wit, “foolishness”.
Beyond social stigma, Ms Preko said there were also practical challenges of managing hyperactive behaviours, especially for nuclear families without the assistance of extended family.
“Many children on the spectrum are unable to attend regular schools, which frequently interferes with the family’s daily activities, so there is a need to find appropriate education for them.
“Screening is simply learning how to support your child. How can you help your child if you don’t know they have autism?” she asked, and urged parents to use the awareness campaign to get expert advice.
Inclusiveness
The Chief Executive Officer of BSI, Grace Abbey Nkrumah, highlighted the significance of an inclusive learning environment for autistic children.
She advocated “sensory-friendly” classrooms with smaller spaces and fewer distractions because neurodivergent students often struggled with noise and crowding of mainstream settings.
Ms Nkrumah reiterated BSI’s commitment to providing skilled assistance.
Research indicates that approximately one in 87 Ghanaian children under the age of three may be on the autism spectrum.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh