The day was first celebrated in 2008 after the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution on 18 December 2007, designating April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day.
The global celebration is on the theme “Employment: The
Autism Advantage.”
Locally, the Kokomlemle-based Autism Awareness, Care and Training (AACT) centre will lead activities for the day.
Alice Mamaga Akosua Amoako, Autism Ambassador at AACT stresses that “The main issue here is the awareness,” adding “I realise that a lot of work needs to be done. You go out there and no one wants to get these children involved in any social activity. No one wants them to be part of anything they do.”
Locally, the Kokomlemle-based Autism Awareness, Care and Training (AACT) centre will lead activities for the day.
AACT’s Executive Director, Mrs Serwah Quaynor, says that usually
on this day “We gather here, hoping for our family and friends to come and
converge at AACT.”
She added that “It’s about raising awareness and acceptance
for autism. So we are trying to get everybody on board to do that.”
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| Mrs. Serwah Quaynor, ED, AACT Pix Credit: AACT |
Today is even bigger for AACT because it is expecting
hundreds, if not thousands, to arrive in Accra from locations dotted
across the country, converging
at AATC’s Kokomlemle offices ahead of a walk that will terminate at the
Efua Sutherland Children’s Park at Ridge, Accra.
“We have
music, we have a brass band, we have media, we have different schools; and to
get to do an inclusive programme, we have invited schools from the neighbouring
areas and people are coming from different places – from as far as Akosombo.”
She also
indicated that “We have invited the other special schools to come and join us
because it is not about just one centre. It’s about raising awareness and
acceptance for autism. So we are trying to get everybody on board to do that.”
She
disclosed that stigmatization against persons or children living with autism is
“very huge” and so the decision to involve everyone is aimed at helping people
see the capabilities of these children. “We want people to see what is possible
for these children.”
Medical experts explain that autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
is a range of complex neurodevelopment disorders, characterized by social
impairments, communication difficulties, and restricted, repetitive, and
stereotyped patterns of behaviour. The condition is said to usually manifest in
the first three years of a person’s life.
Often, those with the condition are misconstrued to be accursed,
mentally sick, and demon-possessed and consequently confined to prayer camps,
tied to trees or locked up in rooms.
As the root cause is uncertain to medical experts so is the
cure.
The priority for Mrs Quaynor and her centre, therefore, is
that people will become more aware of the condition, accept those living with
it as normal children like everyone else and help to care for them.
The passion for awareness is against the backdrop of
deep-seated stigmatization. “The stigmatization in Ghana is beyond what you can
imagine because the awareness hasn’t reached far enough. We are in Accra but
what about those in the rural areas, those in the hinterlands?” Mrs Quaynor
quizzes.
AACT Educational Director Elorm Duah, who has been a teacher
of children with special needs and difficulties since 2001, concurs that “Our
behaviours and attitudes are not helping.” Alice Mamaga Akosua Amoako, Autism Ambassador at AACT stresses that “The main issue here is the awareness,” adding “I realise that a lot of work needs to be done. You go out there and no one wants to get these children involved in any social activity. No one wants them to be part of anything they do.”
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