The Daily Graphic published a story on its front page on Wednesday, July 12, with the headline "Autism must not be death warrant: GT Bank rolls out big action." The tale showed how, despite having autism, 16-year-old Phil Bertino was excelling in sports like bicycling, swimming, and other pursuits. It also brought to light how difficult it was for Phil Bertino's parents to give him the medical and psychological care he needed to lead a normal lifestyle.
The monetary investments Phil Bertino's parents made in his life, from pricey medical treatments and other procedures to providing him with specialized visual education, were clear from his success story. Children with autism can benefit both themselves and the community if they receive the necessary care and support, as demonstrated by Phil Bertino's success story.
However, it seems that autism has not received the proper care, and many people are unaware of the condition. The development of a person's communication and social interaction skills is impacted by the neurological condition known as autism, which affects normal brain function. Millions of people worldwide are affected by this lifelong problem. Autism spectrum disorder is characterized by delayed social skills, repetitive behavior, and difficulty with speech and nonverbal communication, according to the Center for Learning and Childhood Development( CLCD).
It is a cerebral and developmental condition that affects children from an early age and persists for life. Although the causes of autism remain a secret, research has linked them to genes and the atmosphere. According to the US-based Center for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 1% of people worldwide suffer from autism spectrum disorder( ASD).
According to the World Health Organization( WHO), one out of every 160 kids worldwide has autism spectrum disorder. The CLCD estimates that 38.7% of Ghanaian children under the age of 14 are affected, despite the lack of information on the continent of Africa. According to a 2017 record from the Autism Society of Ghana, 400,000 people in Ghana are disabled. The Daily Graphic is concerned because some people in the nation attribute the circumstance to witchcraft or a divine plague. People with autism deal with prejudice, prejudices, and various forms of abuse as a result of this attitude. Additionally, those who have autistic children usually criticize the society in which they live and their parents and caregivers.
Even worse, it can be very challenging for the majority of parents of children with autism to provide for them properly due to their financial struggles. In addition to the typical costs that parents without adhd must pay, caring for disabled children entails higher medical costs, more expensive transportation, and higher educational costs.
Abigail Asempa, the superintendent of the non-profit AwaaAwaa2 organization that raises children with special needs, expressed concern over the government's "zero interest" in the plight of autistic children. According to The Daily Graphic, it is time for the government to support those with autism by providing them with a unique clinical care package. Additionally, it's crucial to provide centers for the education of autistic children with special incentives.
Once more, we at the Daily Graphic think that in order for people with autism to function better and advance the nation, society must accept them as everyone else. Therefore, attitudinal change in attitudes toward people with autism, their parents, and caregivers is required by the general public. Actors from both states and non-states must participate in the support of autistic children. The Daily Graphic thanks the Guaranteed Trust( GT) Bank for launching a $2 million initiative to support autistic children and their caregivers in light of this.
