Experts, Stakeholders continue to advocate for more support and inclusivity of Autistic Persons in the society, making them have a sense of belonging.

 

This was one of the major discussions at the 14th Annual GTCO Autism Conference with the theme “A Spectrum of Possibilities”.

 

Persons living with the condition frequently encounter challenges in communication and social interactions, making daily life tough and difficult for them, the conference however brings to fore the need to integrate this person’s into the society by looking at the possibilities in the spectrum.

 

The Two Day event held at Muson Center in Lagos had 18 Facilitators and Speakers who spoke on different topics on the subject matter.

 

In the opening remarks of the Group Chief Executive Officer, GTCO, Segun Agbaje, on the conference themed: “A Spectrum of Possibilities,” commended the efforts of the experts in this field and partner organisations who have continued to support the Orange Ribbon Initiative, an initiative aimed at supporting persons with developmental disabilities.

 

“A major component of this initiative is the annual GTCO Autism Conference, designed to amplify the challenges faced by individuals with ASD and provide practical support to help them integrate successfully into society,” he added.

 

Eniola Lahanmi, a Speech and Language Therapist who on Fundamental Communication Strategies for Children with Autism, said that there is no sort of limitations on what People on the spectrum can achieve, but, basically they need support for them to be more effective.

 

She stressed that the sky is the limit for them, adding that it is paramount to work on their strength and not their weakness.

 

“Over the years, there have been a lot of awareness, and a lot has been achieved, but we aren’t resting on our oars as there is still a lot of awareness to be done in the hinterlands.

 

“It is necessary for us to give Autistic Persons a sense of belonging and put aside unnecessary stigmatization. Let us provide an avenue for them where they would thrive, and achieve their goals”.

 

In the same vein, Lanre Duyile, a certified behaviour analyst, Behaviourprise College of Business and Health Studies, Canada, said that instead of seeing disabilities in Autistic Persons, rather we should see possibilities in them. There is no limitations in them, but full of hope and possibilities.

 

“We focus on their strength, though, we all have limitations, because nobody is perfect. Folks with Autism have limitations but we work on them to be independent and do great things. We just need to understand them, show them love, encourage them and always see the possibilities in them for them to thrive.

 

“People living with Autism needs inclusivity and Autism is in three phase, Mild, Moderate and Severe, when we talk about inclusion we need to understand them and their diagnosis”, he said.

 

In a goodwill message, Wife of Lagos State governor, Ibijoke Claudiana Sanwo-Olu, called for more support for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder, ASD, stressing that there is a need to create a society where people with autism can thrive and enhance their potential.

 

Sanwo Olu added she is envisaging a situation where every community in Lagos State puts out pictorials and visual aids that will assist people with autism to navigate easily.

 

“Assume that the whole community has pictorials all over the place, like in our schools, mosques, churches, and universities. It will encourage more people to take part in these possibilities we are talking about.”

 

She also encouraged parents to imbibe experts’ advice at the conference, adding that “the experts kept emphasizing keeping it simple and short.

 

“We need to spread love for children with autism. I must applaud parents, caregivers, and teachers for the wonderful work that they are doing to ensure that children with autism thrive. It’s not easy to care for our special needs children, as we need to adapt alternative communication skills and teaching styles to enable us to communicate with them”, Sanwo Olu said.