Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that can cause social communication challenges, difficulties with social interaction, and repetitive behaviours.
People with ASD experience the world differently from others.
It is for this reason that the Mental Health Officer with the Effia Health Centre, Edward Cudjoe, is calling for an end to stigmatization against persons with autism.
Speaking with Ampemg Darko, host of Spice FM, Morning Show, Mr. Edward Cudjoe mentions that persons with autism need support and love from individuals.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, autism affects approximately 1 in every 68 children.
It tends to affect boys more frequently than girls with studies showing 1 in 42 boys and 1 in 189 girls are diagnosed with ASD.
While the prevalence of autism has increased in recent years, this may be due to improvements in the ability to identify and diagnose this disorder, not necessarily that more children are developing it.
According to him, expectant mothers should regularly visit antenatal care to be monitored by healthcare providers.
World Autism Day is an annual celebration of autistic people to raise awareness of developmental disorders and neurodivergence.
This day is celebrated on April 2 every year, as designated by the United Nations. Some nations, like the United Kingdom, celebrate Autism Awareness Week around World Autism Day.
Many autism advocates stress that autism awareness isn’t the goal since most people are aware of autism. Instead, autism acceptance is the goal.
Autism acceptance means listening to autistic individuals and learning from their stories.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 1 in 44 children is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
