
Rubella epidemic during pregnancy increase risk of autism – Mbakwe By Chioma Umeha Mrs. Helen Mbakwe, is the President, Keera Autism Foundation, (KAF) in Lagos. In this interview with CHIOMA UMEHA (HEALTH EDITOR) Mbakwe, also a lawyer, who has a daughter living with autism, x-rays challenges of parents and children with the condition. Excerpts: Mrs. Helen Mbakwe, is the President, Keera Autism Foundation, (KAF) in Lagos. Give the overview of autism? Autism is a developmental disorder of the brain. It affects children that are less than three years. It is characterised by a problem with social interaction, impairment in verbal and nonverbal communication and a pattern of repetitive behaviour with narrow, restricted interests. Autism is classified as one of a group of disorders known as the pervasive development disorders (PDD) by the American Psychiatric Association. In addition, PDD include Asperger syndrome, which is a childhood disintegrative disorder. This grou