LUCY SAMUEL
Lagos
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To achieve a
society inclusive for majority of persons living with autism, the Guaranty
Trust Bank (GTB) has trained almost 15,000 people on how to manage Autism
Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Segun Agbaje, the Chief
Executive Officer (CEO) of GTB, who
disclosed this in Lagos, also said that while nearly 4,000 children have
benefitted directly from free one-on-one consultation services by professionals
in autism being driven and funded by GTB, more than 12,000 people have
participated in the bank’s annual autism conferences geared to make autistic
persons live independent lives.
Agbaje spoke at the ninth
Annual Autism Programme organised by the GTB with the theme ‘Autism:
Transitions, Vocational Skills and The Role of Technology.’
ASD is a neurological and
developmental disorder that begins early in childhood and lasts throughout a
person’s life. It affects how a person acts and interacts with others,
communicates, and learns.
It includes what used to
be known as Asperger syndrome and pervasive developmental disorders.
In his welcome address at
the conference, which held in Lagos, the CEO of GTB lamented that many people
with autism remain largely dependent on their relatives for all their lives.
Agbaje, said it was
unfortunate that children and adults living with autism still often lack the
support and vocational training they needed to develop critical skills for an
independent and productive life.
“Surely, we have to do something about this,”
Agbaje added, saying, “The focus of this year’s conference is a critical step
in that direction.”
Dr. Mashudat Bello-Majeed,
a Consultant Child Psychiatrist at the Federal Neuro Psychiatric Hospital Yaba,
while delivering a lecture, titled, ‘ASD and Technology - Interface in ASD
Management,’ advocated the use of technological devices to assist people living
with ASD. Technology devices could help autistic children live normal lives,
Bello-Majeed affirmed.
She said; “Autism is not
caused by spiritual or demonic affliction; it is a neuro-degenerational
disorder and that does not mean they cannot live normal lives.
“About 50 per cent of
children living with autism are not verbal; this strengthens the need for
communication gadget for them to be able to express themselves.
“Technology can bring
engaging learning and it brings the better outcome in children living with
autism.”
