The Team Lead of the Initiative for National Growth Africa, Mrs Racheal Inegbedion, has said that children living with Autism Spectrum Disorder need mental and physical support to become relevant in the society.

 

Inegbedion made the statement on Saturday in Lagos during a community awareness walk on autism spectrum disorder organised by the Initiative for National Growth Africa in partnership with the Autism Awareness Place.

 

She said the walk was necessary to senstise the community about Autism spectrum disorder, a neuro-developmental disorder characterised by social impairments, communication difficulties, restricted, repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behaviour.

 

“This walk objective was aimed at eradicating stigmatisation, promote inclusiveness and equal opportunities for people living with mental disabilities in anticipation towards the International World Disabilities Day event held on December 3, 2018.

 

“Autism is caused by a series of challenges with the brain and that occurs at the early stage of life. The symptoms to look out for in children includes hand flapping, repeatedly head bangs, withdrawal from others, which could last several hours, depending on the severity of the condition; lack of response to voice or sound, lack of eye contact, missing speech milestones or not making basic sentences, problem with food, textures or clothing and sensory issues, as well as other behavioural and mental disabilities,” Inegbedion said.

 

She noted that the initiative was also aimed at correcting the wrong and improving the neurological and physical stability of children living with autism spectrum disorder.