EVERY year on 2 April, the world comes together to recognise World Autism Awareness Day.
This day serves not only as a reminder of the many individuals and families living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) but also the lengths taken for early detection and the discrimination, and stigmas faced by those living with it.
According to the health minister's spokesman, Doctor Tshwale, autistic individuals, as well as their parents and caregivers, often face many challenges which should never define them.
“All people, including those with autism, have the right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. However, autistic people are often subjected to stigma and discrimination, including unjust deprivation of care, education, and opportunities to engage and participate in their communities,” he said.
Tshwale said families, communities and government spheres need to come together to support people with autism to thrive and reach their full potential and not discriminate against them.
“They have unique physical, social, mental healthcare and educational needs as a result of their conditions, which require strong collaborative efforts with other government departments such as basic education and social development for the provision of an all-inclusive basket of services for early detection and intervention of ASD to improve their overall health outcomes and lessen long-term suffering and costs of care,” he said.
While inclusion is at the epitome of the daily struggles of those living with autism, so is awareness about autism and diagnosing it before it is too late.
Autism is primarily caused by nature (a genetic disorder), but the severity of autism can be influenced by nurture (environmental factors).
Symptoms and causes of autism may differ from child to child, but some common symptoms include:
Difficulty with social interactions,
Delayed speech and language skills.
Repetitive behaviours.
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According to the World Health Organisation, about 1 in every 100 children globally has autism.
In South Africa, local studies have found the prevalence of autism to be between 0,08% to 2%. This condition is mainly found to be more prevalent in males than females.
According to Health Department spokesman Foster Mohale, autism can be a life-long condition, but through appropriate and tailored support, children and adults with autism can make significant progress and live fulfilling lives.
Among those early detection tips given by Mohale are standardised ASD screening and diagnostic tools to detect disorders like ASDs and intervene early, as studies have shown that the median age of diagnosis of these conditions is between 18 to 24 months.
Early diagnosis and intervention of autism can significantly impact the child’s development and help families understand their child’s strengths and challenges and create a personalised treatment and support plan, he added.
While there is no cure for autism spectrum disorders, Mohale said some medications are used to help people with ASD function better.
He said these medications can treat co-occurring symptoms such as high energy levels, inability to focus, or self-harming behaviour, including head banging or hand biting.
"Treatment can also help manage co-occurring mental health problems, such as anxiety or depression, and physical conditions, such as seizures and sleep problems," Mohale said.
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