Living with autism as a child must be one of the heaviest weight on children living with the spectrum. Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects the child’s developmental stages such as delayed speech and making eye contact. When a child is growing up, one needs to identify these changes and support the child to advance in each stage of growth. However, when there are delays, you need to seek professional and medical help.

Therapy sessions

Through structured educational programs and specialized therapies such as speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and sensory integration activities, children are given the tools they need to better navigate the world around them.

Signs and symptoms

According to specialists, some early signs parents should watch for include, limited eye contact, delayed speech or lack of babbling, not responding when their name is called, preference for playing alone, repetitive behaviours such as hand-flapping or lining up objects, strong reactions to certain sounds, textures, or lights. While these signs do not automatically mean a child has autism, professionals encourage parents to seek professional advice if they notice developmental concerns.

Support for neurodiversity

In Ghana, conversations about autism are gradually shifting from stigma to understanding. Schools, health professionals, and advocacy groups are working to ensure that families receive the information and support they need. Parents need to undergo counselling and therapy themselves to accept the child’s condition and to stop being in denial. Children on the spectrum should be included in social interactions to help them belong and to perform daily activities better.