Why children with autism shouldn’t be hidden

CHILDREN with autism should be enrolled in mainstream schools as there are teachers specialised in helping pupils with special needs, an Education Officer for Siha District in Kilimanjaro Region, Rose Sandi has said.

Ms Sandi said here that the government had put in place an all-inclusive programme that caters for children with special needs.

“Let’s not hide them for fear of stigma, we have a special programme that caters for their needs,” she said during unveiling of teaching aid for children with autism in Siha on Friday.

Ms Sandi said children with autism could become independent and of good use to any nation once they get enrolled in schools.

“No child should left behind because they deserve equal treatment just like other normal students,” added the Siha District Education officer.

She underscored the importance non-autistic people to be more inclusive and welcoming of their neurodivergent peers.

For her part, the director of Connects Autism Tanzania (CAT) Grace Anna Lyimo lauded Siha District for taking a lead role in embracing inclusive education for children with autism.

“Of all the places that CAT operates, Siha is certainly a role model in incorporating autistic pupils,” said Ms Lyimo whose son Eric, also suffers from Autism.

The Connects Autism Tanzania director said her non-profit organization strives to support people living with autism and co-occurring conditions through capacity building, advocacy, community awareness and developing opportunities for success.

Studies have shown that about 44 percent of people with autism have above average intellectual abilities.

It is estimated that 70 million people are affected by autism worldwide, making it an urgent public health priority that requires increasing global awareness, services and research.

A report in the American Journal of Public Health released in March 21, 2017 says children with autism are three times as likely to die from an injury than the general population.

The study suggests that deaths among people with autism are up 700 percent since 1999 and that people suffering from the condition die at age 36 on averages, half the age of the general population’s average death age of 72.