BIC Funds Autism Pilot Project
Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Wednesday July 20, 2016 15:55
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by impaired social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication, and restricted and repetitive behaviour.
“This project is an integrated pilot project of both Autism Botswana and Camphill Community Trust. As BIC we have decided to support it as our objective is giving back to the community. This sponsorship is part of the funding needed to successfully complete the project activities,” said BIC managing director, Johann Classen.
He added that the principal objective of the project was to enable all people with disabilities to have the best opportunity to achieve a life of dignity, respect, opportunity and community inclusion through access to early intervention, education and training that is appropriate to their individual needs.
“Through screening procedures, children who have been identified with autism or other developmental delays are receiving appropriate interventions that would give them a better chance to progress in educational placement. The aim of this project is to ultimately develop the capacity of Autism Botswana to be a resource that is sustainable and able to provide advocacy and support to people with autism and their families,” he said.
Classen explained their support towards the organisation as a significant cause and a plight that would help many Batswana. He said because autism affected so many lives, intense public education was required.
According to Autism Botswana and Ranaka Pilot Project consultant, Maleshwane Mauco, parents usually notice signs in the first two years of their child’s life. However, she pointed out that in the country, people do not know about autism. She said that was because Batswana mistake the disorder as any ordinary disability not knowing that there was a high chance of correcting autism if detected early.
“These signs often develop gradually, though some autistic children reach their developmental milestones at a normal pace and then regress. The diagnostic criteria requires that symptoms become apparent in early childhood, typically before age three,” she said. She said early speech or behavioural interventions could help autistic children gain self-care, social, and communication skills.
Although there is no known cure, there have been reported cases of children who recovered, she said.“Not many autistic people live independently after reaching adulthood, though some become successful. An autistic culture has developed with some individuals seeking a cure and others believing autism should be accepted as a difference and not treated as a disorder,” Mauco said.
However, she expressed a great concern over some people who tend to hide their autistic children or relatives saying that not exposing them to the public or not seeking help was equivalent to denying them a chance to recover. She further pointed out that the Ranaka project has helped them tremendously as people are starting to understand the disorder and some had brought forth their children.“We are currently working with 22 children with the disorder and are hoping the number will increase with time. We hope in future our organisation would be able to help the whole country,” she said.