2nd April every year is marked and celebrated as world autism awareness day. The theme for this year 2022 world autism awareness day is - " inclusion in the workplace": challenges and opportunities in a post - pandemic world. Inclusive education is the key to the transformative promise of the sustainable development goals, " to leave no one behind. This year, the theme of the world autism awareness day 2022 which focuses on "inclusive quality education for all", marking the global inequalities in education faced by people with autism and emphasizing the significant need for quality education for all individuals affected with autism. Inclusive education plays a vital role in nurturing a better society for people with autism, which will further help them unlock their full potentials to achieve long term career success and a better quality of life. The term "autism stems from the Greek word " autos" meaning "self", autism literally means " alone". Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social and language communication, as well as repetitive behaviours and restricted interests. Autism is a cognitive condition that impairs one's capability of interaction and communication. Let us work to make a more inclusive community this autism awareness day. World autism awareness day is an internationally recognized day on April 2 every year, encouraging member states of the united nations to take measures to raise awareness about people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) throughout the world. The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) declared April 2 as world autism awareness day in 2008 to draw the attention to the growing need for innovative programs designed to support those with autism now and in future. The day also celebrates the stories and lives of those with autism, it is important to remember that autism is a lifelong condition with varying degrees of severity. It is important to continue to support research for treatment and therapies that will improve the lives of those with autism. We must all learn to speak out about autism to help eliminate the stigma associated with the condition.
Today is world autism awareness day and it puts a spotlight on the hurdles that people with autism face everyday. Awareness plays a vital role in nurturing a better society for people with autism. The day is equally crucial in reminding global community and initiatives towards spreading information on autism disorder and eradicating the barriers associated with the condition. This day provides an opportunity to educate and spread awareness for those who have autism spectrum disorder in the hopes that through proper education, better intervention strategies will be developed for inclusiveness among those who have autism for a better and a fairer society. This day aims to foster understanding and acceptance for those with autism. To also foster worldwide support and inspire people. It is a day that spreads kindness and autism awareness. Each year, organizations around the world celebrates this day to spread awareness and acceptance of individuals with autism. Autism is a development disorder where the child withdraws into self and lives in a fantasy world of his or her own creation. But there are parts of autism that we don't see, the difficulties, the struggles and above all the stigma. On world autism awareness day, l speak out against discrimination, celebrate the diversity of our global community, and strengthen my commitment to inclusion for people with autism. Autism is not a disease, it's not contagious, it's not an intellectual disability, it's not lacking empathy, it's not being socially awkward, but autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects the way how a person perceives the world and socializes with others. The disorder begins in childhood and lasts through adulthood.
Children and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have a wide range of disabilities. Some people cannot speak at all and many have delayed or limited verbal communication. On world autism awareness day, let's reaffirm our commitment to raise awareness on autism and extend our support to the people living with the condition. Let's us all work towards creating an inclusive environment for them so that everyone leads a fulfilling life. According to the national autism association, autism affects 1 in 59 children. Since the year 2000, the rate has consistently increased from 1 in 150 to now 1 in 44 children being diagnosed with autism. The diagnosis rate is rising by 10 - 17% each year. Autism prevalence has increased 178% since 2000. Boys are 5 times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than girls. 31% of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have an intellectual disability (lQ < 70), 25% are in the borderline range (lQ 71 - 85) and 44% have average to above average lQ scores (lQ > 85). The bio- neurological developmental disability usually presents itself by the age of 3, and it is more prevalent in boys than girls. According to world health organization (WHO), about 1 in 160 children have autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We need to care for people at our communities and social levels striving for more accessibility, inclusivity and support. Every day activities can look like a maze for people on the spectrum. Some of the symptoms of autism are; developmental learning delays, difficulty communicating, difficulty in social situations, attachment to unusual interests and difficulty understanding emotions. Let's remind ourselves that autism is not a disability, it is a different ability.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex lifelong developmental condition that appears in children as early as 2 years old. Early intervention and identification can improve learning, communication and social skills through applied behaviour analysis (ABA) and speech/ occupational therapy. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can impact a person's relationships, self regulation, social and communication skills. The autism experience is different for everyone. While there is no known single cause for autism, it is generally accepted that it is caused by differences in brain structure or genetic factors. Early diagnosis and intervention can greatly support healthy development and deliver benefits across a lifespan. 1 in 5 children between the ages of 1 and 3 experience developmental regression or loss of skills such as language and social interests. There is no medical tests such as blood or MRI brain scans for diagnosing autism. Nearly half of those with autism wander or bolt from safety. Nearly two - thirds of children with autism between the ages of 6 and 15 have been bullied. Nearly 28% of 8 years old with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have self injurious behaviours. Head banging, arm biting and skin scratching are among the most common. Drowning remains a leading cause of death for children with autism and accounts for 90% of deaths associated with wandering and bolting by those ages 14 and younger.
#WorldAutismAwarenessDay2022 #sdg3 #GlobalGoals #leavenoonebehind #decadeofaction WHONigeria #WHOAfrica #WHO #UNICEFNigeria #UNICEFAfrica #UNICEF #unnigeria #unitednations.
BRIEF PERSONAL PROFILE OF ENOBONG EKWERE - SOCIAL ACTIVIST/ DEVELOPMENT EXPERT IN NIGERIA.
Comrade Enobong Ekwere is a social influencer, blogger, vlogger, human rights activist, peace practitioner, grassroot social mobilizer, SDGs advocate and a global citizen. Enobong Ekwere also have vast knowledge and professional expertise in copy writing, content creation, online and offline media campaigning. He is the program manager of children and young people living for peace (CYPLP), an organic, volunteer of experts, youth focused and a think-tank non-governmental organization based in Kaduna state, Nigeria. A Higher National Diploma (HND) graduate of Public Administration (Upper Credit) from the Federal Polytechnic, Bida, Niger State, Nigeria. Enobong Ekwere holds a proficiency certificate in management from the Nigerian Institute of Management, Chartered (NIM) Lagos, Nigeria. He is also a graduate member of the institute (Associate member in view). He works with young people in local communities across Nigeria localizing the sustainable development goals (SDGs) (SDG16+ SDG4 and SDG5 in particular) and positive peace frameworks in Nigeria, accelerating action online and offline, engaging duty bearers and policy makers to be accountable for it's implementation by 2030. He is a strong advocate of peace, good governance and democracy, accountability in government, freedom of information, freedom of expression, access to information, free press, social justice and social inclusion. As a youth advocate and a global leader who loves to see social reforms in the society, he uses his personalized blog to write compelling stories on developmental and topical issues on national and global concern that shapes and transform people's lives and impact the larger society for knowledge transfer and lifelong learning. He engages in community service and volunteerism, community outreach, social mobilization and advocacy tours to hard to reach local communities in Nigeria advocating and advancing the cause of the SDGs (SDG16+ SDG4 and SDG5 in particular) so that no community and youth in Kaduna state and Nigeria at large would be left behind. CYPLP as an organization works primarily in serving vulnerable population of children, youth, elderly persons, people living with disabilities (PLWD's) and women in unserved, underserved, underrepresented and marginalized local communities in Nigeria.
My areas of competence in peace education and peace building process includes;
1. Conflict mapping, sensitivity and analysis
2. Negotiation, mediation and reconciliation
3. Interreligious and intercultural dialogue
4. Protection of civilians
5. Disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR)
6. Security sector reforms (SSR)
7. Mainstreaming gender in peace keeping
8. Mainstreaming gender in peace and state building
9. Crisis management/resolution
10. Media and conflict
11. Conflict and natural resources
12. Conflict prevention
13. Peace support operations (PSOs)
14. Post- conflict reconstruction and development
15. Humanitarian action
16. Transnational organized crime
17. Piracy and maritime security
18. Preventing violent extremism (PVE) etc.
Enobong Ekwere has an extensive professional working experience in projects such as;
1. PRELT (Prevention of radicalization and extremism leading to terrorism)
2. BRAVE (Building resilience against violent extremism)
3. iDOVE (Interfaith dialogue on violent extremism) in local communities across Kaduna state and Nigeria at large.
I have initiated two projects to counter religious and violent extremism among the youths in local communities in Nigeria, and one empowerment program, these are;
1. CAARE ( Countering Attitudes Against Religious Extremism)
2. CAAVE (Countering Attitudes Against Violent Extremism)
3. NEET (Not in Education, Empowerment or Training) an empowerment training program aimed at training vulnerable population of young people in local communities in Nigeria with leadership skills, entrepreneurial and vocational skills acquisition.
He can be reached via:
Tel/WhatsApp: +2347082558952
Email: julyenobong2020@gmail.com
: enobongekwere825@gmail.com
MY PERSONAL SOCIAL MEDIA HANDLES:
FACEBOOK:
https://www.facebook.com/enobong.ekwere.372
TWITTER:
http://www.twitter.com/Enobongekwere2
INSTAGRAM:
http://www.instagram.com/enobongekwere825
LINKEDIN:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/enobong-ekwere-3271b116b
MY ORGANIZATION'S SOCIAL MEDIA HANDLES:
FACEBOOK:
https://www.facebook.com/cyplp.net.ng/
TWITTER:
http://www.twitter.com/youngpeoplefor/
INSTAGRAM:
http://www.instagram.com/cyplp/
WEBSITE:
www.cyplp.net.ng
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