Autism and communication are huge on each other! This is because autism affects social interactions and the way people with the condition receive information and express themselves. The effect the condition has on the individual may be in his or her ability to speak or not speak (verbal or nonverbal), make structured sentences, understand sarcasm, rhetorics, speak in turns, understand semantics and a whole lot of other subtleties, including of course eye contact.
On the other hand, quality communication can be achieved and friendships built without the person with ASD having to bother about holding eye contact, sitting still, and many other things.
To my mind, this amongst other reasons makes computers an invaluable asset to people with this unique personality.
I got to meet my beautiful sisters Adelola Edema George and Beauty Kumesine both special educators and advocates at the 12th Annual Autism Conference organized by GTCO themed ‘Creating a Community of Awe-Tism Advocates. It was a great learning experience
It was great hearing from the famous John Paul Hosley, an actor, teacher, and healthcare worker at the Royal Bethlem Hospital, London.
I got these from him;
Right behind you.
Nothing has changed really…
Love overload (each time the child gets sensory overload, give the child love overdose rather than feel ashamed).
My dream of paying a courtesy visit to the Benola Boss, AVM Femi Gbadebo (Rtd) OFR became a reality in 2022!
Hmmmmmm!
I’m still ruminating over the conversation but you can be sure it was multidimensional and thought provoking. As my very senior boss in all spheres of life including ‘the Military family’ I say a loud ‘SHUN SIR!’
Benola; A Cerebral Palsy Initiative is doing a fantastic job putting smiles on the faces of people living with Cerebral Palsy and their families in Nigeria.
Sir, thank you for blazing a trail in Special Needs Advocacy and coming true with your story.
It was a privilege for me to attend the Total School Support Seminar/Exhibition (TOSSE) Conference organized by EDUMARK.
My ears and eyes popped open at the new educational ideas and futuristic perspectives the discussions took and the wares displayed.
There’s hope for the educational system in Nigeria!
Meanwhile, the Super Parents Foundation made a fantastic impression by displaying beautiful bags, hand fans, and other items made by moms with children living with conditions such as autism, Cerebral Palsy, Down syndrome, and much more. My beautiful sister Barr. Folusho Laisu I can’t describe your passion and commitment to inclusivity in Nigeria. Can you see my beautiful bag, you can place an order for your’s you know!
I left with a powerful quote a facilitator shared at the event;
‘The person who follows the crowd will usually go no further than the crowd. The person who walks alone is likely to find himself in places no one has ever seen before…Albert Einstein.
Throwback to when a team of advocates from SafeHOST International Initiative/School and The Engraced Ones had an impactful interaction with pupils of Alkhalifa International School, Kurudu, Abuja.
We had conversations about special conditions like Cerebral Palsy, Dyslexia, and Down syndrome.
After this, it’ll soon be another and another and yet another! As the Themes and global focus change, we seem trapped somewhere in this cycle.
Today I’m considering a condition that is said to be the most common childhood disability. Come to think of it, this Cerebral Palsy is known to be the most expensive, tasking, and probably painful physical disability. Of course, no two cases of CP are the same but then these are accepted facts.
6th October is globally recognized as a day set aside by the United Nations to celebrate warriors with this condition.
One individual, endless sessions of physiotherapy, Occupational therapy, speech, and all kinds of intervention yet with a gloomy verdict of life-long management as against cure. Chai! People with CP and their families dey try!
My thoughts aren’t organized so please pardon me. How can I attempt to write logically in the face of sad realities?
Do you know the average cost of maintaining a child with cerebral palsy?
Look, I don’t want to talk about the focus of this year’s celebration. ‘Technology That Makes lives of people with CP better’. ‘What’s that???’ several indigent parents responded when I tried to have a conversation about this.
What does this mean to a family with a minimum wage of N40,000? Can we pretend not to know that there are still some parents, siblings, teachers, and even medical practitioners who do not know the name of the condition?
Sha, let’s move to the brighter side of this conversation.
My crush is a BLESSING. She’s cute, smart, determined, focused, and eager to learn new things. My cutie isn’t limited by Cerebral Palsy but by the lack of a conducive environment for her to thrive. She’s limited by rejection, poverty, unfriendly stares, and societal barriers.
Anyways, I have great news! I see Blessing soaring above negative perspectives and creating new paths of accomplishment because She’s got FIRE, GRIT, and TENACITY.
I believe in my CP crush.
I love my baby B.
I have millions of reasons to celebrate my warriors on such a beautiful GREEN day!
Right behind you.
family’ I say a loud ‘SHUN SIR!’
and futuristic perspectives the discussions took and the wares displayed.
bag, you can place an order for your’s you know!
