Autism in Nigeria: My side of the story

Autism in Nigeria: My side of the story
By Mazi Okey-Martins Nwokolo
Centre for Autism & Developmental Disabilities (CADD), Nigeria.
E-mail: okmartins@gmail.com or okmartins@caddnigeria.org






Perhaps one of the best ways to understand the challenges faced by individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) is to pause and imagine the pervasive nature of the disorder itself. Autism by definition is a pervasive developmental disability that manifests during the first three years of life and causes significant impairments in Language/ communication, social interaction and behaviour. Many of those living with the condition also present with a range of sensory sensitivity and integration difficulties. In this connection therefore, each person with autism is dealing with at least 3 different impairment conditions and these 3 at different levels of severity. An individual with ASD therefore, experiences major difficulties in at least three areas of development which ultimately sets him up for more difficulties as he or she functions in family and larger society. The specific cause of autism is not known as yet but researchers have linked it to a sophisticated interaction of genetic and environmental factors. Early intervention is currently the best hope of treatment for persons affected. People with the condition appear physically normal and do not have any obvious look or feature that marks them apart. This seeming advantage of not “looking different” makes people with autism and other ‘unseen’ disabilities more vulnerable to being abused and misunderstood as bewitched or demonised.




A bit of History

The history of autism is generally recent when compared with other well-known developmental disabilities such as Mongolian idiocy (now known as Down syndrome) and Cerebral Palsy. There is a consensus of opinion amongst professionals and researchers that it was Leo Kanner and Hans Asperger who first made formal description of autism and Aspergers disorders respectively in 1943 and 1944. This means that autism awareness is only barely seventy one years old this year. As Volkmar and Wiesner (2004) reported, although autism was first described in 1943, it was not “officially” recognised as a disorder until 1980”. It is not unlikely however, that people with autism existed before 1943, what seems most likely is that as a diagnostic category, autism was non-existent before 1943. Those who had the condition were mostly regarded as mentally retarded and uneducable. Although this perception has since been corrected by health and education ministries of many countries who hitherto categorized the condition under mental retardation, the situation in many African nations including Nigeria seems to hark back to pre-1943 America, when children with autism were thought to be schizophrenic or mentally retarded, and when maternal deprivation and spiritual causation held sway as explanations for its cause. In many parts of Nigeria today, particularly in rural areas, people with autism are thought to be possessed or evil (Nwokolo, 2007).




Nigeria Story of Autism:

A few years ago, autism was believed by many to be rare and foreign. A well-known medical director is reputed for his infamous comment that autism is " oyinbo wahala and not in Nigeria”. He was right but only right in 1943 I guess! It is not true when he said it in 2007 and is even more untrue today. His erroneous comment which strengthened ignorance about the condition but became a campaign theme in the autism Awareness effort of that era. We made special T-shirts with the following words boldly printed: Autism is Nigeria! Placards were made and “Autism is not only Oyinbo Wahala" boldly written on them and used for our road walks in Lagos and other states. In Nigeria today, there are persons with autism who are now in their twenties and early thirties who were not diagnosed at childhood. This suggests that autism has been with us long before year 2004 when it became news material in Nigeria media.

Many an effort to provide services for people with autism in Nigeria begun mostly as a result of parent’s frustration with the lack of provision and understanding about the condition. The first schools/centers opened for children with autism were located in Ogba and Ilupeju both in Lagos. One Mrs. Chikelu who lived at Adeniyi Jones Ikeja area of Lagos, had returned from overseas with her handsome son diagnosed with autism. She realized that her son didn't quite fit into the available special schools for the mentally retarded or handicapped as they were popularly called. Regular schools won't also admit him either because they feared they lack appropriate skills or simply didn’t want 'the evil spirits to transfer" to other kids. Compelled by her conviction that her son is capable of learning and exploring his talents, she alongside other families set up a centre somewhere at Ogba. Owing to lack of support and funding, the centre could not survive beyond it's sixth year or so. I visited the Chikelu's in year 2003 and still have memories of the lady who was then in her late 50's. She welcomed me and shared the story of her journey with autism. Her son who was in his early twenties welcomed me with an awesome smile and what seemed like an official handshake.
Mrs. Chikelu commended me for showing interest in autism and regretted that age and funding had impaired her effort to keep the Ogba Centre running until it folded up. She shared a similar story about a lady who ran a special school at Ilupeju area of Lagos as well. I poorly remember the place as 'Olusesi' and do not have much details but I met two parents who said their children were there at some point. The school also closed down long ago.

Mrs. Chikelu told me about another mom at Abuja who also set up a school for persons with autism. Her name is Mrs. Blankson. Like Mrs. Chikelu, Mrs. Blankson also had a teenage son with autism. She is the founder of the National Autistic Society of Nigeria, which according to her, was commissioned by the federal government years ago. It took me several months before I was able to contact Mrs. Blankson. First I got through to her Abuja line and introduced myself as a teaching assistant studying Psychology at the University of Lagos and that I am interested in joining the association and possibly help in promoting awareness about autism across the country. After several other telephone conversations, I went to Abuja and met with her. She came across as a ‘take-it-easy’ conservative lady who seems to have tried all possible ways. I was to meet the son some months after, at an event in Abuja and he shared his thoughts on possible way forward for autism in Nigeria. The next time I saw Mrs. Blankson was on April 2nd 2012 at the event where the representative of the First Lady alongside three ministers (led by Hon. Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu ) ratified April 2nd of each year beginning 2012 as Autism Awareness Day. Mrs. Blankson took a moment to narrate her experiences both as a parent of someone with autism as well as a pioneer in setting up a school for people with the condition.

Dr. Helen Nwanze, my boss of 5 years is the most intelligent human being I have ever met personally. She is a Senior Research Fellow at the College of Medicine; a Speech Pathologist and holds a doctorate degree in Developmental Psychology. She set up an organization known as Acceleration Therapy and alongside her South African consultant, offered therapeutic interventions to children with speech delays and developmental conditions including autism spectrum disorders. She was the pioneer of one-on-one in-home therapy and she worked through trained aides in clients homes. She was later to regret that many of her aides left her to start their own services. I have also personally experienced the same thing. Once you recruit and train a young graduate on how to implement a certain teaching and therapeutic programme, he leaves to set up his or her own ‘professional’ service. Many of these aides had little experience or background in designing or supervising intervention programs but went on anyway. Because they charge relatively lower fees and because the qualified practioners have case overloads and long waiting lists, many untrained paraprofessionals are having massive patronage. They are having a field day advertising themselves over the internet and sharing handbills as autism professionals. Many children’s potentials have been compromised and much needed time and money wasted in engaging services of quarks offering all kinds of autism programmes. They take advantage of the critical shortage of trained experts and the ever growing demand for services by the rising population of persons with autism.

This is the reason some of us are now calling for operational standards of practice and protection of vulnerable children and families. Services for individuals with autism are very expensive in all parts of the world and the financial burden will overwhelm an average family if left alone.
It is public knowledge that in most parts of UK and the US, individuals with autism spectrum disorders receive free education and can access specialised services such as speech therapy, occupational therapy and similar specialised professional services. In addition, government through various health, education and related agencies provides a system of support from diagnosis through intervention to family respite support systems. Parents in Nigeria have to perform these roles. As a parent of someone with ASD in Nigeria, it is your responsibility to navigate your way through the entire process of knowing whether your child has issues or not, knowing or finding out what special needs he has, accessing and paying the cost all the way. If as a mum, you are under someone’s employment you may not get as much off days as you need to get search for the help you desperately need for your child. Even those who are wealthy and can afford services at any cost often find, that, though they would have preferred to reside in Nigeria with their families, services are either inadequate or non-existent. They may get frustrated in the process and in many cases end up with ineffective services, accept their fate as “that’s how God wants it” or wisely relocate abroad. Recently, a bank in Nigeria brought some professionals from United States and together with a team of Doctors at the Lagos University Teaching Hospitals (L.U.T.H) they offered free evaluations and diagnosis.
They did this in April of 2013 and 2014 as part of events in commemoration of Autism Awareness month. Most children I have personally encountered, who have had a formal diagnosis, went abroad to do it. But quite a number were diagnosed by paediatricians and psychiatrists based in some of the University Teaching Hospitals. There are quite a number without a formal diagnosis and many of them are being referred by school staffs who suspect something is not quite right.

What services are available for children diagnosed as having autistic spectrum disorders and learning difficulties?
In Nigeria today, when parents confirm that it is autism they have to deal with, their first action is to ask their doctors what they should do. Since speech and language difficulties are usually the most presenting concern of parents here, Doctors recommend speech therapy. In search of speech therapy, majority end up at the E.N.T department at LUTH. Some are further referred for neurological and audiological/hearing tests. Majority of those needing hearing tests go to the Army audiological centre, Yaba. There are many privately owned audiological centres as well. It is usually this testing centres that make referrals or simply suggest schools, centres and therapists that welcome children with autism. Some parents begin to search the internet for more contacts and until they decide what to do. Some are helped by word of mouth by teachers and parents who may have seen a similar case. Presently, almost everyone involved with autism in Nigeria, is likely to end up at one time or the other calling up the organisations listed below. Those who don’t may end up in a regular school that claims to support learners with special needs; a school for the mentally handicapped; motherless babies home; SOS Villages or just hidden at home.




Lagos:

1. Acceleration Therapy c/o Dr. Mrs. H. Nwanze
This organisation provides shadow support to children with special needs including autism in mainstream schools in Lagos. They also work in clients home but does not operate a school or specialised centre. The founder is a speech pathologist and has a doctorate degree in Developmental Psychology.
2. AUTISM ASSOCIATES Centre for Autism & Developmental Disabilities (CADD) C/o Okey-Martins
Although the CADD & Autism Associates does offer therapeutic services to a handful of children, their primary focus is on advocacy, awareness and teacher training. They operate an information and training centre in Lagos and Asaba.

3. Patrick Speech & Languages Centre c/o Mrs. Akande
http://pslcautism-ng.org/index.html
This day centre caters for children with speech and language difficulties including autism. It was founded in year 2006 by a former banker and parent, Mrs. Akande.
4. The Learning Place Centre c/o Mrs. B. Oduwole
http://www.tlpcentre.com/
This centre provides a range of therapeutic services including ABA to children with autism and other developmental disabilities.
5. Smartbase c/o Mrs. J. Osho
6. Children Development Centre, c/o Dr. Akindayomi
7. Dr. Asikhia at Ajah axis
Abuja
1. OLG Foundation c/o Dr.( Mrs). Izuwah
2. Zamarr Institute c/o Mrs. R. Khatagum
Enugu
1. Therapeutic Day Care Centre c/o Mrs H. Ebigbo
Asaba
1. Centre for Autism & Developmental Disabilities (CADD) Okey-Martins
Port Harcourt
1. Blazing Heart Autism Centre c/o Mrs. B. Kumesin
2. OLG Foundation c/o Dr.( Mrs). Izuwah






Professionals with Interest in Autism

Below is a list of the people in Nigeria that are working in the area of autism and or have shown interest at one time or the other that I know.
1. Okey-Martins NWOKOLO
080 3911 2839
okmartins@gmail.com


2. Professor Alice R. NTE
080 3341 0046
08085045002
alicernte@yahoo.com

3. Dr. Edward ALIKOR
080 3309 7515
Achi_alikor@yahoo.com


4. Dr. Yinka AKINDAYOMI
01 470 2688
commpaed@yahoo.com

5. Mrs. Dotun AKANDE
080 3301 9865
Dakande2002@yahoo.com

6. Mrs. Ronke KATAGUM
080 5864 9760
kdjkatagum@yahoo.com

7. Dr. Helen NWANZE
080 2315 1105
070 2569 3133
helennwanze@yahoo.co.uk

8. Mrs. Bolanle ADEWOLE
080 3385 6735
badewole@thelearningplaceng.com

9. Professor Princewill Chukwuemeka STANLEY
080 3310 8729
Stanleypc2001@yahoo.com






Others Include:
Mrs. Hilda Twins.................Special Educationist ....................... 07035046190
2. Dr. T.C Obani..........................Special Educator.
.obanitim@yahoo.co.uk
3. Mrs. Edgar.......................................................Occupational Therapist (Indian)..........................................08059862969
4. Grace Bamigboye..........................................Speech Therapist....................................................................08055780090
5. Dr. Ireen Okeke-Igbokwe..............................Audiologist @ Army Audiological Centre Yaba.................(c/o her PA: Ikenna Madu: .08028081894)
6. Dr. Ibi Agiobu-Kemmer .................................Developmental Psychologist, ..............................................ikemmer@yahoo.com 08055417895
7. Dr. F. Akinsola........................ .Developmental Psychologist ...............................................foluk6@yahoo.com 08055481270
8. Isa A. Gabriel of Playsmart Concepts……..08097999977
9. Lola Aneke……….A special educationist based in Abuja
10. Dr. Barnabas…….An Audiologist based in Ikeja area.
11. Sumbal Mooen.......08036525630





The above listing may not be exhaustive since there is a possibility of omitting names of individuals and organisations who are either too new or whose work and operation are not in the public knowledge in Nigeria. Quite a number of regular/mainstream schools advertise that they admit children with autism but I have been to many and will not refer my clients there. This is because most of these schools, though they admit our children (and charge them fees higher than their peers without special needs), lack staff who have training in special education needs. Some of the well-known schools that admitted children with autism from time to time include;
1. American International School, Lagos. (Unfortunately, they dropped the idea of inclusion in March 2014 and stopped admitting learners with autism. I worked there as an instructional aide consultant from 2010- 2014).
2. Greenwood School
3. Grange School, Ikeja GRA
4. Meadow Hall Lekki
5. ChalcedonrySchool, Ajah
6. The Learning Place ( linked to the Learning Place Centre)
7. Children International School (CIS)
8. Heritage Montessori Yaba


Are these services free of charge?

Services are not free in any of the above mentioned organisations. Students have to pay. It costs between N150, 000 and N400, 000 or more to get support in these centres for a term of 3months. One-on-one services at home can be very expensive too depending on the location of client and experience of the therapists. For example, one family in Victoria Island pays N4, 500 per hour of therapy and for 5 hours (3 in school and 2 after school) 20 hours a week. And this excludes tuition at the private day school their daughter attends.
Reckon that this further excludes costs of her specialised nutrition (she is on Gluten-free-Casein-free diet); occupational therapy; speech therapy; dental and general medical (malaria is rampant) bills. She has a nanny and a driver as well.
They take her for swimming lessons on Saturday at a different agency and elsewhere for music lessons. Recently, she needed some genetic and bio-medical testing’s and had to fly to the UK.
I do not have the exact number of qualified and practicing speech therapists in Nigeria currently but I do know they are a handful. Almost every child with autism and communication challenges will require intensive therapy including speech therapy. Many of our children here can’t access professional speech therapy even when they can afford the cost. This is because we don’t have a lot of these professionals. And more so, because universities in Nigeria do not offer Speech and Language Pathology programmes. There are some special education departments in a few universities that allow their students to specialise in Speech and Audiology but I don’t know that it is the same preparation for Speech and Language Pathology. In a full page interview early this year, I raised this and related issues to alert both the government and general public (Nwokolo, 2014 interview with National Daily, page 33, March 24 -28, 2014; and Daily SUN, page 21, April 2nd, 2014).





What services and/or facilities are available for the support of parents of children with ASD/learning difficulties?
Generally speaking, parents in Nigeria are on their own and those whose children have autism are even at the short end of the stick. Some get assistance from family relatives, especially grandparents and nannies who provide respite but majority have to be everything to themselves. There is no formal welfare assistance from government, not even psychological and mental health related services. As the Punch Newspaper editorial of Wednesday April 2nd 2014 (page 22) correctly puts it, “In Nigeria, the rights and well-being of the disabled, including children with developmental disabilities, are not on the government’s radar at all”. Pastors and religious leaders are perhaps the most significant support systems and they get a lot of patronage. Recently, however, friendship and support group of parents of children with autism are springing up. I do not know what specific supports they provide, but they do share their experiences as parents.




Are services available throughout Nigeria or only in specific locations?
Services are only available in specific locations such as Ikeja, Surulere and Lekki in Lagos; in two locations in Port Harcourt, one location in Asaba, and about 3 within Abuja. I do not know the maximum number each facility can take, but from their website, The Learning Place Centre indicated 30 children and young adults. The size of their space (a duplex with a free play area in front) is just a little smaller than that of Patricks (which is also a duplex with a BQ). Considering that they mostly offer one-one-one sessions, both facilities in their current locations, will be unable to carry a combined capacity of over 100 children. I am unable to speak authoritatively on the total number of children that each organisation has but this can be verified by contacting each of them directly.





Government and Public Involvement in Autism in Nigeria



Up until 2006, there was no known government official, to the best of my knowledge who publicly identified with autism. Enugu State government under Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani pulled the first curtain by sponsoring a 5-day enlightenment conference and teacher training on Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA).
The Enugu conference was inspired and motivated by the issues raised at the July 2005 Lagos Conference which I organised while working for Acceleration Therapy. After the 2005 autism enlightenment conference which held on July 1st and 2nd at the MUSON Centre, I sought Angela Leonard and Dr. Christina Sullivan of the Blue Ridge Autism Centre in Virginia and requested them to develop a 5-day workshop on Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) and Effective techniques of managing children with special needs. ABA is one of the most evidence-based treatment approaches for people with autism and we in Nigeria didn't know much about it at the time. That's certainly not a bad idea for my boss, Dr. Nwanze. However, I needed to show her where and how the fund will come from for such a huge project. As it turned out, Chief Mrs. Lizzy Idigbe, wife of Chief Tony Idigbe came to our rescue. Through their Punuka Foundation, the then Enugu State government and PATHS, a UK agency, sponsored what was to become the first Applied Behavioural Analysis training workshop in Nigeria. It held at Hotel Presidential Enugu State. Amongst the Nigerian facilitators were Prof. I.J. Iheanacho of Unijos and Dr. Mrs. irene Okeke-Igbokwe of Army Audiological Centre, Yaba. The event received good media coverage. Just about the same time, and following what I consider as the July inspiration conference of 2005, other individuals were motivated to join the autism awareness race. Dr. Helen informally adopted two schools: Heritage Montessory at Yaba and Cassa Dei Bambini in Lekki and was referring most of her inclusion trial cases there. From the attendance lists at the July conference, we noted people like Mrs. Ronke Khatagun, Dotun Akande, and many similarly inspired people who later set up services to benefit the autism community in Nigeria. It is worthy to mention that many of the parents that Acceleration Therapy served who were well to do also gave one form of support or the other. I recall that through the help of a parent who worked at Chevron at the time, Chevron assisted in sponsoring aspects of publicity of the event. By early 2007, there was a boom of autism ‘professionals’ and all sorts of organisations doing and claiming to do one thing or the other. That same year, I moved on to set up the psychological consultancy firm Autism Remediation Partnership which later became Autism Associates and later on, led others to set up a non-profit known as Centre for Autism and Developmental Disabilities (CADD). My goal was to help spread awareness and advocacy to other parts of the country. Autism Associates was supportive in the setting up of the Port Harcourt based OLG Foundation. The OLG foundation was founded by Engr. and Dr. Mrs. Izuwah. They have a lovely boy who is believed to be one of the best examples of recovery from autism in Nigeria today. I remember the anger on Mrs. Izuwah's face when I first told her, 'your son presents with autistic-like symptoms and most likely is on the spectrum; and today is the best time to commence intervention therapy.' She didn't quite believe me but thankfully she and husband permitted us to develop an intervention plan. My team of Sandra Ukiwo (a linguist) and psychologist Olusola Bello went into full work. The Izuwah’s later relocated to Port Harcourt and found there was no single service in that city: they conceived and gave birth to the OLG centre right in their home. I recall making a number of training visits to Port Harcourt and eventually releasing one Miss Chisom Obi to lead the therapy team. Dr. Izuwah up-skilled herself and attended several training programs abroad. She was to become the first person to speak up on biomedical intervention for autism in Nigeria.
The Izuwah's later founded the Defeat Autism in Nigeria. Today, they provide services in Abuja area. A few years ago, Mrs. Beauty Anwuri Kumesin, a former staff of Autism Associates, relocated to Port Harcourt and set up Blazing Hearts Autism Centre.

More than anyone else, Mrs. Ronke Khatagum's Zamarr Institute has worked extensively in growing autism awareness in Abuja and parts of the North. Through her enlightenment conferences and various training workshops she placed her footprints in the journey of autism awareness in Nigeria. Other providers in the Abuja axis at the time included Mrs. Stella Obasanjo's Stella Childcare Trust and the Centre for Special Needs led by Mr. Akinola Olabisi. Dr. Akindayomi's CDC also made entries to parts of the North. The Centre for Autism & Developmental Disabilities (CADD) worked mostly in Asaba and Lagos. Other well-known service providers in Lagos included Mrs. Akande's Patrick Centre; Mrs. Adewole's The Learning Place Centre as well as Mrs. Jola Osho's led SmartBase. Sometime in year 2007, Dr. Nwanze Okidegbe who then worked at the World Bank and who worked hard trying to unify the various groups under a national association began organising several meetings in that regard and became quite visible in the autism community. He used personal fund and contacts to sponsor these meetings at the Abuja World Bank office.
One of the corporate organizations to venture into Autism as a form of Corporate Social Responsibility was NLNG. In my opinion NLNG had a more articulated program and mission for autism in Nigeria. They did not set out to take advantage of a vulnerable community condition to just gain CSR mileage; they set out to address the issues. First and foremost, they sponsored meetings of professionals to assess the burden of need of the community. A very cerebral committee of experts were assembled under the chairmanship of Prof. Adenike Grange, former Minister of Health. Some other members of that committee were my humble self, Professor Alice R. Nte; Dr. Edward Alikor, Dr. Yinka Akindayomi, Dr. Helen Nwanze, Professor Princewill Chukwuemeka Stanley and many others. Several sub-committees were set up and mandated to produce reports. I encourage the Federal Government to seriously consider convoking that committee and request that the reports guide government’s policy and strategy efforts in regard to autism. The NLNG model is indeed worthy of emulation. They have gone ahead to implement an inclusive policy in their Bonny Island School. Some other corporate efforts have been made to promote autism awareness in Nigeria in recent times and the result in terms of public awareness has been phenomenal.

Other people in government who used their offices to promote autism awareness in Nigeria include former information minister and former Director of NAFDAC, late Prof. Dora Akunyili. She was the topmost person in government to attend the first observance of United Nations Day for Autism in Nigeria. It was on April 2008, at a ceremony organized by Engr. Chidi Izuwah's led Defeat Autism in Nigeria event at Nicon Hotel Abuja. Following that was Hon. Abide Dabiri Erewa, who represented Rt. Hon. Dimeji Bankole, Speaker of the federal House of Representatives, at Autism Associate's Lagos Autism Summit in 2008. It was at this event that the book, "Insight to Special Needs in Autism" was launched.
Another person in government worthy of mention is the Senate President David Mark, for boldly responding to the open letter published in the Guardian Newspaper. Senator David Mark wrote a very encouraging letter in which he commended Autism Associates and admitted that autism is a serious condition needing government action. He also pledged the Senates willingness to legislate in favor of the autism community. In fact, he wrote two letters, one in 2010 and another in 2011. Honourable Jerry Alagbaoso made history as the first African Legislator to propose a bill for autism and developmental disabilities. Recently and precisely on April 2nd, 2012, we received the big surprise. Three serving Ministers, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, then Minister of Health alongside his counterparts in Education and Women Affairs, came together and publicly ratified UN' Day for autism and declared April 2nd as United Nations Day for Autism in Nigeria. They jointly and separately made many promises to the autism community in Nigeria. Another quiet, humble and impressive gentleman man present at that event was Dr. Nwanze Okidegbe, the Chief Economic Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan. More than anyone I can think of, Dr. Okidegbe has worked tirelessly and mostly behind the scenes to give autism the voice it has today.





The Challenges Ahead



Action is supposed to follow awareness just as early intervention should follow diagnosis. Although a level of public and professional awareness about autism spectrum disorders now exist in some major cities in Nigeria, especially Lagos, many undiagnosed and untreated cases of autism are present. Apart from the fact that a few more service providers have emerged; more regular schools now offer specialized services and admit kids with autism; the only other visible change in Nigeria's autism community is that more and more cases of autism are being reported on daily basis.
Worried by the lack of provisions for persons with autism and government’s inaction; and disturbed by the extent of discrimination and social stigma against Nigerians with ‘unseen’ disability particularly autism, I wrote and published a full page open letter to President Goodluck Jonathan and the National Assembly. The letter was published on page 67 of THISDAY, on October 17, 2011. Four years earlier, in 2007, I forwarded a copy of my article titled “The Taboo of Autism” to the Presidency. In that article which was published by an Irish newspaper, I highlighted the following:
1. That unlike South Africa with a total population less than 52million people , yet with 6 autism specific schools sponsored by government, Nigeria with over 160Million ( Now about 178.5 million according to WPR) citizens does not even have one autism specific school sponsored by government anywhere whether North, South, West or East. This is still true in 2014.

2. I wrote that there is no University or institution of Higher Learning that trains people to become speech and Language Pathologists and Therapists anywhere in Nigeria. I am not referring to Departments of Special Education offering majors in Speech and Audiology, thank God for them. But other countries have those, yet they find a need for distinct speech and language departments. This is still true in 2014.

3. I wrote that Parents in Nigeria have to travel abroad for basic screening, assessment, diagnosis, as well as related services. This is still true in 2014 though local options are becoming more available.

4. I wrote that autistic children were being hidden in homes and that a range of exorcism oriented acts and unimaginable kinds of abuses were being meted out to them such as starvation, razor-blade cuts, flogging and so on. And that public education should be geared towards ending discrimination, stigmatization by cultures and traditions that misinterpret autism as demonization and bewitchment. This is still true in 2014. A few weeks ago, a parent called me to report that they have been told to stop coming to church because her son is ‘unruly and lacked home training”. This is a church in Victoria Island of Lagos, not Akeme-Okoli village in faraway Arondizuogu, Imo State.

5. I wrote that Nigeria does not have any clue as to the number of people living with autism spectrum disorders. And that the cost of supporting kids with autism is solely the responsibility of parents, and they get no tax relief or any kind of welfare assistance even if as the case is now, one parent has to give up paid employment to be able to cater for their child with autism. Parents have to navigate their way through getting diagnosis and intervention and this is not cheap in money. Families are selling properties to afford services and more and more marriages are breaking up. This is still true in 2014.



What is the situation today?



Autism awareness has increased but little action has taken place to increase access to adequate intervention services. We need to progress from awareness to action. As one paediatrician puts it, ‘my worst practice nightmare is having to announce a diagnosis of autism to parents knowing they will ask where can we get adequate help and am going to say, hmmm, sorry I don’t know about adequate, but try this and that place”. There are too many unfulfilled promises and claims even from government. For instance, the Federal Ministry of Education announced in 2013 that it has set up a national education and assessment centre for autism in Abuja and that it will commence work in January 2014. ( http://www.nigeria.gov.ng/2012-10-29-11-09-25/news/674-autism-challenges-education-ministry-establishes-national-education-diagnostic-and-assessment-centre-in-abuja ). I have not seen or heard of the location neither do I know of any child diagnosed who has been there.




There is hope


The improvement I celebrate today is that the federal government has admitted that autism is in Nigeria and indeed an issue needing urgent attention. They proved this in 2012, a year after I published the open letter, by ratifying April 2nd as Autism Awareness Day in Nigeria. Similarly, the House of Representatives introduced a bill for autism and developmental disabilities which has gone beyond committee stages. We in the autism community hoped the bill was to be passed before the end of year 2014 (Nigeria’s centennial year) making it a centennial gift to the community. The bill amongst other things is seeking to establish a budget and a national centre for effective diagnosis and management of autism (and related developmental disorders) as well as training for personnel who manage persons with autism in public and private settings in Nigeria.


Although, the House is unlikely to pass this bill before February 2015 elections, I feel positive that when passed into law, it will turn around the fate of children and families battling autism in Nigeria. Then there will be real hope and help for children, adults and families battling autism in Nigeria.




References





Nwokolo O.M. (2008) An Insight to Special Needs in Autism. Lagos: Philglad

Volkmar F. R & Wiesner , L. A . (2004). Healthcare for Children on the Autism Spectrum. A guide to Medical, Nutritional and Behavioral Issues. Bethesda: Woodbine House



Nwokolo O.M Autistic Children Need Treatment Not Imprisonment. Page 38, The Guardian Newspaper, Saturday May 3, 2008


Nwokolo , O.M, Open Missive to President Goodluck Jonathan and the National Assembly. Page 67, THISDAY, October 17, 2011.


Nwokolo O.M Early Intervention, hope for treating autism. Page 33, National Daily, March 24 – 28, 2014


Nwokolo O.M The Challenge of autism awareness. Page 21, DAILYSUN April 2, 2014.


Punch Newspaper Editorial “Assisting Children with Autism” Page 22, Wednesday April 2, 2014.


WPR 2014: http://worldpopulationreview.com/countries/nigeria-population/

Nwokolo O.M. The Taboo of Autism, Metro Eirean Ireland June 28, 2007
http://metroeireann.com/article/the-taboo-of-autism,286


Nwokolo O.M. A Psychologists perspective on the Taboo of Autism in Nigeria
http://www.autismaroundtheglobe.org/countries/nigeria.asp


Ministry of Education’s Diagnostic and assessment centre:
http://www.nigeria.gov.ng/2012-10-29-11-09-25/news/674-autism-challenges-education- ministry-establishes-national-education-diagnostic-and-assessment-centre-in-abuja



Date: January 15, 2015



About the writer:




Mazi Okey-Martins Nwokolo studied Psychology at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka where he graduated with a second class upper degree. He proceeded to the University of Lagos and obtained Masters in Psychology. He worked as a teaching assistant while studying for his MSc and later became a Graduate Fellow when he returned for Mphil/PhD. In 2002 he got a job as a trainee therapist for children with autism and developmental disabilities and has since been working directly with this population. Fondly called ‘Mr Autism’ by the press, Mazi Okey-Martins is well known for organising autism awareness and advocacy events. He is the initiator of the annual LagosWalk4Autism; DeltaWalk4Autism and now NigeriaWalk4Autism projects. He founded the Centre for Autism and Developmental Disabilities (CADD) and Autism Associates. He has written several newspaper articles and publications. In his 2011 open letter to President Goodluck Jonathan and the National Assembly, Mazi Okey-Martins raised a number of issues regarding the ugly experiences of individuals living with autism spectrum disorders and the need for urgent action in Nigeria.

Greed Therapy is way out for Nigeria's Corruption Challenges

Greed Therapy is way out for Nigeria's Corruption Challenges


Corruption is both an attitude and a behavior. In fact, corruption stems from greed and lust. Many Nigerians believe that the country's biggest problem is corruption and and that deterrence and punitive measures are the only effective ways to deal with this giant.

Unfortunately, despite the many legalistic and punitive measures in place, over the years; the outcome has been even more corruption. Corruption is yet to be seen from a behavioural/mental health perspective and psychological treatment approaches have not been applied or implemented in a strategic and elaborate manner. To fully deal with corruption, also pay attention to the factors of addictions to greed and avarice.

Psychologists have a training that prepares them to help people overcome lusts, greed and addictions or at least understand that's what they are up against. At personal levels, many Nigerians have perceived corruption as a helpless and acceptable behavior. This is a kind of learned helplessness. Many justify this position by their belief that ' one way or the other, everyone is involved" and that those punishing others for corrupt practices are indeed 'opportunists who may even be more corrupt and therefore, lack the moral justification to play that role. The punished sort of see themselves as victims. Justifying corruption on the basis of such premise is faulty and wrong.

I believe that there are more honest Nigerians disposed against corruption than there are corrupt people. However, owing to a lack of understanding of corruption as greed and owing to the overwhelming pressure to conform to corrupt practices; the good guys get trapped in the bad game.

Corruption is at an all time high levels in Nigeria today. Part of he reason is because today's values and culture promote lusts of all kinds. Greed and in particular, greed for money, has risen to pathological and clinical level. Many of us in this country need what I call 'greed therapy'. Let's get our Psychologists to work! Just like people in other countries, psychological support systems for children and adults are crucial for moderating the behavior of citizens.

Ignoring this support and welfare systems and expecting best behaviors might remain a mirage.


The holy scriptures confirms that corruption comes from lust: "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." 2 Peter 1:4 King James Version.


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Making professional Psychology make sense to Nigeria

Things haven't really changed for the better for Nigerians in many ways. One fundamental truth is nature and natural disasters are not Nigeria's major challenge. Nigeria suffers from behavior disasters and for decades have failed to recognize this fact.

Unfortunately, those who should know and help are not even awake to their obligations and responsibilities. No one should know the methods of understanding and changing human behaviours better than Psychologists. Psychologists and their students in Nigeria are denying their nation the benefits and promises that the science and profession of their great discipline holds. Its a sorry news, that with the prevalence of mental health issues in Nigeria including problems of violence, addiction, depression, autism and childhood disabilities, improper job placements, evaluations, assessments and recruitment; with many anger management cases in both federal and state legislatures; with many dysfunctional families and confused parents with ineffective parenting skills; many abusive and aggressive adults; kid and adult bullies; and with suicide rates going up everyday; including more recruits into terrorist groups to mention but a few; how on earth can Psychologists not have jobs and play a crucial role?

Of what use is A Psychology degree if one won't help apply one's wisdom and knowledge of the discipline to solving individual and societal problems?
It is high time we challenged the curriculum that prepares young people to spend 4 years in and out of university without practical skills to benefit society. It is time to promote professional psychology. Research is good, but without application, we will only continue to produce graduates who end up in non-related jobs.

This forum seeks to unite like minded psychologists and students towards making professional psychology make sense to Nigeria. There will also be mentorship and training openings to prepare younger practitioners. Do share your thoughts on this and invite your colleagues and classmates.

Do you know any Nigerian who studied or is currently studying psychology?

We are seeking to bring together all young people (age and at-heart) who majored in Psychology. This includes those currently studying Psychology. The aim is to inspire and make the discipline more relevant and accessible to the Nigerian community.

We are especially interested in those wishing to strenghten the practice and teaching of the profession.

Please submit your posts or email: okmartins@gmail.com