No to the stigmatisation of autistic children

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Extract from the article: World Autism Awareness Day is celebrated every year on 2 April. To mark the occasion in Togo, the Association Togolaise pour l'Education et l'Insertion des Personnes avec Déficience Intellectuelle (ATEIPDI), in collaboration with the "Lumière" centre

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World Autism Awareness Day is celebrated every year on 2 April. To mark the occasion in Togo, the Association Togolaise pour l'Education et l'Insertion des Personnes avec Déficience Intellectuelle (ATEIPDI), in collaboration with the "Lumière" centre, organised an awareness-raising session on Tuesday 2 April 2024 for pupils at the Ecole Primaire Publique (EPP) Sanguera-Kleme on the theme of « Understanding autism for better social inclusion ». The aim of this activity is to raise awareness of autism among pupils, provide them with information on the signs of this disorder and encourage them to accept and integrate autistic children into their community.

Some schools register autistic children. This often provokes questions and reactions from other children, and even their parents. Concerned by this situation, ATEIPDI has informed and raised awareness among pupils at EPP Sanguera Klémé about autism so that they can be better cared for.  For Dr Koffi Yaboué, President of ATEIPDI, it is important to raise awareness of autism and combat social isolation among children.

« We believe that it is in schools, especially nursery schools, that these children can be detected early so that they can be cared for at an early stage.. When this disorder is detected early at this age, there is a greater chance that the support will be successful. The important message is the acceptance of difference and how to avoid stigmatising these autistic children. Because many children are not supported because of stigmatisation. It's commonplace, but it has serious consequences for families », he stressed.

Social inclusion offers autistic children opportunities for positive interaction with others, which promotes their emotional and mental well-being. By encouraging active participation in a range of social activities, they are given the opportunity to learn and develop their social skills. 

« From the moment you start stigmatising a child, families no longer go out with that child.Instead, they look to others. These are children who need to get moving.Our message is to say no to stigmatisation and yes to accepting difference.We believe that this starts at an early age.If children learn, understand and integrate the fact that they must accept other autistic children, even if they are different from them, we believe that this will significantly reduce their isolation and improve their quality of life », stressed the President of ATEIPDI.

People with autism perceive the world in a very particular way.It is crucial to recognise that people with autism have unique talents and abilities that can be developed with appropriate support and encouragement.

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that can appear between the ages of 1 and 2 and affects different areas of a child's development, such as language, sociability, motor and sensory development.The causes are environmental and genetic. The disorder is lifelong, and there is currently no specific medication for autism, but appropriate care can help children live better with autism. For these children to flourish, they need to be referred to appropriate structures.

William O.