We want the Ministry of health to imform the public about the seriousness of Autism.

[Tikerra]

I don't remember the date and the Minister who talked about Autism in the National Assembly,but that was it,I did not here about it again,wonderful,isn't it.Wonderful because it is a problem which surely affects millions of our young kids in Tanzania.But what exactly is Autism.It is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first one and a half to three years of life and is the result of a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain, impairing development in the areas of social interaction and communication skills.Both children and adults with autism typically show difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication,social interactions,and leisure or play activities.Based on statistics in the USA,Autism is growing at a startling rate of 10-17% per year.At this rate it is estimated that in the next decade, Autism can reach 4 million Americans.Considering some of the following traits which are now extremely common with our children,its hard not to believe that Autism is with us and indeed very serious:

*Insistence on sameness,copying
*showing distress for reasons not apparent to others
*unresponsive to normal teaching methods
*sustained odd play
*obsessive attachment to objects
*apparent under sensitivity to pain
*no real fears of danger
*noticeable physical over activity
Apparently these are also some of the traits already reported to be associated with Autistic children.Realizing the dangers Americans face,parents in America have formed 'The Autism society of America.'Reportedly they are forcing the American Government to declare the ingredients used in the various vaccinations used in the USA.Evidence already available show that the vaccinations indeed have ingredients which cause neurological disorders similar to those of Autism.The American government has not responded.We are surely faced by the same problem in Tanzania,and therefore strongly recommend that the government should carry out a study to ascertain the extent and nature of the problem.

 

[Nkamangi]

tikkera, autism and mental illnesses in general are under-prioritised in almost all developing countries. Is it the burden of infectious disease?stigma? are most parents even aware of it au tunasema mtoto wangu hana akili and let them drop out of school?

 

[Lunanilo]

Thank you very much for bringing this topic. We need to develop strateggies to deal with this disorder and other mental diseases. I wish the ministry of education could provide incentives to teachers of special education in order to encourage more people to take this specialization ( Oh let me dream). Autistic kids need a variety of therapies including behavior and speech. A lot of mentally ill people that we see in our market places have very mild form of the diseases, they just lack appropriate intervention coupled with being treated with dignity. We can do better as a nation.