Accra: Mulan Neurodiversity School in collaboration with the National Assessment and Resource Centre has organised an autism screening and awareness event, urging for enhanced inclusion, early intervention, and government support for children with developmental and learning challenges.
According to Ghana News Agency, the initiative was part of Autism Awareness Month, focusing on screening children and providing professional assessments to support early diagnosis and intervention. The event was themed 'Embracing Differences, Empowering Every Ability.'
Autism Spectrum Disorder is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition that affects communication, behaviour, and social interaction. It manifests differently across a spectrum, with some individuals requiring significant support while others live independently.
Mrs. Thara Brigitte Mills Simmonds, CEO of Mulan Neurodiversity School and an autism advocate, stated that the initiative aimed to reduce stigma, improve access to care, and ensure that every child, regardless of ability, has the opportunity to learn and thrive. She emphasized that having a child with autism or any special need should not be viewed as a limitation but as a call to find the right support system.
The exercise included a team of specialists, such as speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, behavioural technicians, and special educators, who conducted early assessments and developed Individualised Educational Plans (IEPs) for affected children. Mrs. Simmonds highlighted the importance of parental counselling, underscoring the critical role parents play in the development of children with special needs.
As part of the intervention, the school donated sensory and learning materials, including toys and wheelchairs, to the National Assessment and Resource Centre to support ongoing therapy, particularly for children with mobility challenges. She encouraged schools to adopt inclusive education practices instead of excluding children with special needs.
Mrs. Simmonds urged policymakers to prioritize disability issues in national planning and ensure effective policy implementation. Hajia Ramatu Alhassan, Head of the National Assessment and Resource Centre, expressed appreciation for the support, noting the wheelchairs' significant impact on children with mobility challenges.
Hajia Ramatu highlighted the diverse conditions addressed at the Centre, including autism, cerebral palsy, hearing and visual impairments, speech delays, and learning disabilities such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia. Despite offering screening, diagnosis, counselling, and school placement services, the Centre faces challenges like limited resources and a shortage of specialised professionals, leading to many cases being referred to external facilities. She appealed for support from the government, corporate bodies, individuals, and philanthropists to enhance the Centre's operations.
Madam Debora Dzakpasu, a parent of a child with autism, called on the government to support parents and guardians, enabling them to effectively care for children with special needs, noting that some parents struggle to work due to the level of care required.