The Wife of Delta Governor, and Founder of ‘You Matter Charlie Foundation, Mrs Tobore Oborevwori has promised to establish at least three special care autistic centres for children across the three senatorial districts of the State.
She said this while celebrating the 2024 World Autism Day with children with special needs on Tuesday at the General hospital, Ekpan in Uvwie Local Government Area of the State.
Mrs Oborevwori said establishing the centred across the three senatorial districts of the State would help to address challenges faced by persons with autism in Delta.
She said that the United Nations recognized every April 2, as a day to acknowledge and advocate for the rights of autistic persons around the world.
”This year, You Matter Charity Foundation is at the forefront to address the challenges faced by persons with autism and assist other vulnerable individuals and their families.
“Today, we fulfill our foundation’s primary mission to give hope to autistic individuals, especially children and create a conducive environment for them to integrate fully into society and thrive alongside their peers,” she said.
Mrs Oborevwori emphasized that autism doesn’t stand for a death sentence or a spiritual attack, but rather a health challenge that could be managed with special care by physicians and the show of unconditional love from parents and caregivers.
”The awareness of autism may be low in this part of the world, but the You Matter Charity Foundation is committed to educating our people about autistic symptoms and the necessary steps to take in managing it.
“In addition to raising awareness, we plan to establish centres across the state to provide specialised care for children with autism, down syndrome and those with related challenges by ensuring that they have access to quality healthcare without barriers
“We are also collaborating with the State Ministry of Primary and Basic Education to establish more special schools tailored towards the educational needs of these children.
“With the support of donor agencies, partners, and volunteers, we will empower caregivers with the necessary resources to enhance the lives of these wonderful children,”she said.
Earlier in her address, the Director General, ”You Matter Charity Foundation” Mrs Lawrentta Ogbedo, affirmed that the programme would also go a long way towards helping to enlighten school teachers on how best to assist the learning process of children with autism.
Also, during her health talk, Dr. Theresa Ogholaga said most autistic symptoms were developed at pre-birth.
She therefore advised pregnant women to be judicious with their ante-natal care and take only prescribed ante-natal drugs.
Ogholaga listed the signs of autism to include impaired social interaction which may involve the child’s inability to express emotions of excitement or sadness.
She also said that sometimes, repetitive actions by a child as well as over reaction or non reaction at all to loud noise could be early symptoms of autism.
“Autism does not have a cure yet but early detection and intervention such as the multi disciplinary approach to treatment will go a long way,”, she said.
In her remarks , the Health Personnel Manager (HPM) and Acting Chairman, Uvwie Local Government Council, Mrs Juliana Manager, applauded the drive of the gôvernor’s wife towards impacting the people of the State.
“This campaign would break all barriers that had aforetime, limited children living with autism and other mental impairment conditions, “she said.
