The Children with Disability Support Organization (CWDSO) on Friday held an Autism Awareness Day event at the CWDSO offices in Mbale, Vihiga County, to raise public awareness about children living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
The event, themed “Advancing Neurodiversity,” brought together parents, caregivers, educators, and disability advocates to show solidarity and support.
Autism is a complex condition that impacts millions of individuals across the globe. It’s not just a medical diagnosis but a part of the rich tapestry of human diversity.
To better understand and represent this diversity, Chief Executive Officer for Children CWDSO Judith Olimba illustrated the symbolic meaning of colors in autism awareness, emphasizing that different colors represented various aspects of the autism spectrum and its diverse community.
“Blue represents the need for calm, red stands for energy, as some autistic children are hyperactive, and yellow symbolizes positivity and hope for children with autism and their families,” she explained.
“These symbols serve as visual reminders, promoting awareness and fostering a sense of community,” she added.
On her part, the chairperson of CWDSO, Naomi Mandela, emphasized the importance of such an event saying it creates public awareness to eliminate stigma and builds an informed, supportive society.
“There is still a lot of stigma and misinformation. We must keep creating awareness so that the community can support children with autism and their families,” Mandela said.
A special needs teacher and founder of Jonathan Ray of Hope, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Neurodiversity centre for children with autism, Ms. Caroline Kisuge encouraged parents to expose their children to learning and play activities that promote growth and interaction.
“Parents should not limit their children when it comes to socializing. Let them go to school, take nature walks, play on swings and slides—these activities stimulate growth,” said Kisuge.
She also recommended simple home-based therapies such as blowing balloons to help strengthen mouth muscles and improve speech.
Timon Nabwero, a guardian to a child living with autism, advised parents to be able to recognize the early signs of autism in their children.
He said early diagnosis allowed for early intervention, which could have a significant positive impact on a child’s development and long-term outcomes.
“Early identification and intervention can lead to improvements in social skills, communication, and overall functioning,” Nabwero said.
Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects communication, behaviour, and social interaction.
By Walter Tiema and Joyclair Avilia
