Parents in Nigeria and Africa have been advised to ensure early intervention for their children with special needs to enhance independence in adulthood.

Lead Facilitator, Gilead Therapy Centre, Bisola Olufolajimi-Idowu, gave this advice in an interview on Monday in Lagos.

Ms Olufolajimi-Idowu said that the appeal was necessitated because many African and Nigerian parents particularly neglect such children at this critical stage.

“Many African parents, especially Nigerians, deny their children of appropriate support, however ‘spiritualise’ the condition to the detriment of the child’s wellbeing.

“There’s no denying the efficacy of prayers but professional support should not be ignored in a child’s life.

“Specific services are provided on a case-by-case basis; some children need physical therapy, others need speech therapy, and others still need disability-specific supports and programmes.

“It’s sad to see some children in poor states because by the time the parents bring them to initiate professional support many of them are grown and little could be done to assist them,” she said.

Early intervention is a system of services that helps babies and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities.

Ms Olufolajimi-Idowu said early intervention impacts the entire family, society, and ensures independence which can save the children from being reliant on society later in life.

The special education expert also appealed to the federal and state governments to create an enabling environment that allows special pupils to thrive academically.

Ms Olufolajimi-Idowu noted that inclusive education would only thrive with appropriate educational resources, personnel and facilities.

According to her, accessibility remains a major challenge as most schools are inaccessible for special needs pupils, thereby hindering them from learning.

“Some schools that the pupils write their exit exams have no ramps, also no provisions are made for pseudo writers for pupils that need them,” she said

She added that an enabling environment would impact on pupil’s development and wellbeing, and aid them to achieve their full potential.

(NAN)