A lawmaker, Gbolahan Yishawu, has called for an enabling environment for people with neurodevelopmental disorders to thrive.

Mr Yishawu, who represents Eti-Osa 2 Constituency in the Lagos State House of Assembly, made the call on Saturday at the end of an outreach in Lagos.

The programme was organised for children with neurodevelopmental disorders by the Gbolahan Yishawu Foundation, in collaboration with non-governmental organisations – Cradle Lounge Special Needs Initiative, Pure Souls Learning Foundation and Patrick Speech and Language Centre.

The lawmaker expressed concerns over the growing cases of neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism.

“It used to be that one in every hundred children had autism; now, it is one in 36, according to the U.S. Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Therefore, there is the need for awareness and societal inclusion of neurodivergent individuals. With proper therapy, they can thrive and achieve their full potential in life.

“We must create awareness, provide platforms for parents to seek support, and ensure the children are not left behind,” he said.

Also, some experts at the event said that individuals with such disorders could do well if caregivers would work with them, accept, love and care for them with patience.

One of them, Dotun Akande, said that awareness about the disorders was key to helping individuals with the conditions to thrive.

Ms Akande is the director, Pure Souls Learning Foundation and Patrick Speech and Language Centre.

She said that while neurodivergent individuals might learn differently, their contributions to society were needed.

“We are in support of individuals that are struggling with neurodivergence, and we try as much as possible to make sure that we find ways in which they learn and find out what the challenges are.

“We find how we can make those challenges turn into strength and then make them relevant in society.

“If we start to talk about neurodiversity early enough in their lives, with early intervention, a lot of these children will do well.

“The fact that we are calling it neuro does not mean it is the end of the world; it just means that they learn differently,” Mr Akande said.

Also, a speech and language pathologist, Dr Grace Ojeamiren-Bamigboye, said that developmental disabilities varied and were managed differently.

Ms Ojeamiren-Bamigboye said that parents and caregivers must accept children with these conditions to be able to manage them well.

“They must accept the fact that there is a need here instead of saying, ‘it is not my portion; it is a spiritual attack; do not worry, we will go to one imam or pastor’.

“It is good to pray, but work out your own prayer by being deliberate; deliberate means that there are some things you need to change; you need to see different specialists.

“Get information on whatever the specialists ask you to do, and do it because consistency matters,“ she said.

A dietician, Solape Akinlonu, who lauded the programme, said it was a right step in the right direction to supporting such individuals.

She said: “Neurodevelopmental disorders are a challenge in society, and this kind of programme gives us a view of the degree of the cases that are in the community; it is actually under-recorded.

“It is a good step in the right direction.

“It is a way to give the caregiver support because you realise that you are not the only one going through this, and you have a support system that is ready to give you as much as possible.

“It is also reassuring and helps them to keep going through the process to help the children in question to do better.”

In her remarks, the founder, Cradle Lounge Special Needs Initiative, Solape Azazi, said that the outreach’s goal was to ensure that children with neurodevelopmental disorders were recognised and given a sense of belonging.

“Programmes such as this help families from low-income backgrounds to understand that they are not alone, and we want them to access the support they need,” Mrs Azazi said.

A parent, Falalade Femi, lauded the programme.

Mr Femi said: “It has been amazing and life-changing.

“Fortunately, I got to know about the programme through a friend’s social media status; I reached out to her and she gave me more information about the programme.

“I have learnt a lot from the experts, and I know that if I am able to implement all I have been taught, I am sure I will be able to testify when I have the opportunity to bring my child to the next programme.”

(NAN)