03-18-2006, 01:37 PM
HERE is need to sensitise the Barbadian public about autism, so as to alleviate the stigma associated with the disorder.
According to president of the Autism Association of Barbados, Delphia Walcott, this lack of education about the disorder has to be addressed as soon as possible.
As a result of the stigma associated with autism, Walcott said, there are some parents who are wary about joining the association and also telling persons that their children have the disorder for fear of the child being ridiculed.
They are cautious because of the disability, so that is one thing, another reason why some parents do not come out is because they do not have anyone to look after their children, she said.
However, the president said that while no new members have joined the association, complementing the association is a vibrant parents support group which is very active in representing the interest and concerns of the association, helping to source funds and continue to build the organisation.
We now have two main arms, which are not working against each other but are complementing each other for the greater good of children with autism, she maintained.
It is definitely a stigma thing and the information needs to get out to remove that stigma, to educate the public. The stigma attached to this is one of mental sickness, until people recognise that this things will not change. Because of the spectrum there can be a little mental thing there, because it is a neurological disorder, so if there is a disconnection you can have, schizophrenia, retardation, dyslexia, a gamut of things, she explained. In addition, Walcott said that members of the organisation are concerned about the care of their children in the event of their death. The fear, she said is that the children will not be adequately looked after - financially or otherwise.
Meanwhile, she said that as a result of the pressure the parents go through the association sees the need to give the parents a break every once in a while. The suggestion, she explained, is to look after the child at a special facility while allowing the parents to de-stress. If they are not feeling well and they need to stay away from work and they cant take care of the child because they are ill, we could have the child for a day that is what we see for the future.
From barbadosadvocate.com
According to president of the Autism Association of Barbados, Delphia Walcott, this lack of education about the disorder has to be addressed as soon as possible.
As a result of the stigma associated with autism, Walcott said, there are some parents who are wary about joining the association and also telling persons that their children have the disorder for fear of the child being ridiculed.
They are cautious because of the disability, so that is one thing, another reason why some parents do not come out is because they do not have anyone to look after their children, she said.
However, the president said that while no new members have joined the association, complementing the association is a vibrant parents support group which is very active in representing the interest and concerns of the association, helping to source funds and continue to build the organisation.
We now have two main arms, which are not working against each other but are complementing each other for the greater good of children with autism, she maintained.
It is definitely a stigma thing and the information needs to get out to remove that stigma, to educate the public. The stigma attached to this is one of mental sickness, until people recognise that this things will not change. Because of the spectrum there can be a little mental thing there, because it is a neurological disorder, so if there is a disconnection you can have, schizophrenia, retardation, dyslexia, a gamut of things, she explained. In addition, Walcott said that members of the organisation are concerned about the care of their children in the event of their death. The fear, she said is that the children will not be adequately looked after - financially or otherwise.
Meanwhile, she said that as a result of the pressure the parents go through the association sees the need to give the parents a break every once in a while. The suggestion, she explained, is to look after the child at a special facility while allowing the parents to de-stress. If they are not feeling well and they need to stay away from work and they cant take care of the child because they are ill, we could have the child for a day that is what we see for the future.
From barbadosadvocate.com