Wednesday, April 2, 2025, marked World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD), dedicated to promoting understanding, acceptance, and inclusion of individuals in tackling the developmental condition.
Also referred to as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the condition is defined as a broad range of complex neurodevelopmental situation characterised by challenges with social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviours.
It is in this context that the United Nations General Assembly unanimously set aside the day, to highlight the need to help improve the quality of life of those with autism so they can lead full and meaningful lives as an integral part of society.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that approximately 75 million people, one per cent of the world’s population, have ASD with one in 100 children suffering the condition, worldwide.
Although national data on ASD is not readily available in Ghana, a recent World Bank report points out that autism affects 38.7 per cent of children under 14 in the country with a total of 129,641 individuals on the spectrum by the end of 2023.
While persons affected with ASD possess unique strengths and abilities that make them valuable in various fields, many continue to face stigmatisation, discrimination, and limited access to essential services, hindering their progress in life.
Sadly, in many Ghanaian homes and communities, traditional and religious beliefs often attribute neurodevelopmental disorders to spiritual or supernatural causes, leading to social isolation and deterring families from seeking early diagnosis and intervention, which are crucial for improving outcomes for persons with autism.
It is for this reason that The Ghanaian Times considers this year’s theme for WAAD- “Advancing Neurodiversity and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”, as an apt and timely focus on the importance of recognising the valuable contributions of autistic individuals in achieving global developmental goals.
While significant progress are being made in recent times in the area of public awareness and advocacy about ASD in the country, challenges, including lack of trained healthcare professionals and specialists in autism diagnosis and treatment, limited availability of inclusive education and employment opportunities for autistic individuals as well as access to healthcare continue to persist.
The newspaper, therefore, join calls on the government to urgently take decisive steps to promote inclusivity across all sectors including increasing investment into autism research and providing ASD patients with opportunities for education, employment, and socialisation, to ensure that every autistic individual is able to realise his or her full life potential.
With the likes of popular global icons, including Albert Einstein, Anthony Hopkins, and Bill Gates, believed to have ASD, yet achieved great success in various fields, it is high time Ghanaians recognised that persons living with ASD are capable and deserve acceptance, and hence promote a society that identifies their value, worth, and contributions.
While we observe WAAD, let us commit to making Ghana an inclusive society where every individual, regardless of neurodiversity, gets the opportunity to thrive and contribute to national and global sustainability efforts.