GTCO Autism Conference exposes new strategies on how to handle my children – Abdullahi

AbuduHamad Abdullahi from Abeokuta is a parent with two children, one with autism spectrum disorder and the other with neurological defect. He attended the 15th edition of the GTCO Autism Conference in Lagos and spoke in an interview with some selected newsmen including the Editor Gentechnews, Tony Nwakaegho.

 

 

Briefly let us know why you are at this 15th edition of the GTCO Autism Conference in Lagos?

My name is AbuduHamad Abdullahi from Abeokuta. I came from Abeokuta to the conference because of my children, one with autism spectrum disorder and the other with a neurological defect.

How did you find out about their health statues?

I knew from their behavioural pattern, expectations and behaviour when it doesn’t go in line like normal human, indecisions and making one to say what is wrong with this child. Is this child normal? By the time you are observing the child you will know that the child is neuro deviance. It may be the child is autistic and it is a spectrum. Like my son he is care free and that is one of the most important things you can identify. They can play along with their own type. They can learn and do things wonderfully well.

How old are your children?

My son is three years plus while my daughter is one year and two months. She is severe as we don’t know what it is. We have done a brain scan that she has a missing corpus callosum, underdevelopment, she can’t move and can’t do anything by herself. Hers is complex as it is more than autism. It is a strong neurological defect.

Have you been able to get any intervention?

Intervention is possible when there is a means. When there is no known cure, when there is no known support there is nothing that we can really do.

Do you attend any of their clinics?

Yes. She has been on drugs. We have been using the neuropsychiatrist hospital in Abeokuta and the Federal Medical Centre in Abeokuta. corpus callosum is missing, it is the part that connects to the brain and when that part is not there the brain is incomplete.

What can you say about the GTCO programme?

It has been a total live support for us. When you come around and you see people of your type, then you know that you are not alone. It is our world, a place where you can be heard and learn new strategies. It serves as a consolement for us to bring her here.

How long have you been to this GTCO Autism Conference?

This is my second time attending this conference. I was here last year when my second daughter was just two months old. I did not come with her, but we learnt a lot and I got exposures, lot of information, connected with some of the facilitators and we kept on discussing when we having challenges and they keep on giving me support and encouragement that I am not the only one that it take time, but that with the talent in the child she can become a new advertisement.