The UN Resident Coordinator Celebrates World Autism Awareness Day

On Thursday, 5th November 2020, on behalf of the UN Resident Coordinator, Ms Fanele Chester-Fakudze, joined the celebrations of World Autism Awareness Day with the Hon. Deputy Prime Minister, HRH Regional Administrator of Manzini, Hon. Ministers, members of the private sector and parents and siblings of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).

The event, hosted at Esibayeni Lodge, Manzini, served as both a celebration of World Autism Awareness Day and launch of the Autism Eswatini website, centred on the theme: Promoting Access to Basic Health, Therapeutic and Special Services to Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Siblings and parents of children living with ASD shared their powerful and inspirational testimonies of how deeply ASD impacted their families: from a ten-year-old boy losing his only parent to a stress-induced heart attack and in turn, having to look after his older siblings living with ASD, to siblings finding it difficult to learn and live the life of a normal child, as well as deal with the immense stigma and discrimination faced on a daily basis due to lack of awareness about Autism. A father shared how his teenage son, who lives with severe Autism, cannot be left alone in the house at any stage, due to his violent tendencies to throw furniture through windows; something which has led his family to live isolated lives away from their community.

The event continued with a demonstration of Autism Eswatini’s website, and addresses by members of the private sector who urged businesses to help Autism Eswatini through financial assistance, to empower the many children and families bearing the consequences of un-supported ASD.

 A medical professional gave an informative presentation on the complexities of Autism Spectrum Disorder: a lifelong developmental disorder, affecting social, communicative, and behavioral skills of persons. Globally, 1 in 160 children live with the disorder.

As did keynote speakers and guests of honour address the importance of the celebration and launch of Autism Eswatini’s website.

“We gather today to change the narrative on ASD for it breeds children with incredible potential and Nobel Prize-caliber geniuses such as Albert Einstein. Every child with autism can reach their full potential with the correct support to both children and their parents. It is time that we enable and encourage our children living with autism in Eswatini and across the world, to achieve their dreams and change the world,” stated Ms Chester-Fakudze.

“We must support our beloved children through early childhood intervention. Behavioral treatment, supportive learning environments and skills-training programs for parents and caregivers are essential in reducing communicative difficulties and improving the well-being of children and adults living with ASD,” she continued.

During the celebration, a young, talented teenage boy living with ASD, and a recipient of ASD support, performed an incredible song on the drums. The room came alive, as did the young man receive a standing ovation from all persons in the room; demonstrating clearly the impact that special services and support can have on a child living with Autism, all of whom hold exceptional talents.

In the Kingdom of Eswatini, vital statistics and data on the number of children, youth and adults living with autism are extremely limited, as are resources and knowledge of ASD within the health sector. Thus, UNFPA Eswatini is conducting a first-of-its-kind survey to establish the rate of Autism Spectrum Disorders in Eswatini. So too will the launch of Autism Eswatini’s website assist to fill the gap of knowledge around the disorder.

People living with Autism Spectrum Disorders are at particular risk of being left behind during and following the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has brought with it great disruption and immense change for all people; something which persons living with ASD find extremely stressful. In fact, a global online parent survey launched in June 2020, indicated that one (1) in three (3) children with ASD have presented more frequent or intense behavioral problems during this period.

“It is more important than ever before that we stand in solidarity and strength with the many brave children, youth, adults, parents and the families of those living with ASD who  have the right to flourish and grow,” stated Ms Chester-Fakudze.

“However, we can only empower our children with ASD when working together. This requires the full support of the Government, development and non-traditional partners. Autism Spectrum Disorder requires individual treatment, for each person living with ASD has an entirely unique experience. Basic healthcare, therapeutic and special services, suited to an individual, are paramount to the thriving of all those living with ASD,” she continued.

For more information on Autism in Eswatini, please visit: http://autismeswatini.com/.