Autism Group in Kitale marking the day as they call for inclusivity. Photo: Sefu Sabila.
As the world marked the Autism Day 2025, parents with children with Autism joined the rest at Kitale Museum under the theme “Celebrate Differences”, together with their children to mark the day.
According to the, the day is set aside to celebrate the unique conditions by their children, learning from experts and how to handle the emerging conditions of their children.
Giving an understanding of autism as the parents marked Autism Day 2025, James Wanjala an occupation therapist from Bungoma, explained the condition, which is a neurodevelopmental disorder.
He stated that autism is a neuro developmental disorder that is caused by a range of issues including advanced age, as the woman’s immunity is not weak, leading to autism to the child.
“Autism is a neuro developmental disorder, which is characterized by impairments in social interactions, communication and restricted repetitive behaviours. It is caused by prenatal air pollution, pesticides and prenatal difficulties during child birth, where the child lacks enough oxygen leading to autism. Interestingly, maternal advanced age can also cause autism,” Wanjala explained.
Additionally, environmental conditions like frequent exposure to lead while pregnant, once the child inhales the metal, affects the child’s brain, causing autism to the unborn child.
His colleague Job Wekesa said a child can immediately be identified with condition, as during breastfeeding, they avoid direct eye contact with the mother, speech difficulties and very strong, which makes them super active.
“These children, during breastfeeding, they do not look at their mothers, and avoid any direct eye contact. Again at the age of one to two years, they still have a problem with speaking; they are also super active and very strong. All these should tell the parent all is not well with their child,” he further added.
Brenda Amali, a parent with a 10-year-old child with Autism from Kiminini, said that there are so many challenges that come with bring up children with Autism in Trans Nzoia County, especially is in the education sector.
While speaking to Nyanzareview.com, she lamented of schools turning down children with autism, as they cannot settle down, owing to their condition of being super active.
“I was being turned down while looking for schools to admit our children. The teachers kept on saying Mtoto wako hawezi kutulia, so look for a school that holds children with disability, and the biggest challenge we have in Trans Nzoia is lack of schools that can accommodate children with Autism,” she lamented.
A predicament she shares with other parents, as they struggle to look for schools for their children, hence keeping their children at home. Most of the time, teachers find it difficult to handle them, as they have no prior knowledge of behavioural patterns that come with Autism.
“Schools often allow these parents to admit their children; afterwards they are dismissed as the teachers complain about them disturbing other children, we call on both governments to provide teachers and schools and accommodate our children,” she further stated.
Timothy Nabwera a parent further lamented that his grandchild is in Bungoma, as there is no school in Trans Nzoia, with those that are available are private and very expensive for a majority parents with children with Autism.
“The available school that I would wish my grandchild to attend is very expensive, I will also be happy as it will be near. Admitting him here will be reducing the cost, but I have no means. I will urge county government to build more schools in the county,” Nabwera stated.
Autism do not understand the danger, leaving them unattended could be risky, and sometimes caregivers leave as they feel the job is too much for them, Amali says she had two caregivers looking after the child, but left as they felt the job was too much.
She Amali further raising the financial difficult that comes with raising children with autism, a major burden, which has led to many parents staying at home to look after their children, as they cannot afford the cost of medication and therapy.
She said in a month, she can use at least KSh 50,000 for her child with autism only, with cost varying from the child to child, depending with the condition accompanying autism like epilepsy, hyper active and those who cannot depend on themselves need diapers.
“I spend KSh 1000 for therapy per week though not enough, skilled therapy KSh 2,500 per week, and medication amounting to KSh 10,000 depending on the examined conditions, as some could be a psychiatric medication, epilepsy and hyper active will need medicines to calm them down. I It is very expensive, I spend close to KSh 50, 000,” she explained.
Wekesa reinforcing on need for therapy for these children, to make them independent and lead a normal life, like other children, advocating for skilled therapy from dressing to speech, with visits to the hospital to receive medication to minimize the condition.
Hayers Empire CEO Victor Imbayi called on the society to embrace without discrimination children with autism, as it is not infectious. His sentiments echoed by Amali, who said the society should not chase away the children, as they love to be touched, and are always harmless.
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