WE celebrate World Autism Awareness Day on April 2 every year to encourage member states of the United Nations to raise awareness about autism.
Autism, a complex neuro-developmental disorder, is one of the most puzzling diseases.
Its prevalence has been increasing over the last 20 years. Its diagnosis is usually made before the age of 3 with significant male predilection.
It is characterised by social and communication impairment with repetitive, restrictive, and stereotypical patterns of behaviour, interest and activities.
The number of people diagnosed with autism has risen to 15 per cent globally since 2010.
With diagnoses covering a range of similar disorders affecting a person’s interaction, communication and behaviour, there is no specific cure.
There are an estimated 70 million people in the world with autism, and 80 per cent of them live in developing countries.
It is estimated that as many as one in 59 children are born with autism and, in many countries, resources are so scarce for children that they can end up being socially and culturally margin-alised for life.
The theme for this year’s World Autism Awareness Day is “Assistive Technologies, Active Participation”.
For many people on the autism spectrum, access to affordable assistive technologies is a prerequisite to exercise their basic rights and participate in the life of their communities, and thereby contribute to the realisation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Assistive technology can reduce or eliminate the barriers to their participation on an equal basis with others.
For the UN, the rights of persons with disabilities, including persons with autism, is enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
When world leaders adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in 2015, the international community reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive, accessible and sustainable development, and pledged that no one would be left behind.
In this context, the participation of persons with autism as agents and beneficiaries is essential for the realisation of SDGs.
For those on the autism spectrum, access to affordable assistive technologies is a prerequisite to exercise their basic human rights and participate in the life of their communities, and thereby contribute to the realisation of SDGs.
The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities acknowledges the instrumental role of assistive technologies in enabling persons with disabilities to exercise their rights and freedoms.
It obliges countries that are party to the convention to promote availability and use of such technologies at an affordable cost, to facilitate access to them, and to undertake or promote research and development of new technologies.
While technological advances are continuous, there are barriers to the use of assistive technologies, including high costs, lack of availability, lack of awareness of their potential, and a lack of training in use.
In several developing countries, more than 50 per cent of the persons with disabilities who need assistive devices don’t receive them.
But we believe in making a difference, and we will continue our efforts in research as well as supporting individuals with autism and their families.
Let’s celebrate autism. It is a six-letter word that stands for “Always Unique, Totally Intelligent, Sometimes Mysterious”.
OSWALD TIMOTHY EDWARD
Faculty of Business and Management, UiTM Johor