Dear Editor,

The fact that in 2023 many Jamaicans are still unaware of autism is evidence that the country is nowhere near being a place where autistic people can thrive.

That it is an expensive neurological condition makes it nearly impossible for affected individuals to receive appropriate interventions and therefore remain “misfits” in a cruel society in which many do not accept the difference with these atypical people.

According to Jamaica Autism Support Association (JASA), in Jamaica some 678 babies are born with the disorder. Autism or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may be described as a broad range of conditions characterised by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviour, speech, and non-verbal communication.

While interventions do not cure autism, the measures certainly help in areas such as behaviour and cognition, thus giving them a fighting chance in society. Interventions, such as speech therapy, behaviour therapy, and occupational therapy, pretty much cost a kidney or two. The cost barrier automatically cancels out certain demographics as they simply cannot afford it. When it comes to placing autistic children in educational institutions, it is a nightmare. Some children are continuously moved from one institution to the next because the educators are not equipped to facilitate them. This happens in both public and private institutions. Of the few institutions that do accommodate them, the fees are through the roof, in most cases. Many parents still have no clue what to do with their autistic child.

Seen as “weird”, “bad-behaving”, etc, many autistic people are targeted by bullies from childhood into adulthood. It should come as no surprise that those boys attacked the autistic student in a high school classroom recently. Based on reports, this was not the first time. It is ironic that people with disabilities are referred to as “special”, having “special needs”, and so on, when they are rarely treated as special, in the real sense.

In a country with a high crime rate like Jamaica it suggests that too many of our people have a violent spirit, so perhaps it is a lot to ask for people to be kind to the vulnerable among us. But we can at least try.

We have seen where advocates like JASA have tried over the years to educate Jamaicans on autism. However, it is time for a more nationalistic approach to this, in the same way that other issues are highlighted. The society needs to understand autism, and this includes children with whom autistics will have to attend school.

Whether it be that more people are being born with autism or that the official diagnosis is increasing, the truth is, this is no longer something that we can say only affects a few. It cannot be overstated that Jamaica needs to essentially do better for autistic people. They need care, opportunity, and protection. The old saying is: It takes a village to raise a child. Truer words have never been said when it comes to autism.

Suzette Campbell

Communications professional

https://iamsuzettecampbell.com/