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An Autism Public Health Education Initiative (launch of a novel) Aimed at Parents, Educators and Peers in a Developing Country.
Supportive peers, educators and parents make a significant difference to the quality of life of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In our setting, even though the education policy is inclusion, an ASD diagnosis often leads to non-acceptance into mainstream schools. In the mainstream schools also, children with ASD are oftentimes teased, bullied and targeted by their peers rather than being supported. Resource constraints also result in children with ASD not receiving adequate support in school; teacher aides are often in short supply
Even in the context where resources are constrained, sensitizing and educating peers and educators would impact the quality of the school experience for children with ASD by changing perspective and attitudes.
Story telling is an age old tradition through which children can be taught ideals and values. This project aimed at educating through telling a story about a boy with autism in the local context.
Objectives:
We aim to describe a public/Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) partnership project to launch a novel about a boy with autism and the initiatives to have the novel available in schools.
Methods:
In November 2018, a community paediatric service, an autism support group and another local NGO partnered to launch a fictional novel about a boy with autism.
The novel was written by the community paediatric consultant to describe the features of autism through the life course and to take the reader on a journey through the challenges faced by the family through three perspectives: the boy, his sister and his mother. Book publication was funded by the local NGO. The launch was hosted by the autism support group. The book was endorsed by a famous local artiste, a local university lecturer in child health and a professor from a research institute for autism in the USA. The launch was done as a charity fundraiser for autism.
The second phase of the project sought sponsors to donate books to schools nationwide.
Results:
The book launch was attended by the Director of Health for the region and the Minister of Health recognising the event as a public health education initiative. Parents, educators, health professionals and NGOs all attended. The book review was done by a paediatric trainee and mother of a child with ASD. Book readings were done by children with ASD.
In the second phase which is ongoing, funding is being sought to donate books to schools nationwide. The initial response has seen, three banks, two NGOs and individuals giving donations covering eighty five schools.
The committee would also advocate for the book to be on the schools literature curriculum.
Conclusions:
This public/NGO partnership project is an autism public health education initiative aimed at promoting awareness and understanding among peers, educators and parents. In resource constrained countries, this type of project can go a long way to improve the quality of life for children with ASD.