The FCT Minister, Muhammad Musa Bello has paid a surprise visit to Brain Bloom Center Apo, Abuja, a center dedicated to the care of children with autism.
The Minister speaking after a tour of the facility gave credence to the managing director of the center, Mrs. Rahanatu Yusuf and stressed on the importance of creating awareness about the neurological disorder. He pledged continued support of the FCT administration to the well being of persons with autism and other neurological disorder.
The Minister expressed delight and promised to be a passionate advocate by giving more publicity not only to Brain Bloom Center but also to people with similar conditions across the FCT.
The Minister also revealed plans by the FCT Administration on the installation of lifts in rail stations and other public buildings to ease access and movement for persons with disabilities.
In Her remark the Managing Director of Brain Bloom Center Mrs. Rahanatu Yusuf appealed for greater patience and acceptability of persons with autism.
She called on government at all levels and citizens not to forget vulnerable persons and implement the disability act to establish proper diagnostic centers.
Mrs. Yusuf pointed out that symptoms of autism may be similar to other neurological disorders. She went further to explain how some may have hyperactivity, difficulty in concentrating on a task for more than five minutes, Some may have have anxiety issues, they get scared when they try to learn something new, others have dietary issues, some have epilepsy, or have seizures because they are all related to the brain she said.
Autism is a lifelong non progressive neurological disorder mostly appearing at age three. Experts say it is neither a psychiatric illness nor a spiritual condition as erroneously speculated by the public.
