Debunking the myths about autism

Autism is not witchcraft as is commonly believed in Nigeria and other developing countries. Autism is not a result of water spirits that need to be pacified through sacrifices. Autism is not a result of the sins of the parents of the child. Autism is a medical condition, diagnosed by a team of specialists including neurologists, developmental pediatricians, psychologists, speech therapists, and other experts including educators knowledgeable about the educational programming of children.

Although there is no cure yet, research has demonstrated that with a combination of early intervention, speech therapy, occupational therapy, behavior management, educational programming, and in some cases medication, the outcome for children with autism can be very good.