BY ELIZABETH MENGISTU
Who can feel and understand the emotional and psychological stresses, as well as the economic and social burden Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) inflicts?
Indeed, other than those parents who are raising children with autism and having lived experiences, no one can express the feelings, the experiences and the level of vulnerability those parents are undergoing.
As studies revealed, parents, specifically mothers raising children with autism encountered numerous problems in their life. They felt physically exhausted due to the continuous supervision of their child. Emotional problems such as denial, upset/sadness, and worry were also common among them. In addition, all mothers faced social problems such as social blame, social isolation, and ignorance from their relatives and society due to the atypical behavior of their child. Furthermore, the economic problem was also acute among mothers due to job loss, costly medical treatment, and therapies.
Especially, in communities where knowledge about autism is limited and economic status is low, the occurrence of such incident is perceived negatively; [as if it is God’s wrath], the challenge is immense.
The case is not different in Ethiopia. Parents, who are raising children with autism, have experienced the backbreaking consequences of the instance, and even many had been confining their children fearing social stigma and negative attitudes which led many children to a life of chronic sadness. It was at this juncture, the late Zemi Yenus, a pioneering teacher, an advocate for autistic children in Ethiopia, appeared like an angel being a blessing to neglected lives as well as their mothers.
Because she had a lived experience owing to her son with autism and clearly understood the pain and sufferings of parents, she started raising autism awareness in Ethiopia and founded the Joy Autism Center, Ethiopia’s first school for children with autism, in 2002. Then, she further strengthened her efforts in addressing the issue of children with autism loudly, under the motto “Issues of autism children concerns me. Let’s teach, and talk to people about autism.”
As a result, she was able to support several vulnerable children, lessen the burden of mothers and wipe away their tears. Today, Zemi is not with her beloved biological children and chosen autistic children, with her families, friends and colleagues. Leaving her legacy behind to her successors, she departed this life forever. However, even if she has gone from our sight, her courageous move in bringing the issue of autistic voices to the forefront, her commitment and contribution are always narrated not only by this one; but also the generation to come.
Recently the Joy Autism Center graduated 12 children and young people with autism and facilitated jobs for the first time in the history of such citizens in Ethiopia. Speaking on the occasion, CEO of the center, Elleni Damtew said that the center has been playing a great role in changing the attitude of the community towards people with autism through creating awareness among the society and undertaking different doable means to help the latter bring about behavioral change.
Since the last two decades, the center has been carrying out various awareness creation activities for millions of people employing various mechanisms. As a result, currently, dozens of families have got the chance to enroll their children with autism so as to get them the service from the center.
As to her, the 12 graduates will be employed at the Joy Autism Center and assigned to different positions so as to provide services in the center. Like any Ethiopian citizen, the graduates will be enlisted in the payrolls’ of civil service; and pay the required taxes to the government to become effective citizens, Elleni remarked.
She noted that the center used to undertake different activities on the graduated children to make them ready for the assignments ahead of them. Appreciating the effort of government to support the goal of the center, she said that it has provided the center with 5,000 meter square acre of land to construct a big Center of Excellency for autism.
She called on all stakeholders to incorporate people with autism into the world of work. Initiated in May 2002, Nia Foundation was established by the late Zemi Yenus to alleviate the all rounded challenges faced by persons with autism and other related developmental disorders, as well as young people living in challenging socio-economic situations.
The Ethiopian Herald August 9/2022
