A Senior Registrar in Paediatrics at Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Dr Usman Ibrahim, has urged parents to seek early diagnosis and intervention for children showing signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Ibrahim explained that autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects communication, social interaction and responses to the environment. He said it is called a spectrum because affected children have varying strengths, challenges and support needs.
According to him, poor response to name by one year, delayed speech, poor eye contact, repetitive behaviours and regression may indicate autism, although the signs do not by themselves confirm the condition. He said most cases could be properly diagnosed between 18 and 24 months, while mild cases might not become obvious until adolescence or adulthood.
The paediatrician said autism has no single cause and may result from genetic predisposition interacting with environmental factors. He dismissed claims that vaccines, poor parenting or witchcraft cause autism, describing such beliefs as misconceptions.
Ibrahim said autism has no cure, but therapies such as speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and Applied Behaviour Analysis could improve communication, social interaction and daily living skills. He urged parents to seek professional help early, support affected children at home and avoid abandoning proven therapies for unverified treatments.
