By Shulamite Owhoekevbo
MANAGEMENT of Schools in Delta State have been called upon to formulate and implement policies that would promote school health for children with special education needs for the maintenance and improvement of school population in Delta State.
Speaking on the “Role of School Health Management of Children with Special Education Needs”, at the Orientation Program On Autism organized by the office of the Head of Service, Dr (Mrs.) Mininim Oseji, disclosed that detection of early deviation from normal health and proper treatment to restore the children to normalcy was crucial to the development of their well-being, which would eventually impact positively on their success in schools and other fields of human endeavour.
Noting that the Orientation Course was a follow up on activities initiated by the immediate past Head of Service, Mr Reginald Bayoko on autism, the Head of Service spoke extensively on the management of children with special education needs including autism, stressing that all stakeholders including government, school management, parents, the international community and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) must be actively involved in data collection and policy formulation on Special Education Needs in the State.
Emphasizing that all stakeholders could support children with special education needs by listening, guiding them through clear communication structure and dealing with issues impeding learning, the Head of Service expressed hope that the Children’s lives would be positively impacted in the State.
“If we are focused, passionate and keep our eyes on the prize, no Child with Special Needs, including autism will be left behind,” She said.
Earlier, a Consultant Paediatrician/Child Neurologist at the Asaba Specialist Hospital, Dr Prince Ofudu, presented a paper on the topic, “ Autism: Challenges and Strategies for Inclusion.”
He defined ‘autism spectrum disorder’ as a neurological and developmental disorder that affects communication, social interaction and behavior in children.
Revealing that Autism as a developmental disorder has three features such as impairment in communication, social interaction and repetitive behaviors, DrOfudu recommended that awareness, physical and psychological treatment can assist in management. Adding that early diagnosis and intensive intervention are necessary for the development of the brain of the autistic child.
