Skip to main content

We Want An Inclusive World

 

WE WANT AN INCLUSIVE WORLD: GT BANK 11th ANNUAL AUTISM PROGRAMME

Every year, Guaranty Trust Bank organizes a program to spread awareness and to improve the understanding of Autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Just like every other year, they never seem to disappoint. This year’s theme was called “Life beyond diagnosis”.

It was a two-day conference programme. Unfortunately, I couldn’t attend the first day, but the second day, I swore that I had to be there. Despite the rush-hour traffic, I was determined to attend. And yes, I don’t really regret spending an unreasonable amount of money on my fare to the venue. Although, my tardiness resulted in my reserved seat being given to someone else and I was forced to stay outside for a while.

I loved that the organizers followed the COVID-19 guideline protocol. They ensured that social distancing was practiced and guests showed up in face masks.

What is so remarkable about this year’s topic is that it talks about the caregivers and parents; I’m not a parent, but I am a sibling to an individual on the spectrum and it’s not easy. Dare I say it, it can be overwhelming. People on the spectrum and also their families face stigma. A child with autism is stigmatized because of multiple reasons, mostly about their behaviors.

Life beyond diagnosis is about creating a world where all individuals living with autism and other developmental disorders can be accepted and can be provided with support and resources they need and require.

The conference featured many specialists and consultants from various medical fields. The topics of mainstream schooling, special education, certification of therapists, self-care and social stigmatization were covered. One important thing I took out of the programme was how autism should not only be known, but also accepted. It’s one thing to be aware of something, but it’s another thing to accept it. Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Down syndrome and other developmental disorders need awareness and acceptance. There’s no reason to hate or demean, like we’re fond of.

I had a swell time. And guess what? Remi Olutimayin was also present. I don’t think he would ever know how much of an inspiration he is to me. Being a self-advocate, he gives me so much hope concerning my little brother. He’s also a voice director, voice actor and also a producer. How cool is that?

I appreciate Guaranty Trust Bank for once again, providing a platform where individuals can learn and get advice and suggestions on ways they can make their child, sibling or ward better. Thank you for being a voice in this very wonderful country that we are in.

You also can be a voice, by informing someone about autism and speaking up against discrimination of people living with autism, by showing your support to autistic individuals and their families. Finally, share resources. Let’s try to enable an atmosphere of acceptance and empathy. Deconstruct the walls of stigma surrounding autism and focus on the child’s strength and uniqueness! Be intentional about tackling barriers that these people face.

Once again, thank you GT bank for a wonderful programme and the consultation. Someday, I wish to be a panelist, but my fear of saying something extremely stupid makes me rethink that dream.

But who knows?

For more information about the programme, please go to their website. https://csr.gtbank.com/autism/events/annual-conference-2021/

Please check out my book "THE HIGHS AND LOWS OF HAVING A SIBLING WITH AUTISM" using the link below https://linktr.ee/ToyinAjua



 



Comments

  1. TameraAugust 6, 2021 at 12:11 PM

    Wow I love this,so inspiring girl ❤️❤️❤️

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownAugust 6, 2021 at 12:34 PM

    i honestly love the way you write, it feels so good reading this, i don't know how to explain, but reading this is so inspiring.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

EASTER SUNDAY- THE DAY JESUS ROSE FROM THE DEAD AND THE DAY I THOUGHT OF SUICIDE

I believe in the opinion that everyone has thought of suicide, and you can argue, but you know deep down, something may have happened to you to make you say, “I’m going to end it all.” But let’s talk about something that happened to me. Now, this article is not to scare you, or to make me seem easily influenced by the other voice. It is to remind you of three things. One, bottling emotions is not good.  Two, the role of caregiving for someone with a disability is not something that is your sole responsibility. Three, the devil is a bastard.  Okay, let's get into it. If you’ve been following my space, you probably know that I have a brother with Autism. As much as it is a beautiful experience, it is very scary. Whenever my brother is coming to the house from school, we ‘ Tobi-proof ’ the house, meaning that we have to hide some things, lock some things up, and it is quite a lot.  See also: Choosing Love as a neurotypical sibling Long story short. I had a meltdown on Sunda...
Post a Comment
Read more

CREATING A COMMUNITY OF AWE-TISM ADVOCATES: FIRST TIME SPEAKER!

 Last year, I prayed that I would be part of the speakers for the GT-Bank Annual Autism Programme and I got an opportunity! As a chronic overthinker and scaredy cat, I began to worry if I would be able to do it. Everyone knows Public speaking is not my best forte. I couldn’t raise my voice in a group of ten, why would I be able to do it with over 300 people in the room and more virtually? Despite the voices in my head and my tailor trying to mess up my life the day before, I promised myself that I would let nothing bother me.  Nothing. This year’s theme is creating a community of Awe-tism Advocates and I couldn’t love it much more. This was the exact one I wanted to go into. To be honest, I cannot seem to understand how GT bank had been able to plan something so perfect. Everything was perfect for me from the dance and drama presentation by Corporate dance world, to the end of the two-day conference.  I was part of the panel discussion "It takes with a village", this mea...
Post a Comment
Read more

Empower Voices for Autism

  Why is it very important to empower voices for Autism? There it is! Gt Bank has done it againnnn… It’s one thing when you’re doing everything you can to be aware of a neurodevelopmental disorder, it’s another to make sure others can be aware.  This is my fifth year attending the GT bank Autism conference.  Check out the past year’s post:  Creating a community to Awe-Tism Advocates And every year I go, I am so empowered and  also filled with hope. Hundreds of people attend to know more about autism, to find ways how they can help their children or students. This year’s theme focuses on inspiring confidence in individuals with autism to reach their full potential in their preferred sector, whether art or music.  I’ll start with the dance drama which was… Amazing! Mind you, I’m going to be using that term a lot. The actor in the stage play was a very talented photographer. The moral of the riveting story was that people would always try to take credit for wh...
Post a Comment
Read more

Special Education!

  It is a hard pill to swallow but children with developmental disorders are often not recognized in society.  Yes, I said it! Special education is a unique educational program for students who have mental, physical, and emotional challenges.  These children require special and unique teaching approaches. Sometimes, these approaches take place outside a regular classroom setting. Special-needs children refer to children who have some  sensory challenges.  Some of these challenges are common to children with Autism spectrum disorders, Down syndrome, Cerebral palsy, hearing impairments, developmental delay, intellectual disability, emotional disturbance, visual impairment, and much more. It’s unfair that children are placed in regular classrooms and are forced to learn the way neurotypical children are.  My brother once attended a school for neurotypical children.  This was a time when we weren’t sure about his diagnosis. I could tell that it was hard fo...
Post a Comment
Read more