APRIL 2ND: WORLD AUTISM AWARENESS DAY

On World Autism Awareness Day, we speak out against discrimination, celebrate the diversity of our global community and strengthen our commitment to inclusion for people with autism.” – Antonio Guterres, United Nations

Why is Autism Awareness day every important?

I gave it a quick thought. Why should we have a particular day meant for Autism awareness? Shouldn’t it be a daily basis where we advocate for Autism acceptance and inclusion?

But it doesn’t mean that I don’t love the great day! I always love forward to this day because it’s a day where EVERYONE shows their support and love.

This month, I plan to celebrate by releasing my first Autism fiction novel “All For my Odd beautiful boy”. It’s a story about a young mother and how she battles with household issues- her emotionally abusive husband, her meddling mother-in-law and also her son, who happens to be cursed’ or possessed with the devil.

Demonic possession has been a misconception of Autism for a long while and it's mostly in Africa where this stereotype is popular. Even as the world is striving for inclusion and awareness, there are still some parts in the world, especially Nigeria where autism is treated as a disease.

It's easy for us in the city to have the proper knowledge about it, but for people in the rural areas, they have nothing as a resource. No stable internet connection, no educative books and the healthcare professionals are not of assistance either.

We are so lucky to have education.

My new book talks about Autism misconceptions, the dangers of it. More importantly, it talks about love- a unique motherly love. Mothers who have special needs children go through a lot- and I would always have respect for my mother and how she manages to take control of the Odunuyi home.

I cannot wait to share this project with you on the 13^th of this month. I also have a lot of activities lined up for this month, with Instagram live shows.

I’m so excited!

In conclusion, it should be our duty to raise awareness, improve the lives of persons diagnosed with autism and also to strive for awareness in the health care sector. We should turn stigma and isolation into awareness and acceptance. We also need to push for policies that would help in Autism acceptance and awareness.

I hope this month and everyday, we shed light on autism and everything that concerns it. I also hope that we love and appreciate children/ individuals who have Autism.

They are amazing.

Take care!

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