Diary of a Beautiful Special Needs Sibling

 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...

  My brother refuses to sleep. Help me! A good night rest is so NEEDED, but unfortunately it’s not guaranteed for everyone, especially for people with autism.  Younger, my little brother used to have trouble staying asleep. He would wake up by 1am and won’t be able to sleep afterwards.  Individuals on the spectrum often have trouble falling and staying asleep. He would wake up in the night frequently and of course, decides that “If I can’t sleep, no one else can”. Many people with autism have other conditions ,  such as  apnea, gastrointestinal problems ,  attention deficit hyperactivity disorder  (ADHD) or  anxiety . What I have learnt is that sensory sensitivitie s   to light, sound or touch may contribute to difficulty sleeping. In some cases, people on the spectrum carry mutations that make them prone to sleeping problems.  How we eventually fixed Tobi’s insomnia, if I am allowed to use that word is that we set a routine...

Are medications really effective?? I recall a particular medication my little brother was given by a specialist.   He had a serious reaction to it- his neck became very stiff and he couldn't really move. Of course, my Yoruba parents began to fear and fuss.  I didn't think those kind of medications had side effects.  ASD Medications can be used for various things- to manage high energy levels, to help a child focus, to treat depression, or to manage seizures.   Currently, there is no medication that can cure Autism spectrum disorder but there are some that can help treat certain symptoms associated with ASD, especially certain behaviors. Research has shown that medication is very effective when used in combination with behavioral therapies.  However, not all m edications work for all children. If you need to get a particular medication for your child or ward, the first step is to collaborate with a good specialis t.   It is important to work...

  There are thousands of battles that come with being a sibling to someone who has autism. Being afraid to invite friends around in case they don’t understand, fussing over being future caregivers, and not understanding why he or she is in pain. There are so many, my lord! Today is my brother’s 21st birthday and I recall how little he was before being this big and wonderful man I am so glad to be related to.  Yes, I love my brother, but some things upset him when it comes to him. Not everything is easy, but dealing with his challenges helped me, or rather made me grow. One thing I have learned is that nothing is impossible. There are days that I thought my brother wouldn’t know how to do basic things, but now- I am blown away by his growth, especially when it comes to his speech. Silence speaks volumes. This, I know. Just because he’s silent, doesn’t mean he can’t speak. I also consider persons with disabilities because I know how tough it can be. One of the greatest...