IN EFFORTS to promote autism awareness, the First Lady’s Foundation organised an autism and health walk yesterday beginning at 6:00hrs.President Donald Ramotar, First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar , Minister Jennifer Webster and other ministers joined dozens of stakeholders for a walk through the city.

Emphasising yet again the government’s support at a brief ceremony after the walk, which began at the Bank of Guyana and ended at the Children’s Monument in the National Park, President Ramotar said that good health is important to the nation’s development and it is important to take away the stigma associated with Autism.
The president stated, “I believe that if these things are recognised and the earlier they are detected , the quicker it is to receive treatment and this can help children to live more useful and more healthy lives, in many, many cases”.
The teachers, caregivers, and especially the parents of the children with disabilities were commended by the president.
“I don’t think any amount of money will be able to pay those who work with these children in particular, to try to help them to live useful lives. I want all of you to understand and give them the appreciation that they deserve”. He also expressed his pleasure at the fact that government is able to assist the Ptholemy Reid Rehabilitation Center.
The efforts of First Lady Deolatchmee were congratulated by Social Services Minister Jennifer Webster. She said, “Our First Lady has taken the lead through her foundation, and she had dedicated her time toward working to promote affected families and to make our people more aware about autism which affects our country”.

Minister Webster said that Guyana has come a long way with initiatives, since decades ago, Autism was hardly known. “Our government is committed to ensuring that all our citizens and our children who have disabilities are provided for in a special way”.
She also called on persons to offer support to those afflicted and the families of those affected, as she also pledged the government’s and the Ministry of Social Service’s support in doing the same
“Ladies and gentlemen, as we celebrate Autism Awareness Month, let us through our acts, at least during April, look to see what programmes we can undertake to support those persons and to continue the work to raise awareness throughout Guyana”.
Autism is a spectrum of disorders that ranges from mild to severe. It is a mental condition that can be detected from early childhood, usually during the first three years of life. Signs of autism can be identified by children’s inability to communicate, poor social skills and repetitive behaviour.  Autistic children tend to have difficulties making eye contact and in engaging people.
Boys are more likely to suffer from autism than girls. According to Autism Speaks, an organisation dedicated to the promotion of awareness on this disorder, autism affects one in 183 girls and one in 42 boys.
In recent years, the rate of diagnosis has been increasing rapidly. This is likely as a result of the spreading of awareness, which aids in detection.
In Guyana, assistance is available through the Step by Step School in Bagotstown, Guyana Greenheart Autistic Society, Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Center, Gifted Hands in Parade Street Kingston, and the Ministry of Social services.

(By Rebecca Ganesh-Ally)