Project Summary: 

In this impactful workshop, 16 PDICH Girls were sensitized on the importance of being kind, respectful, and loving towards individuals with Autism. The session focused on helping the girls understand that individuals with Autism, like anyone else, deserve empathy and inclusion.

The core message was that building kindness and patience towards people who are neurodiverse becomes easier when their unique challenges and struggles are better understood. By fostering awareness, the workshop aimed to equip the participants with the social skills needed to create a more inclusive environment for people with Autism in their communities.

This sensitization event not only promoted understanding but also encouraged the girls to become advocates for inclusion and compassion.

Location: FCT, Abuja

Duration: 1 Day

Introduction

Ms. Olajumoke, a behavioral therapy expert, led an insightful session on Autism, explaining that individuals with Autism are simply wired differently, just as we all have unique personalities, hobbies, and dislikes. She emphasized how the diversity of character traits enriches life, much like the balance between introverts and extroverts.

Ms. Olajumoke highlighted that neurotypical individuals process information faster than people with Autism. For example, while a neurotypical person might answer “What is 2+2?” within seconds, a person with Autism might take up to five minutes to process the question and respond. She explained that key signs of Autism include repetitive behaviors such as hand-flapping, tiptoeing, and extreme tantrums, but only a medical professional can confirm if someone is on the Autism spectrum.

She shared practical tips for being a supportive friend to someone with Autism:

• Be sensitive to their attachment to objects.
• Keep conversations brief (around 10 minutes) to avoid overwhelming them.
• Approach them with kindness and offer friendship.
• Share and read storybooks together.

Overall, the focus was on promoting kindness, empathy, and understanding for all, regardless of neurological differences.