The National Universities Commission (NUC) says it will champion Professional awareness and increase capacity building in the field of autism in-order to train and educate the populace in the management of autistic children.
The Executive Secretary of the commission, Professor Julius Okojie, stated this in Abuja yesterday during a one day seminar organised by the commission on the need for specialized awareness and capacity building in the field of special education in Nigerian Universities.
Professor Okojie said that the responsibility of developing autism is a national issue that should not be left at a family level. He therefore called for the support of all stakeholders in ensuring the promotion of the needed awareness on the light of children nationwide.
He also said that the commission would develop a thorough research and will build well trained work force for the successful management of autistic children.
“National universities commission earlier started with the studies of gerontology and geriatrics, the commission is doing this so that we have a strong workforce in the study of how to take care of the aged people of the society. Again we felt the autistic children are left with their families and it is a national responsibility.
“It is only what we know that does not worry an individual, NUC has the responsibility of developing programmes in our Universities and after thorough research we will see how the commission will include this in our universities curriculum to enable these people with autistic disorder get adequate care and proper management”
This founder of Autism Care and Support Initiative, Dr Julia Ejiogu, also said that highly trained Professionals through detailed curriculum in Nigeria universities will understand better the care and management of Autistic Spectrum disorder in both Adult and children.
Ejiogu said that the foundation is collaborating with National Universities Commission to create support for autistic children and adult through the university curriculum and research work.
