…as GTBank champions autism advocacy
Deborah Asantewaah SARFO
A Neurodevelopmental Paediatrician at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, Dr. Yvonne NanaAma Brew, has advised parents to limit children’s screen time significantly, warning that prolonged exposure to electronic gadgets increases the risk of developing autism.
Dr. Brew explained that excessive screen time negatively affects children’s communication skills, as they often perceive gadgets such as phones, tablets, laptops, and televisions among others as caregivers and become attached to them.
“Screen time is very devastating…so, if a child is spending so much time on the screen, that child is at risk of developing autism. Most parents will tell you that screen time has greatly contributed to their wards’ development of autism,” she said.
She cautioned parents and caregivers while speaking at the opening ceremony of the third edition of the annual GTBank Autism Workshop and Consultations held under the theme ‘A Spectrum of Possibilities’.
The five-day event is one of the bank’s biggest Corporate Social and Responsibility programmes dedicated to provide support to people especially, children, living with autism, their families and caregivers in the community.
Dr. Brew highlighted a worrying increase in communication disorders among children at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, rising from 10 percent in 2016 to 30 percent this year. She therefore urged parents to reduce screen time for their children and encourage outdoor play, recommending regular screenings for kids aged zero to five years.
The Managing Director of GTBank Ghana, Thomas John emphasised the bank’s quest of “bringing enlightenment to the society about autism”, encouraging all and sundry to assist warriors (persons living with autism) to live a better life.
He expressed his appreciation to the team of specialists from within and outside Africa, parents and caregivers for their continued support towards the development of persons living with autism.
Sharing his prospects about the future of the event he said: “I hope that next year, we will do it bigger, we will stay longer and possibly bring in more specialists” and urged participants to invite more people to also benefit from free consultations being offered by the specialists.
In a speech read on his behalf, the Chief Director at the Ministry of Health (MOH), Alhaji Hafiz Adam stated that the theme underscores the potential and opportunities for individuals with autism adding that “the initiative to train empower and educate caregivers will make a significant impact.”
He stated that, in ensuring that children with special needs access health care services, MOH in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service and other partners, is finalising guidelines on disability inclusion in health promotion.
Mr. Adams applauded GTBank for the bold initiative of its autism advocacy adding that the Ministry of Health recognises and values the immense contribution of CSOs and Non-profit organisations in the special needs sector.
The National Inclusive Education Coordinator at the Special Education Division of the Ministry of Education Service, Rose Ofosuhemaa Darko, outlined some strategies the ministry has deployed to create an inclusive educational environment for all.
She encouraged all citizens to play their respective roles in creating an institutional environment that is “physically safe, emotionally secured and psychologically enabled for all children to thrive.”
