1. Autism and their right to better care
Statistics show that about 1 in 68 children have been identified with autism spectrum disorder
(ASD); it’s almost 5 times more common among boys (1 in 42) than among girls. Autism is
a neurodevelopment disorder characterized by impaired social interaction, verbal and non-verbal
communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior, the diagnostic criteria require that
symptoms become apparent before a child is three years old. How this occurs is not well
understood. Characteristic of autistic persons can be associated with intellectual disability,
difficulties in motor coordination and attention and physical health issues such as sleep and
gastrointestinal disturbances. Some persons with ASD excel in visual skills, music, math and art.
Autism appears to have its roots in very early brain development. However, the most obvious
signs of autism and symptoms of autism tend to emerge between 2 and 3 years of age. Studies
have shown that parents of children with ASD notice a developmental problem before their
child's first birthday. Concerns about vision and hearing were more often reported in the first
year, and differences in social, communication, and fine motor skills were evident from 6
months of age. Following are some of symptoms; someone with autism can struggle to
understand the rules of conversation, making social situations difficult. They don’t perceive
sarcasm, they’re too blunt but they don’t mean to be rude. Delayed speech development,
preferring to communicate using single words, rejecting cuddles initiated by a parent or care
giver (although they themselves may initiate the cuddle). not being aware of other people’s
personal space, or being unusually intolerant of people entering their own personal space, not
enjoying situations that most children their age like, such as birthday parties, avoiding eye
contact, having repetitive movements such as flapping their hands, rocking back and forth or
flicking their fingers, preferring to have a familiar routine, and getting extremely upset if there
are changes to their normal routine.
These signs differ when it comes to school-age children, these symptoms are presented as the
following; they prefer avoiding using spoken language, seeming to talk ‘at’ people, rather than
sharing a two-way conversation, taking people’s speech literally and being unable to
understand sarcasm and metaphors or figures of speech, reacting unusually negatively when
asked to do something by someone else, rarely using gestures or facial expressions when
communicating, not understanding how people normally interact socially, such as greeting
people or wishing them farewell, little interest in interacting with other people, including
children of a similar age, or having few close friends despite attempts to form friendships, they
develop a highly specific interest in a particular subject or activity.
Autism is a global illness, it knows no race, origin, or country; its percentage is equal in all. There
are uncountable violations regarding this segment of persons. An example of these violations is a

2. study made by the Autism Coalition for Treatment; a case was presented in North Korea on a
mission with Mercy Corps where they had met with government officials. Those officials claimed
that there was no autism in North Korea. In a follow-up meeting with Amnesty International, the
reason for this was told the grim reason; they were told that at the first signs of autism, children
are taken from their parents to remote treatment institutions where their life expectancy is less
than 2 years. An institute for autism was visited there and was found that many autistic kids live in
horrible conditions, one of hadn’t been out of bed for 11 years, in addition to many cases of food
deprivation and the neglecting of health conditions.
There are many cases of inhumane treatment of the autistic; a very touching case is for Oscar
Nosta in San Miguel in El Salvador. He received very harsh treatment at the age of 12 only because
he suffered from autism; he wasn’t allowed any human contact, he was hosed once a week
instead of bathing, his only food was either bread or runny rice. He was put behind a steal door
without even a bed; he couldn’t sleep at night because he was subjected to rats nipping at his feet
and insects crawling all over his skin. When Oscar was found, his mother explained that she had 2
kids to support with no husband or family. Oscar was given to a relative with a change of identity
so to provide the maximum security and safety for this poor child. Another case is for two young
Paraguayan boys, Jorge and Julio. They were both found suffering from autism and locked away
behind bars at the Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital of Paraguay. The two boys were naked and had
been detained in a 6’x6’ isolation cell for five years. This was justified by saying that they were
violent so they had to be put away! This kind of treatment is rejected by all humans, organizations
and societies.
The Global Network for Rights and Development (GNRD) played a significant role in supporting
those with autism and special needs all around the world. One of those activities was in Dubai
where GNRD-Dubai visited some of these centers in UAE and met kids with this illness, as well
as meeting the manager of an Autism center called “Al Noor Training Centre” and made sure
that those children get the care that they truly deserve. Another gesture was by GNRD-Jordan,
where a day of entertainment for children with special needs and autism in “Manar Center for
Mental Development” was held and the kids enjoyed the attention and all the activites.
Autism is not something a person can simply grow out of, but there are many treatments and
methods that can help children learn new skills and overcome a wide variety of developmental
challenges; Governments offer free services, the is also in-home behavioral therapy as well as
school-based programs. To deal with this illness, a parent must learn about autism, and to know
what calms their child and what angers and triggers them. Most importantly is to accept the child,
quirks and all, and not to give up. Be consistent, Stick to a schedule, Reward good behavior, create
a home safety zone, look for nonverbal cues, Figure out the need behind the tantrum, and Make
time for fun. With the right treatment plan, and a lot of love and support, your child can learn,
grow, and thrive.