Help Not Discriminate: Using Technology to Help Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Justina is my friend but I like to say I see her more as a sister because I have known her for several years and she confides in me with some of her struggles especially her learning challenges. Justina tells me she is 23 but feels like she is 12 because of the way people around her; in her family, her school and church talk to her. She says everyone seems to know “what is best for her, and always want to tell her what to do.” Justina has a learning disability but she is currently in her final year in the university, thanks to her supportive family even though she says it has not been an easy task getting along with her teachers and classmates who sometimes tend to “shout at her.”  Justina’s story is not entirely new to me because I have conducted some workshops and training including children, and I have seen firsthand how children with autism and learning disability are treated in the society. A lot of them are discriminated against and many people also seem to be “impatient” when dealing with them due to their slow learning ability and repetitive patterns of behavior.

We all know that there will be moments in life when you simply need someone who will listen, challenge you and provide honest feedback and this is not different for children with autism spectrum disorder who also need someone to help them continue to grow and keep moving forward. Imagine if these kids have access to mentors who can listen to them without judging them or discriminating them? Imagine if these kids can access the internet and learn with online resources including having access to opportunities?

InspireIT STEM Club Project was launched in 2017 to encourage young girls in primary and secondary schools to learn basic computer programming skills, digital skills and build strong foundation in science subjects. After successfully completing the first phase of the project, I and my team reviewed it in 2019 and decided that the next phase will include children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Autism spectrum disorder is a condition related to brain development that impacts how a person perceives and socializes with others, causing problems in social interaction and communication. Children with ASD tend to have behavioural disturbances, deficit in comprehension, problem with social interaction and communication.

Many people in Nigeria discriminate against children with ASD and there are few centers for children with ASD. In many cultures, children with ASD are often seen as a “curse or taboo.” Often times, these discrimination do not help with their self esteem and they tend to withdraw from participating in activities both with other children and within their community. We believe that technology can help them improve not only their communication and social skills but also their leadership skills, networking skills and team building skills.

Special thanks to the amazing support InspireIT got from World Wide Web Foundation, our next phase in the STEM Club Project will include children with Autism Spectrum Disorder between the ages of 8 and 17.  Through InspireIT STEM Club Project, we will be reaching out to more girls in primary and secondary schools between the ages of 8 and 18 across Nigeria to teach them digital skills, help them build strong foundation in science subjects like physics, mathematics, chemistry, biology and basic computer programming skills like SCRATCH.

If you will also like to volunteer in this project, InspireIT would be happy to hear from you.