First Lady Margaret Kenyatta has called for the acceptance, inclusion and equitable opportunities for children living with disabilities especially Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).
She said one of the greatest challenges facing children living with disability in Kenya is that they are still being hidden or denied the right to care, health and education.
The First Lady spoke at the Blue Box Café within the Tiffany and Company Jewellery Centre in the high end part of New York during the 10th Annual World Focus on Autism, Tuesday.
ASD is a pervasive neuro-developmental condition which effects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others.
People with autism may have a difficult time understanding typical social behaviours and challenges engaging with those around them — either by using words or non-verbal communication . The causes of Autism are not known.
Most common signs of the disorder include delay or difficult learning languages, rapidly repetitive body movements and Lack of interest or deficits in developing and maintaining peer appropriate relationships and delayed development of social skills.
The First Lady said diagnosis of Autism is difficult because of scarce facilities for testing the disorder.
She said the prevalence of Autism and many other intellectual disabilities has not been well captured in many developing countries including Kenya.
She said disability, especially among children, is one areas she is committed to as a key intervention for the next five years under the Beyond Zero Foundation’s work.