Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition defined by difficulties in social interaction, communication challenges, and repetitive behaviours, with manifestations varying widely among individuals. Mfonobong Inyang, in a personal commentary, highlights how societal misunderstanding fuels stigma against autistic children, who often face discrimination due to ignorance and cultural myths. He recalls a viral incident where a parent offered rewards to anyone willing to marry their autistic son, a gesture that, while possibly well-intentioned, reflects a troubling tendency to treat autistic individuals as burdens rather than people with inherent dignity. Inyang stresses that autism is not a disease, cannot be transmitted or cured, and should not be mistaken for a result of poor parenting or spiritual curses. There is no single proven cause, though research points to genetic and environmental factors. He dismisses harmful beliefs that frame autism as punishment for parental wrongdoing, calling such views unscientific and damaging. Autistic children may have unique learning needs, but this does not equate to intellectual deficiency; many possess full cognitive capacity, though they process information differently. Sensory sensitivities, attachment to routines, and deep emotional connections to objects are common traits, often misinterpreted as odd or disruptive. Inyang urges society to replace judgment with empathy, advocating for communication approaches that prioritise understanding over control. He acknowledges he is not a certified psychologist but uses his background in communications to foster dialogue on inclusion.
When Inyang says autism is not a disease or punishment, he is directly challenging the deep-rooted narratives that dehumanise autistic children in many Nigerian households. That viral video of the parent offering incentives for someone to marry their autistic son reveals more than desperation—it exposes a culture that sees difference as deficiency. If society continues to pathologise neurodivergence through superstition and silence, no policy or awareness campaign will matter. True inclusion starts not with grand gestures, but with the simple act of seeing autistic children as they are—different, not defective.
