Foreigner’s perspective on autism
SEGCenter is an organization that welcomes any parent or caregiver with a child diagnosed with ASD to get educated and to learn how to advocate for his/her child. I have a unique perspective in that not only am I an autism mom in America, I am also a foreigner with a child diagnosed with autism. As you are well aware, I was born in Cameroon, which is located in
West Africa. I came to the United States of America when I was ten years old. My three siblings and I grew up in a typical middle class African parent’s home (if you are African you know what I mean). The Cameroonian community was fairly small in that once you were introduced to a fellow Cameroonians they became like family. So we grew up with many aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters that weren’t even related to us. In our small community, several children stood out. We knew they were different but it was an “untalked” topic. Everyone shied from it including the parents of the child.
When we started our autism journey with Jayson, I began to think of those children from my past and wondered what was it about our culture that made autism or any disability such a taboo. Caucasian children have it, hispanic children have it and even Asian children. Autism does not afflict just one ethnic group or one socioeconomic group. It is widespread. As I started documenting Jayson’s journey I started realizing that a foreigner’s perspective on autism can be detrimental to their child. With all due respect, I am writing this to enlighten us and encourage us to face reality …Autism is real and it is NOT going away. The quicker we come to that realization, the quicker we can stop avoiding the obvious and do what is best for our children. Psalm 127:3 says “behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward.” Our children are an inheritance from the Lord. They are a gift from our Heavenly Father. What are you doing with God’s gift? Please do not let your traditions, your family values nor your foundational beliefs be what prevents you from getting rehabilitative services for your kiddo. Get the help you need now because you never know the difference it will make in the future. I cannot emphasize this enough, a delay in getting early intervention means more and more delay. Please get the help your kiddo needs now. It will make all the difference in your child’s future.
Love you all,
God bless you!