Embracing Autism, Empowering Lives

Having a brother with autism is a very interesting experience, it feels like I’m always learning and it always pays to be a teachable sister. At this point, I think I often forget that my brother struggles with autism because there are many parts of him that just feel like him. I often have thoughts like “Oh yeah, Olumide is very particular about his routines' or “I should pay extra attention to Olumide today since he doesn’t like loud parties' . In light of this, my mind often categorises these traits as a part of his personality as opposed to acknowledging that they are products of his autism. To be honest, I only remember this when we’re in mixed company, and I’m quickly reminded that most people are not used to his behavior and unfortunately, are not always as receptive to it. Despite the challenges he faces, my brother is the sweetest soul I know and I love him so much! He is such a daring, brave man who is an incredibly important part of our community. As an adult, I am much more educated on autism and mental illnesses than I was as a child, and this allows me to be more empathetic towards others and has greatly strengthened my relationship with my brother. However, I do wish this knowledge came earlier in my life, because I think autistic people deserve to live their lives feeling understood and cared for from the very beginning. I try not to harp on this feeling though, and instead, focus my energy on continuously providing love and support for my brother. I think these efforts are paying off, and I’m so glad to have him in my life!

Growing up with relatives that have autism in Nigeria will be a learning curve that all family members must learn to adjust to. There is a stigma around neurodivergent people especially among the African community across the globe, and the most important way to combat these stigmas is through research and informational learning. Growing up with an autistic cousin came with the understanding that humans are diverse not only by race, age etc , but by brain chemistry. I learned early to have compassion and to be open-minded. My cousin experiences all emotions, just like me, but they may look different to others. They experience happiness, sadness, anger, and excitement, though sometimes heightened, but emotions are emotions. Because autism is a broad spectrum, symptoms do not look the same for everyone which is very imperative to understand. My cousin is amazing at coordinating her outfits and putting colors together. She loves to help, whether it is in the kitchen or a task. She also loves music. As you can imagine, her listening experience to music is one of a kind. She is living a full, healthy life as everybody should and I love her very much.

I am a mother of a 15-year-old son who is non-verbal and has autism spectrum disorder. My son is an amazing young man, and his disability does not stop him from achieving anything. My son was diagnosed when he was four years old, and getting early intervention services significantly helped him to achieve various developmental goals. Having autism is not a hindrance to anything in my son’s life. There are many services and resources available for families who have children with autism. I feel very supported by family and friends and my son who helps to navigate the world of autism. My son is more than his diagnosis and his identity will always come before his disability.