Let’s protect children with special needs
Most importantly, we must establish lasting support systems so that children’s safety, dignity, and wellbeing do not depend solely on their parents, writes Agatha Mia Asasira
Agatha Mia Asasira. (File)
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OPINION
By Agatha Mia Asasira
In Uganda, the death of a person following a mob attack, after being mistaken for a thief, is a painful reminder of the dangers of judging people before establishing the truth. Such incidents raise serious questions about how quickly suspicion can turn into violence and how easily an innocent life can be lost. What happens when the person being accused cannot easily communicate or explain themselves?
For a non-speaking autistic person, being misunderstood can be particularly frightening and dangerous. This is why I believe autism awareness, disability inclusion and respect for human dignity must become part of our education system and community programmes.
One of the greatest fears a parent of a child with autism carries is this: what will happen to my child when I am no longer there to protect them? Will society understand them? Will they be accepted, supported and treated with dignity?
Many parents are already struggling to provide for their children. Some face financial difficulties, while others are still coming to terms with their child’s diagnosis. Many experience stigma, rejection and judgement from their families and communities. Some are so consumed by the daily struggle to survive that their children’s emotional, social and developmental needs may not receive the attention they deserve.
Families raising children with autism need support and understanding, not condemnation. Protecting these children must be a shared responsibility.
I believe disability awareness should become part of school programmes in Uganda.
Autism can affect communication, social interaction and sensitivity to the environment. Without understanding these differences, children may face bullying, discrimination or punishment instead of the patience and support they need.
This responsibility extends beyond schools. Mob violence against people suspected of wrongdoing highlights the dangers of judging without establishing the facts. People who communicate differently, including non-speaking autistic individuals, deserve dignity, protection, and fair treatment. Suspected offences must be handled by the appropriate authorities, never by mobs.
I therefore call upon the Government of Uganda, the Ministry of Education and Sports, school administrators, and autism advocacy organisations to turn awareness into action through disability education, teacher training, inclusive learning, and community outreach. Parents also need accessible guidance and support, while autistic people, including those who communicate without speech, must have their experiences represented in decisions affecting their lives.
Most importantly, we must establish lasting support systems so that children’s safety, dignity, and wellbeing do not depend solely on their parents. Every child deserves a future in which they are understood, included, and protected.
Imagine a society where teachers seek to understand instead of punish, classmates include instead of bully, and communities protect instead of persecute. Imagine parents being able to look towards the future with hope rather than constant fear about what will happen to their children when they are gone.
To every organisation advocating for autism and disabilities. Let us educate our teachers, children, parents, and communities. Let us make disability awareness and the prevention of bullying part of how we raise the next generation.
The writer is an advocate for autism/disabilities