Lagos – I was in the first cabinet that was overthrown by the military in this country. I entered parliament in December 12, 1959. And I remained in Parliament until January 15, 1966 when the Government was overthrown. I was the Federal Minister of Education in that cabinet.
I woke up in the morning in my official house in Ikoyi to discover that my telephone was not working. I had never experienced coup before nor did I know that it was a coup, thinking it was just a telephone fault; until a colleague of mine in the cabinet Chief Abiodun Akerele, came in and told me there had been a military coup. So I had the fortune or the misfortune of being a victim of the first coup ever in this country.
Many people may not know that I spent 18 months in detention in prisons across the country. I’ve spent the time in Kirikiri prison, Ilesha prison, Ibadan prison and the Abeokuta prison Two of us who were in Balewa’s government emerged when the military handed over to civilians in 1979 as part of the civilian Government. In Balewa’s government, Alhaji Shehu Shagari was the Minister of Works while I was the Minister of Education. When the Military handed over to us after about 14 years, Shagari emerged as the President, while I became the Attorney – General and Minister of Justice. Again, Shagari’s government was overthrown just a few months after I left the cabinet. Of course, we suspected it was coming.
A lot of things that happened between that period and now would never see the light of the day. When you are in government, you know a lot of things; you see a lot of things. A lot of things you know or did or saw will die with you. This is the practice the whole world. People have asked me to write my memoirs, I just laugh because there are certain things I can never reveal. When I was in Tafawa Balewa’s Cabinet, all Cabinet ministers had access to written intelligence report every month. That was the practice at that time. But when Shagari came in, for reasons, which I cannot explain, that practice was no longer followed. But by virtue of my duties as the Attorney – General and as a member of the National Security Council, I continued to have access to some sensitive matters.
Nigeria is a very complex country. Our problems did not start yesterday. It started about 1884. Lord Lugard came here about 1894 and many people did not know that Major Lugard was not originally employed by the British Government. He was employed by companies. He was first employed by East Indian Company, by the Royal East African Company and then by the Royal Niger Company. It was from the Royal Niger Company that he transferred to the British government. Unless you know this background, you will not know the root causes of our problems. The interest of the Europeans in Africa and indeed Nigeria was economic and it’s still economic. They have no permanent friends and no permanent interests. Neither their interests nor their friends are permanent. Nigeria was created as British sphere of interests for business. In 1898, Lugard formed the West African Frontier Force initially with 2,000 soldiers and that was the beginning of our problems.
Anybody who wants to know the root cause of all the coups and our present problems, and who does not know the evolution Nigeria would just be looking at the matter superficially. Our problems started from that time. And Lugard was what they called at that time imperialist. A number of British soldiers, businessmen, politicians were very patriotic. But I must warn you; they were operating in the interest of their country. Lugard became a Lord.
Nigerians, too, should operate in the interest of their country. When Lugard formed the West African Frontier Force with 2,000 troops, about 90 percent of them were from the North mainly from the Middle belt. And his dispatches to London between that time and January 1914 are extremely interesting. Lugard came here for a purpose ant that purpose was British interest. Between 1898 and 1914, he sent a number of dispatches to London which led to the Amalgamation of 1914.
The Order – in – Council was drawn up in November 1913 signed and came into force in January 1914. In those dispatches, Lugard said a number of things, which are at the root causes of yesterday and today’s problems.
The British needed the Railway from the North to the Coast in the interest of British business. Amalgamation of the South (not of the people) became of crucial importance to British business interest. He said the North and the South should be amalgamated. Southern Nigeria came into existence on January 1900 … At the Centenary of the fall of Benin, I wrote a piece in a number of papers but before I published the piece, I sent a copy to the Oba of Benin. So when Benin was conquered in 1896, it made the creation of the Southern Nigerian protectorate possible on January 1, 1900.
If you remember, Sokoto was not conquered until 1903. So, there was no question of Nigeria at that time. After the conquest of Sokoto, they were able to create the northern Nigerian protectorate. Lugard went full blast and created what was to be known as the protectorate of Northern Nigeria. What is critical and important are the reasons Lugard gave in his dispatches. They are as follows: He said the North is poor and they have no resources to run the protectorate of the North. That they have no access to the sea; that the South has resources and have educated people.
The first Yoruba lawyer was called to the Bar in 1861. Therefore, because it was not the policy of the British Government to bring the taxpayers money to run the protectorate, it was in the interest of the British business and the British taxpayer that there should be Amalgamation. But what the British amalgamated was the Administration of the North and South and not the people of the North and the South, that is one of the root causes of the problems of Nigeria and the Nigerians.
When the amalgamation took effect, the British government sealed off the South from the North. And between 1914 andl960, that’s a period of 46 years, the British allowed minimum contact between the North and South because it was not in the British interest that the North be allowed to be polluted by the educated South. That was the basis on which we got our independence in 1960 when I was in the parliament. I entered Parliament on December 12, 1959. When the North formed a political party, the northern leaders called it Northern Peoples Congress (NPC). They didn’t call it Nigeria Peoples Congress. That was in accordance with the dictum and policies of Lugard. When Aminu Kano formed his own party, it was called Northern Elements Progressive Union (NEPU) not Nigerian Progressive Union.
It was only Awolowo and Zik who were mistaken that there was anything called Nigeria. Infact, the so-cared Nigeria created in 1914 was a complete fraud. It was created not in the interest of Nigeria or Nigerians but in the interest of the British. And what were the structures created? The structures created were as follows: Northern Nigeria was to represent England; Western Nigeria like Wales; Eastern Nigeria was to be like Scotland. In the British structure, England has permanent majority in the House of Commons. There was no way Wales can ever dominate England, neither can Scotland dominate Britain. But they are very shrewd. They would allow a Scottish man to become Prime Minister. They would allow a Welsh man to become Prime Minister in London but the fact remains that the actual power rested in England.
That was what Lugard created in Nigeria, a permanent majority for the North. The population figure of the North is also a fraud. Infact, a British Colonial Civil Servant who was involved in the fraud was trying to expose it but he was never allowed to publish it. The analysis is as follows: If you look at the map of West Africa, starting from Mauritania to Cameroun and take a population of each country as you move from the coast to the Savannah, the population decreases. Or conversely, as you come from the Desert to the Coast, right from Mauritania to the Cameroun, the population increases. The only exception throughout that zone is Nigeria. Nigeria is the only zone whereby you go from coast to the North, the population increases and you come from the North to the Coast, the population decreases. Well, geographers, anthropologists and population experts, draw your conclusions, Someone has told me the last population census was done by computer, what a nonsense.
The first broadcast of General Ibrahim Babangida when he assumed power in 1985 is very crucial to the economic problems we have today.
Talking on the first coup, when Balewa got missing, we knew Okotie- Eboh had been Hied, we knew Akintola had been killed. We, the members of the Balewa cabinet started meeting. But how can you have a cabinet meeting without the Prime Minister acting or Prime Minister presiding. So, unanimously, we nominated acting Prime Minister amongst us. Then we continued holding our meetings. Then we got a message that we should all assemble at the Cabinet office. All the Ministers were requested by the G.O.C. of the Nigerian Army, General Ironsi to assemble.
What was amazing at that time was that Ironsi was going all over Lagos unarmed. We assembled there. Having nominated ZANA Diphcharima as our acting Prime Minister in the absence of the Prime Minister, whose where about we didn’t know, we approached the acting President, Nwafor Orizu to swear him in because he cannot legitimately act as the Prime Minister except he is sworn- in. Nwafor Orizu refused. He said he needed t contact Zik who was then in West Indies.
Under the law, that is, the Interpretation Act, as acting President, Nwazor Orizu had all the powers of the President. The GOC said he wanted to see all the cabinet ministers. And so we assembled at the cabinet office. Well, I have read in many books saying that we handed over to the military. We did not hand-over. Ironsi told us that “you either hand over as gentlemen or you hand-over by force”. These were his words. Is that voluntary hand-over? So we did not hand-over. We wanted an Acting Prime Minister to be in place but Ironsi forced us, and I use the word force advisedly, to handover to him. He was controlling the soldiers.
The acting President, Nwafor Orizu, who did not cooperate with us, cooperated with the GOC. Dr. Orizu and the GOC prepared speeches which Nwafor Orizu broadcast handing over the government of the country to the army. I here state again categorically as a member of that cabinet that we did not hand-over voluntarily. It was a coup.
We also should learn a lesson on what happened, who failed or succeed in their coups. When it succeeds. They call it glorious revolution. But when it fails, it is called treason.
I pray that all Nigerians should rise up and say no if anybody seizes a radio station and says “fellow countrymen”.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
ABUJA, Nigeria – Paramilitary police and soldiers swarmed Nigeria’s capital Thursday ahead of the ruling party’s convention, where delegates will pick the candidate expected to become the next leader of Africa’s most populous nation.
The party is choosing between President Goodluck Jonathan and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, highlighting the religious and ethnic fault lines running through this oil-rich nation of 150 million.
Jonathan, a Christian from the south, became president only after the death of Nigeria’s elected leader, a Muslim from the north who had only served one term. For that reason, some within the party believe its presidential candidate should be another northerner.
The voting is to take place Thursday evening and is expected to last well into the night. The winner is expected to go on to victory in the April election.
Since the hand over in 1999 from military rule to a civilian government, Nigerian politics have been dominated by the ruling People’s Democratic Party. The party’s operatives have the political connections, money and muscle necessary to control Nigeria’s unruly and corrupt electoral system.
Security was tight on Thursday in Abuja, where car bombings during an October independence celebration killed at least 12 people and wounded dozens more. Another bomb tore through an open-air beer garden in the city on New Year’s Eve, killing at least four people.
Federal police spokesman Olusola Amore said more than 17,000 officers were on hand for the primary convention. On Wednesday night, officials sealed off major roads crisscrossing the arid capital and paramilitary police with night-vision goggles monitored traffic.
On Thursday, roads were blocked off as far as one mile (two kilometers) from the convention. Delegates, supporters and media had to go through at least four different searches, bags were X-rayed, and bodies were patted down and scanned with metal detector wands.
In an unusual order, Amore said the federal police force had told its officers they wouldn’t be able to carry firearms, grenades and tear gas canisters into Eagle Square, the convention site.
Before the convention began, the U.S. Embassy in Abuja also warned its citizens “to exercise caution and avoid areas where there are political or other large public gatherings” during the election season.
Every major ministry office was shut down for the day.
Jonathan’s decision to contest the election brought anger from northern leaders fearful of being cut out of the lucrative position of president in a nation fueled by billions of dollars of oil revenues. Abubakar, a former Customs officer who created an oil and gas empire before becoming vice president, was chosen as a consensus candidate of the northern elite.
Another minor candidate, Sarah Jubril, will be included on the party’s ballot.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
I bring you greetings from fellow Nigerians living in the diaspora, I believe that I speak the mind of every Nigerian living in the diaspora who would wish that the outcome of the deliberations today will contribute positively towards a new Nigerian constitution, a constitution that not only recognises the invaluable role our royal fathers and traditional rulers can play in national development, but most importantly a constitution that truly guarantees equity, freedom, prosperity and justice to all Nigerians.
It is on this note that I will like to inform us all that the millions of Nigerians living in the diaspora have not abandoned ship. We are all equally involved and as passionate and committed to the Nigerian project, and in the collective quest to see our beloved country, Nigeria, a potentially world economic power begin to take her rightful place in the global community of prosperous nations.
This I believe is the essence of this gathering today, to share ideas and views as part of an ongoing debate and dialogue amongst various stakeholders in the Nigerian project, which would ultimately culminate in making submissions to the Senate as they deliberate on aspects of the 1999 Nigerian constitution with a view to reviewing it.
In Who’s Interest? For Kingdom or Country?
The core issue, and central theme of our deliberations today, I believe, is the allocation of constitutional roles to traditional rulers. A question therefore arises on whether these agitations are purely in the national interest (for country), in the interests of the subjects (the citizens) or just in the ‘selfish’ interest of His Highnesses (for Kingdom).
Life teaches us that it is always advisable to give people the benefit of the doubt; in that sense, I would want to think that the clamour and agitation by the traditional rulers for constitutional recognition is purely in the national interest (for country).
Anyone who has had the opportunity of interacting closely with our traditional rulers will readily agree that some of them are sound and first class individuals. Recently, I had the opportunity of sharing a space with the Alafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi. It was at the 2007 edition of the Gathering of Africa’s Best (GAB) award in London. It was my first time of meeting the Alafin, and must say that he held me and the audience spell-bound that night with his masterful speech.
The Alafin was called out to make an impromptu speech and he did not disappoint. Without any prompts, papers or prepared notes, he reeled out history, names and dates like what one will normally watch in a movie. His speech which bothered on the place of the African in world history was not only motivating, but also eye opening. I still think that the standing ovation he received afterwards may not be enough to thank him for showing some of us the other side of traditional rulers. An intelligent side, a side that shows that traditional rulers can also be men of great intelligence and sound minds.
Another traditional ruler that comes to mind here is a man that has been hailed as one of the last true monarchs in Africa. I am talking about no other person than my traditional ruler, Igwe Osita Agwuna, Igwe of Umunri and Eze Enugwu-Ukwu. Those who have been privileged to interact with him on a one to one basis, or have witnessed his annual Igu Aro festival likens such encounters as one drinking from a fountain of knowledge.
But I keep asking myself, could the Alafin and Igwe Agwuna, and many more like them, probably idling away in their palaces and kingdoms not be made to be part of the Nigerian renaissance? And should specific roles be assigned to many others like them in the constitution?
There is no doubt that this debate has produced many contentious arguments which possess merits and demerits. The common questions arising from these various views on traditional rulers and the proposed review of the 1999 constitution could be summed up as follows:
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What should be the role of traditional rulers in an emergent democratic Nigeria?
Should such roles and the additional ‘powers’ be specifically assigned and allocated by the constitution or should the traditional rulers continue to derive their ‘powers’ and roles from their people – members of their community and all those within their spheres of influence?
Assuming the traditional rulers are assigned specific roles in the constitution, how would that affect the present 3–tier government structure? Would that mean creating a fourth tier? What about functionality, responsibility, and funding?
To contextualise my argument, I would like to quote from two sources. I will quote Abba Mahmood first, who in an opinion piece published in the Leadership newspaper titled: Traditional Rulers and Contemporary Challenges asserts that
Traditional rulers used to have a constitutional role. The 1960 and 1963 constitutions created a Council of Chiefs for them in the regions and some of them were even regional governors. The 1979 Constitution gave them representation in the National Council of State. The current 1999 Constitution did not even mention the traditional institution. Is this not enough indicator of their plight and dwindling prestige?
Perhaps picking up from Mahmood’s cue, Nigeria’s Senate president, Senator David Mark, during a condolence visit at the palace of the Shehu of Borno, Mustapha Umaru El Kanemi on the passing away of the Waziri of Borno Alhaji Ahmed, was quoted in the Guardian newspaper of July 17th 2007 to have remarked thus
We will continue to assist our traditional rulers and leaders who are responsible for unity, peace in order to further strengthen their roles. We shall find specific roles for them in the constitution when we finally review the 1999 Constitution.
These two views best capture contemporary thinking on the issue; an acknowledgement that, yes, there is a problem and a situation involving our Royal fathers, and that something needs to be done. The dilemma however remains finding the best way forward in order not to compromise the ancient institutions that the traditional rulers represent, which is that of acting as custodians of native customs, culture, tradition, and as spiritual fathers of members of their immediate communities.
Should we go back to the pre-independence era and enshrine roles for the traditional rulers in the constitution?
Should we create alternative models in line with recent developments in our socio-economic history, which adequately accommodates the traditional rulers in governance, and in the general the scheme of things?
Is it possible for us to have the best of both options?
Factors Responsible For The Waning Influence Of Traditional Rulers In Nigeria
There is no doubt that traditional rulers in Nigeria have gradually witnessed the erosion of their powers, from depending upon British colonial administration to dependence upon elected politicians. As their roles narrowed, that of the political parties increased. Perhaps it may be necessary at this point to identify the key issues that have contributed to the waning influence of the traditional rulers
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Self-inflicted (partisanship in politics, defecation of traditional values, lack of integrity by some, money-for-chieftaincy policies, in-fighting and ‘Igweship’/’Ezeship’/’Obaship’/’Emirship’ tussles)
Military dictatorship ( clipping of wings and enthronement of subservient culture)
Social malaise ( moral decay in the society, lack of respect for elders and constituted authority – including traditional institutions)
Dwindling sphere of influence (creation of new states and local governments areas have further balkanized the ‘kingdom’ overseen by the traditional rulers)
The Young, Bold and Restless and their brash manners (The appointment of the likes of late Igwe John Nebolisa as the Igwe of Awkuzu further eroded the public’s confidence in traditional institutions)
Conflict of interest between local government authorities and traditional rulers, and a need to clarify who should do what in local community matters
Globalisation (waning influence and interest in monarchies, and traditional institutions worldwide)
Politics (Party politics have been played in a manner to undermine the influence of traditional rulers over local voters)
The Economy (Dwindling economic fortunes which also affected the traditional rulers have further eroded their influence and authority, a situation where some traditional rulers ride on Okada motorcycles and ‘beg for bread’ does not say much for the institution they represent)
Civilisation and development (the era of inquiring minds, professionals etc. This era has witnessed lots of social changes including open same-gender relationships and marriages (in the West), doubts and public questioning on the concepts of, and existence of one God, and Allah).
Abuse of privilege (giving chieftaincy titles and honours to less deserving members of the society has created a society with false values, and negative role models)
The single status movement and the agitation for republicanism (the desire to let the people decide their affairs rather than having a supreme human lording it over them)
Arguing For Constitutional Provision
Productivity: Tapping into the rich talents and wealth of experience of the traditional rulers (A man Osita Agwuna, Eze Umunri and Igwe Umunri who was an active nationalist could have served Nigeria in much better capacity, perhaps he may have been able to do this if he was empowered by the constitution). Abba Mahmood also submitted that “The Sultan of Sokoto, the Emir of Gwandu, the Etsu Nupe and the Emir of Zuru were Generals in the Nigerian Army. The Oba of Lagos was a Police AIG just as the Gbong Gwom Jos was a Police DIG. The Emir of Kazaure has a Ph.D. in Law, just as the Asagba of Asaba is a Professor and most of Emirs and Chiefs were also in the public service and diplomacy such as the Emir of Kanoâ€.
Historical reasons (During pre and post-independent Nigeria, traditional rulers were assigned constitutional roles. Perhaps it could be as result of administrative expediency that the British very much involved traditional rulers in governance. At the lowest level of the colonial structures, traditional rulers were involved through a policy of indirect rule, while at the higher level, traditional rulers were involved through their participation in early politics.
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The colonial administrative structure and chain of command looked like this: The Governor General was the head of administration, the Lieutenant Governors were in charge of the provinces, The District Officers (DO) were in charge of the divisions and the Native Authorities comprising the local traditional rulers were responsible for local administration and governance in their respective domains. The Native Authorities were the last link in the administrative chain; they enforced locally decisions made at the centre.
Traditional Rulers and Constitutional Timeline
The Richards Constitution – 1944-1951
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The constitution established Houses of Assembly in each of the three regions, and a House of Chiefs in the North. The Houses of Assembly comprised official members (those appointed by the Governor, and unofficial members selected by the native Authorities from amongst themselves
The MacPherson constitution – 1951
Under the McPherson constitution, traditional rulers in the West and North made direct input into the selection of the members of their regional Houses of Assembly – at the Intermediate Electoral college in the West, and at the Final Electoral College in the North.
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Regional Houses of Chiefs were established in both the North and West which equally influenced equally alongside the Houses of Assembly the passage of legislation in the area.
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Traditional rulers were represented in the selection of members of the national House of Representatives both directly through the participation of the House of Chiefs, as well as indirectly through their influence over the composition of the regional Houses of Assembly.
The Lyttelton Constitution – 1954 (Revised in 1957)
The Lyttelton constitution greatly reduced the constitutional powers of the traditional rulers both at the centre and in the regions.
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At the federal level, the legislature was divided into two Houses: The Senate and the House of Representatives.
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The Senate was composed of 12 representatives appointed by the Governors of the regions.
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The Governor–General also appointed two representatives for Lagos while the Chiefs of Lagos elected one.
The Oba of Lagos was automatically a member.
The House of Representatives consisted of 320 members who were directly elected, for the first time, the House of Chiefs played no role in this process
Members of the House of Chiefs were not allowed to be members of the Senate, nor member of any regional legislature.
At the regional level, the Houses of Chiefs and Houses of Assembly held similar functions
Either House could introduce legislation which required the approval of the other House.
The cabinet or council of ministers at the federal level and the executive council at the regional level also provided a role for traditional and appointed rulers
The Independence Constitution – 1960
Independence saw the position of traditional rulers in the federal and regional legislature eroded in favour of appointed chief
Traditional rulers in the North fared better through the creation of The Council of Chiefs – a policy making body whose decisions were binding on the government
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Minority councils created in the Eastern and Western regions further reduced the roles of traditional rulers to mere advisory
The 1979 Constitution
The only formal structures in which traditional rulers are included in the 1979 constitution is membership into the Council of State at the federal level, and the Council of Chiefs at the state level.
1999 Constitution
There is no prescribed role for traditional rulers in the 1999 constitution
Further checks and balances (recent reports of the excesses of the 3 arms of government (legislature, executive, judiciary), likewise the 3–tier of government (federal, state, local) make a compelling argument for the traditional rulers to be introduced into the equation as further check and balance on the system)
Relevance (this may seem like a selfish argument on the part of the traditional rulers, trying to use the constitution to achieve some kind of relevance in the socio-political system)
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Fair play and Equity (The argument of what is good for the geese (politicians), being also good for the gander (traditional rulers).
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Political backing (President Yar’Adua has proposed to set up a National Council of Traditional Rulers – NCTR. Senate president has also indicated that the Senate will support a constitutional provision for traditional rulers. However the questions remains, are these purported support of the idea just a way of ‘appeasing’ the traditional rulers, as we saw in the days of Ibrahim Babangida and his car loans to junior Army officer?)
Arguing Against Constitutional Provision
Submission to known standards of scrutiny and accountability (If the constitution assigns roles to the traditional rulers, it is therefore to be expected that they will submit themselves to be scrutinised by the public who will pass judgements and comment on their actions. Such may lead to the debasing of the traditional institution which is normally held in his regard. Unless the UK model is adopted where her majesty, the Queen’s affairs remain largely secretive)
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Changing Times (perhaps the traditional rulers may have been very much involved in governance in colonial times, but times have changed. Let the politicians run governmental affairs)
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Funding (Any constitutionally assigned roles will require funding by way of paying salaries, allowances to traditional rulers, their aides, furnishing their palaces, offices, cars etc. This may further put a strain on local, state and federal government purses)
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Duplication of efforts (there may be conflicts of interests at the local government level, leading to duplication of efforts. There is an argument that what ever the traditional may be asked to do by the constitution could be better done by the constituted local government authorities, who were created primarily to bring government closer to the people).
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The risk of alienation (A feeling of alienation may arise amongst the subjects as the traditional rulers concern themselves with other matters of governance)
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Problems of bureaucracy arising from adding another tier to the already existing 3-tiers of government. (This may result in slow decision making and implementation processes)
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Some may argue that the traditional rulers are already powerful and influential, having derived the powers from their people, and that all they need do is to harness such authorities appropriately towards helping to attract development to their local communities. They do not necessarily need extra constitutional provisions to do that.
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To really function as agents of change, traditional rulers should work in tandem with the various community development and town unions in their areas to facilitate change in their society. That should be more than enough to keep them busy.
Conclusion
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Perhaps this issue should be balloted by the traditional rulers themselves after considering the merits and demerits of the arguments for and against constitutional recognition, but I doubt if there will be enough time for them to do that, in time for the coming constitutional review by the senate.
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I would still love to see the traditional rulers separated from the ‘madness’ of being involved in governance. Only a thin line separates partisanship and the type of governance they would like to be involved in, any little slip would tip them over to the other side and that is the side that may lead to the erosion of whatever credibility and respect they command among the Nigerian people. Let the politicians deal with all that ‘dirty business of politics’. There are serious risks of losing credibility if the traditional rulers get into the political ring formally.
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I suggest that governments at the 3-tiers involve traditional rulers more in local government affairs. The issue of their welfare should also be considered and be accommodated in yearly budget cycles. That way, the institution of traditional rulers as we know it will preserve its dignity somewhat rather than the sad situation we have presently where some of our royal fathers go around ‘begging for bread’.
This Paper Was Prepared For The 3 – Day National Stakeholders’ Workshop On The Role of Traditional Institutions In The Three Tiers Of Government Holding At The Abuja International Conference Centre. 11th, 12th And 13th November 2007.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
What is Autism?—– Autism, also called autistic disorder, appears in early childhood (National Institute of Health, 2001). Autism can develop during different stages of infancy and early childhood, but it is classified as autism only if it arises by the age of three (American Psychiatric Association, 1994). Autism affects more than six out of every 1,000 children. Generally, autism is not a disease but it is categorized as a symptom. It ranges in severity from a handicap that limits an otherwise normal life to a devastating disability requiring institutional care (WebMD, 2008). A saying goes caring is thinking with your heart. Families therefore should think with their heart when caring for Autistic children. Family members who think with their hearts will one day be remembered as great trailblazers, saintly but gentle individuals, tolerant lovers of people, and devoted protagonists of handicapped mankind. Since this handicap requires institutional care, Autism is considered the most disabling of pervasive development disorders, a series of disorders that affect intellectual skills; responses to senses; and the ability to communicate. The etiology of autism, with its pervasive, disabling effects on child developmental processes, is still not known, although all evidence points to biological factors as being prominent in its etiology (Urdang 2002). Biological factors make autism pervasive in developmental delay in children. Developmental delay is milder form of autism known as pervasive developmental disorder or PDD. Pervasive developmental disorders which seriously affect language, socialization, and behavior, include several specific syndromes (such as Asperser disorder and Rett disorder). Studies estimate that as many as 12 in every 10,000 children have autism or a related condition (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1999). The word autism which has been in use indiscriminately for about 100 years now comes from the Greek word autos meaning self. This very term describes conditions in which a person is removed from social interaction hence an isolation of self. Eugene Blecher, a Swiss psychologist was the first guy to use this term in everyday assessment and diagnosis. He was the first Psychologist who thinks with his heart on how best to care for these handicapped children. Blecher began using this novel term Autism around 1911 to refer to one group of symptoms of Schizophrenia. But in 1940 some erudite researchers in the U.S began to use the term autism to describe children with emotional or social behavior problems. The description between Autism and Schizophrenia then remained linked in the mind of researchers until the 1960s. It was only then that medical professions began to have a separate understanding of autism in children and families.
Autistic children are very sensitive and may even be greatly troubled. Sometimes they are agitated-by sound, touches, smells or sight that seems normal to others. They may even have repeated body movements such as rocking or hand flapping. They may display unusual responses to people, attachment to objects, resistance to change in routines and/or aggressive with self injurious behavior. As a result, Autistic children may fail to develop normal relationship with anyone, including parents, caregivers or peers. As infants, they may resist affection or consistently cling to someone. As they grow older in life, they may fail to seek comfort if they are hurt, and may generally like to play alone. These individuals may not seem to notice people, objects or activities in their own given surroundings. Some children with Autism develop seizures in some cases not until the age of adolescence. Many of them remain mentally retarded, although most of them with PDD have normal or even above-average intelligence. Often times, they show uneven skill development. Some have problems in certain areas especially the ability to communicate or relate to other children. While these children may have problems in communication skills, they also have the tendency to developed skills in other areas of life, such as drawing, creative music, creative writing, solving math problems or memorizing difficult facts. For some unknown reason to man, autistic children may test higher-perhaps even in the average or above average range-on non verbal intelligence tests. Permit me to sound weary, imaginary or idealistic in this analogy. Mr. John has great difficulty interacting with other students and family members. He has strong receptive language skills, but has difficulty expressing himself in writing skill or in speaking command. He has trouble understanding what fellow students think and what family members feel. This makes it hard for him to express himself either in words or through gestures, facial expressions or touch. Mr. John uses a computer for writing at all times. Despite the fact that he uses computer, John is fascinated with algebra, visual calculus, trigonometric identities and numbers. Sometimes, it is difficult to get him to do anything but mathematics in the classroom or at home because it is his favorite thing to do. He also has great difficulty attending activities or displays any organizational skills. These unusual characteristics make John an autistic student for special education teachers or autistic patient to psychiatric care providers.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has a broad diagnosis that includes people with IQs and mental retardation. Exploratory as well as quantitative studies have shown that it is three times more common in boys than in girls (National Institute of health, 2001). Because it is common in children (boys), this disorder prevents children and adolescents from interacting normally with other people and this affects almost every aspect of their social, psychological development and wellbeing. Autism affects social and communication skills and, to a greater or lesser degree, motor and language skills (Rudy, 2007). Children with Autism can be chatty or silent, affectionate or cold, methodical or disorganized. Despite the fact that Autistic children have difficulty in speech and communication skills, studies lack adequate demonstration when it comes to differences in communication and non communication skills. In a recent study conducted by Hsu-Min Chiang and Yueh-Hsien Lin (2007) on expressive communication skills of children of Australian and Taiwanese children with Autism who had limited spoken language reveal no significant differences in the characteristics of expressive communication between children with speech disorder and those without speech handicap. Both authors admit that no significant differences existed in characteristics of expressive communication between children who used aided augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and those who did not use aided AAC. Children with this disorder initiates fewer bids for interactions, commented less often, continued ongoing interactions through fewer conversational turns, and responded less often to family member communication bids (Jones et al, 2008).
Often times these children are visual thinkers of exceptional type. They think in pictures and not in languages. All their thoughts are like videotapes running in their cerebral imagination. Any human being in my opinion whose thoughts run like video type is at a cross road of intellectual management and organization. And in trying to educate children with autism Grandin (2002) enjoined parents and classroom teachers to take a toy airplane and say up as they make airplane take off from a desk. Grandin further states that children with autism learn better if cards with words upside down are attached to toys airplanes. The up card is attached when the plane takes off. The down card is attached when the plane lands. This classical analysis brings us to a jaw braking quarry. Should we then query whether adults who love to play draft (Uno) morning and night are autistic when they were young? This question requires further exploration by psychiatrists and special education teachers. While we wait for answers to this query, new studies show that children with autism have problems with remembering reality in sequence or in coherence. Because they are not good in this area, many of them compensate their weakness in drawing art and computer programs. Majority of autistic children are quickly fixated on new area of strength. Many have problem with motor control in their heads. They hate sound like fire alarm; fire crackers or the sound of a chair scraping on the floor or the sound of siren (fight-fighters). In fact, they are bothered by visual distractions and fluorescent lights. Autistic children who are hyperactive always fidget. They sing better than they can speak. They respond better when words and sentences are sung to them like bed time lullabies. They lack the ability to process visual and auditory input at the same time. Sequencing is difficult for these lovely kids. Also, fussing-eating has been found to be associated with this disorder.
Matthew’s Story of his experiences (As narrated by Mary)
Mary’s son, Matt is a highly accomplished professional jazz musician, with many public appearances and several CDS to his name-and he was not even a teenager yet! Matt lives with his parents and his little sister in Boston Massachusetts. According to Mary, “Matt was born different. He was always different from other children, even from birth. He was colicky for four months, crying inconsolably and weeps inconsiderably everyday for five hours. None of any standard calming techniques worked with him. None of the baby-setting ploy worked for him either. Matthew would not ride in a car seat like most children do. He would scream hysterically until we stopped and took him out of the seat. As you can guess, we never went anywhere and we never arrives our destination on time. Changing Dippers and giving baths were traumatic time consuming and exhausting. All Matthew wanted to do was to be nursed, in the dark, with nothing going on around him. He was very jumpy, never slept, and was very fussy. He would line-up toys and does things over and over again. Matt would be traumatized if one of his rituals could not be followed exactly as he expected it should be. He usually loves the habit of dismantling something he should be touching, or running away from any sort of interactive experience. Every outing ended in a tantrum. What misled us was the fact that Matthew had an extensive vocabulary power (because he was hyper-lexical), and he was highly intelligent. We thought his hyperactivity and distinction were due to his constant curiosity about how things worked. Matthew was extremely defensive in response to sensory input. We could not watch television when he was around. Vacuum noise, popcorn poppers, any unusual sound around the house or outside the play ground would cause him to cover his ears and become angry and agitated. He was also tacitly defensive and highly preservative. His saving graces were his hyperplasia and extreme intelligenceâ€.
Signs/symptoms of autism
Autism has a wide variety of characteristics ranging in intensity from mild to severe. A child with autism does not behave like other children with the same diagnosis. Many psychiatrists, psychologists or special education teachers don’t give symptoms of Autism a second thought. These professionals take for granted that symptoms of Autism can be very much confused with Schizophrenia, anxiety disorder or separation disorder. Autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia are like neighbors in the world of psychiatric fallout. But to mental health diagnosis, they look like strangers among millions of other health diagnosis. Perhaps you might have observed this in many special education classrooms or in any psychiatric units or settings. Based on your observations, you can make a statement of significant importance that can be argued or tested. Such statements could become a hypothesis, something we can test by looking into it very deeply. A testable hypothesis is a valid hypothesis. Children and adolescents with autism typically: -have difficulty communicating with others children because of language need. -They have extreme difficulty learning language. Sometimes, they make inappropriate response to people. -A child with Autism may avoid eye contact with people, and can resist being picked up or cuddled. Often times appear to be tuned out from this world. -He can have inability to do things in a normal way or have reduced ability to play cooperatively with other people feelings. -May need a rigid, highly structured routine and can become very distressed by changes in routines. -Show extreme hyperactivity or unusual passivity and extreme resistance to change. -Repetitive body movements including pacing, hand flicking, twisting, spinning, rocking or hitting oneself. -Insensitive to pain or lack of response to cold or heart. -Impulsive behavior and no real fear of changes. – An unusual attachment to inanimate objects such as toys, strings or spinning objects. -Frequent crying and a display of continuous tantrum for no apparent reason. -He can have peculiar speech patterns. An autistic child may use words without understanding their meaning. -An Autistic children show abnormal responses to sensation such as lights sound and touch. At times a child may appear deaf. At other times he may be extremely distressed by everyday noises. -Some of these symptoms occur in children with other disabilities where symptoms change as the child grows old. -Exhibit repetitious behaviors, such as rocking back and forth, head banging, or touching or twisting objects. -Have a limited range of interests and activities. -An Autistic child may become upset by a small change in his environment or daily routine.
Children and adolescents with autism experience hypersensitivity to hearing, touch, small, or taste (NMHIC, 2008). It seems to me that other symptoms can be seen in early infancy, but the condition may appear after months of abnormal development. In most cases, it is not possible to identify a specific event that triggers this particular trait. Judy (2007) and some researchers identified common traits as: failure to tell how it actually happened. For them saying one thing and meaning another thing is simply a misnomer. To them reality-show is real and a good word from a person on the spectrum is real deal. People with Autism spectrum live in the moment. They love practical issues that confront them. They love to attend sensory input that surrounds them. Judy further notes that confronting practical issues have helped autistic patients to achieve the ideals of mindfulness. Autistic children are talented in professional skills like engineering, technology, craft, architecture and music. They hardly judge other individuals or criticize their conduct. Sometimes, they see things just on the surface appearance to discover real life situation in the inside. Because they are not judge of people, autistic children seem to be passionate. They can be passionate about beautiful houses, about flashy cars, about cute animals. They can be passionate and idealistic about abstract things, ideas and people in their lives. Children with Autism are not tied down to any social expectations. What matters to them are true liking, interest and passion, not keeping up with the Joneses (Rudy, 2007) People with autistic syndrome have terrific memories. They have photographic memory compared to their peers in matters of critical details. They are capable of remembering what happened two years with accurate precision. In overall, they love to keep to appointment. Autistic individuals are always on time to important ceremonies and events. In professional matters, they feel less concerned with outward appearances. Many of these individuals are less materialistic. Women with Autism are not very much perturbed about make-up or fashion. They worry less about brand names, hairstyles and other expensive externals than most women do. Autistic men and women are very outspoken. They play fewer head games. Majority of them do not play mind games or head games. As a result, they have fewer hidden agendas. With no hidden agendas, they can tell you what they want you to hear at the spot. Always, they bare their minds without holding back. Autistic people do not beat around bush and they do not beg the question. In sum, Autistic individuals open new doors for Neuro-typicals.
What Causes Autism in Children and Adolescents?
In the field of psychopathology, there is little knowledge of what cause this disorder in children. It seems to me that research either is unsure about what causes autism in general. Some studies suggest that autism might be caused by a combination of biological or environmental factors, or both, including viral expose before birth, or a problem with the immune system, or genetics. Studies conducted by Autism Research Institute (1988) confirmed that environmental factors-including unprecedented exposure to toxic substances and over vaccination of infants and young children are key factors that trigger autism. Candida albicans have been found another contributing factor too (Research Review, 1988). An abnormal slowing down of brain development before birth may cause autism too. This is the more reason why brains of children with autism may function differently from those considered normal. Poor brain development and function is as a result of chemicals flowing in a wrong direction. Normal brain development is seen in the level of serotonin- a chemical found in the brain which declines in most children. Small but significant proportion of children diagnosed as autistic are victim of severe Candida infection. This infection produces toxins which causes severe long-term disruption of the immune system and attack the brain. When the immune and brain systems are affected, autistic children would display an unusual level of interest in their family and surroundings. When this happens, series of ear infection may occur, soon after an ominous charge begins to occur. Speech development would drop, and then regresses, often to the point of muteness. Within a few week or months, these children would become unresponsive and lose interest in the love of their life (parents or caregivers) and in their surroundings. Many scientific investigations have examined the possible connection between autism and measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
Different Types of Autism
General Symptoms of Autism have led modern science to identify three Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) subtypes, namely: (Autism, Asperger and PDDNOS). In terms of clinical or demographic characteristics, these three subtypes are different (Andrea et al, 2008). The first type is called Autism Disorder: – This is what people think of when they hear the word Autism. People with Autism disorder suffers from social interactions, communication and imaginative play in children younger than 3 years. The second type is called Asperger Syndrome: – Children who have Asperger have problem with language per se. They have a poor language development. They also score average or above average range on intelligence tests. Most often, these children continuously exhibit the same type of social problems with limited scope of interest as children with autistic disorder (WebMD, 2008). The third type is called Pervasive Developmental Disorder or PDD- This is known as atypical autism. PDD is a psychiatric catch word or expression for all categories for children who have some autistic tendencies but who do not fit strictly into other psychiatric categories. The fourth type is called Rett Disorder: This form of Autism is known to occur frequently only in girls. Rett children begin to develop rapidly and later begin to lose their communication and social skills. Beginning at the age of 1-4yrs, repetitive hand movements replaces purposeful use of hands (WebMD, 2008). The fifth type of Autism is described as: Childhood disintegrative disorder: Here children develop normally for at least two years, and then lose some or most of their communication and social skills by the age of 10. When communication and social skills are lost, the child is said to have child disintegrative disorder.
Treatment of Autism
It seems that evaluation and treatment of Autism must center on diagnostic reliability and validity of assessment in psychotherapy. Assessment and evaluation must center on problems with communication, language, motor skills, speech, success at school and finally thinking abilities. Treatment also must focus on psychopharmacological efficacy. Assessment and treatment must aim at advancing the understanding of autism, including potential causes and prevalence outcomes e.g. genetic, immunological and environmental hazards. Study has shown that there is no established cure for Autism in Psychopathology. Because there is no prescribed cure, there is need for prolonged behavior modifications. Behavior modification includes positive reinforcement and social skills training. All these have been found the treatment of choice (Groden & Baron, 1988). There are some modalities that can help manage autism symptoms, as well as help teach social skills and behavioral skills. Primarily social goals and behavioral skills in treatment aim to improve the overall ability of the child to function well. Also, early diagnosis and treatment helps children in the long run. There are many obstacles in achieving these efficacious treatment modalities. According to Autism Research Institute (2008), a major obstacle in autism research has been the lack of a valid means of measuring the effectiveness of various treatments. Parents of autistic children represent a vast and important reservoir of information on the benefits or adverse effects of the large variety of drugs and other interventions that have been tried with children. Against these backdrops, there are three treatment approaches that are capable of treating Autism. Since the need of children are different, treatment modalities according to Autism Research Institute are: Drug, Biomedical/ Non-Drug/Supplements & Special diets.
Medication
Researchers have published hundreds of studies attempting to evaluate different biomedical and psycho-educational interventions intended to benefit autistic children. Experimental studies show that medicines can be useful towards treating behavioral and emotional dysfunctions associated with Autism (New York Times, 2010). Therapists and some medical critics believe that much of these researches have produced inconclusive, incoherent or, worse still, a misleading results because there are useful tests, beneficial traditional therapies or scales designed to measure treatment effectiveness. The inability to apply traditional therapeutic treatments (Herbs/roots (mgborogwu), Qigong, acupressure & acupuncture) before bio-medical options can be viewed as therapeutic suicide, a treatment in a wrong direction. In classical literary expression or in Hebrew linguistic expression-it is like when one is running well but outside the track (meaning Hamasia). There is lack of adequate scale in our health care centers and hospitals, such as childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), the Gilliam Autism Rating Scale (GARS), or the Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC). These lacks often pose an ominious danger and a big problem to assessment and treatment. Generally, these scales are designed to diagnose autism to tell whether or not a child is autistic. On the other hand, biomedical therapies are often based on the DAN (Defeat Autism Now) model. Psychologists and psychiatrists trained in DAN Protocol are most likely to prescribe special diets, supplements and alternative treatments as the case may be. This medication is beneficial to children with irritability and aggression associated with autism. Today, some children appear to respond to a gluten-free or Casein-free diet. Gluten is found in food containing wheat, rye, and barley. Casein is found in milk, cheese and other dairy products (New York Times, 2010). Nutritional supplement such as DMG is safe for young children too. While this is the case, medication becomes beneficial to children with irritability and aggression associated with autism. There are multiple brands of medications for treatment purposes. For example: Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft. Risperidon is another approved medication of choice by food and drug Administration (FDA). Some children would do better on Prozac while others on Zoloft. These medications are positive relief to high functioning Autism spectrum children with co morbidity anxiety disorders. These medications are effective because children with autism have a very sensitive nervous system. As far as I know, many biomedical therapies have offered positive results in many treatment cases. But Autism treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) is totally different (CARS, GARS & ABC) because it shares some enduring commonalities. ATEC was developed by Bernard Rimland and Stephen M Edison (1988) of the Autism Research Institute to fill this yearning lacuna that is especially urgent right now because of the 20 or more studies beginning to evaluate the secrets and privy of Autism. Their study was designed in a form of assessment checklist to be completed by parents, special education teachers, or psychiatric caretakers. This study consists of 4 subtests (1) Speech/ Language Communication (14 items) (2) Sociability (20 items) (3) Sensory/cognitive awareness (18) (4) health/physical/behavior (25 items). Other treatment modalities include:
Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA)
Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) is defined as the science in which the principles of the analysis of behavior are applied systematically to improve socially significant behavior, and in which experimentation is used to identify the variables responsible for change in behavior (Cooper et al, 2007).The word Applied means practice to develop skills while behavioral analysis refers to learning and understanding that leads to a new skill in life. Behavioral analysis was a common treatment model adopted by Skinner and other behaviorists after him. ABA is the oldest treatment modality for the treatment of autism syndrome disorder. The applied behavioral analysis focuses on reward based training on the child. This method centers on teaching autistic children some basic practical skills. Besides ABA, other types of treatments have developed which include assessment and education of Autistic and related communication Handicapped children (TEACCH) and sensory integration.
Speech Therapy (ST)
Studies show that almost all people with autism have issues with speech and language (Judy, 2007). People with this disorder are challenged by articulation, grammar and speech pragmatics (i.e. the use of speech to build social relationships). Speech therapy becomes best treatment option for kids with language disorders; having trouble understanding people or has trouble putting words together to express thoughts. Speech and language therapies are helpful to kids who have the following medical conditions: swallowing disorder, cleft-lip or palate, weak muscles around the mouth, hearing impairment and breathing disorder (Nelson, 2005).
If your kids have trouble expressing certain words or trouble understanding others, they would need to see a speech language pathologist, also known as speech therapist. Speech pathologists help children with articulation disorder to say certain sounds/words correctly. Kids who repeat certain words or have trouble saying the complete word (fluency disorder) receive treatment through speech therapy. In fluency disorder, speech pathologists assist children to overcome sound stutter (st-a-a-y, i.e. stay) which is called fluency disorder. When kids start a sentence loud and clear, but become quiet and mumbling at the end, these types of kids need treatment in voice disorder. Children with voice disorder need help to overcome the act of speaking through their noise. According to Bureau of labor statistics (2008-2009) speech language pathologists select augmentative or alternative communication methods, including automated devices and sign language, and teach their use to individuals with little or no speech capability. They also teach those with little or no speech capability how to make sounds, improve their voices, or increase their language skills to communicate more effectively. They help patients who have suffered loss of speech to develop, or to recover, and have reliable communication skills so that patients can fulfill their educational, vocational, and social roles.
Occupational Therapy (OT)
This is a treatment method of focusing on building daily living skills. Occupational therapy focuses on enabling people to do the activities of daily life (American Occupational therapy Association). Such activities include helping children in care unites or CPS learn of their new environment that is different from their family of origin. Occupational therapists help adolescents in high school to learn reading, learning and writing assignments. Another goal is to help individuals resume as much as their patterns of living as possible (Punwar et al, 2000). Its primary strategy is helping children in washing, using the toilet, grooming, and dressing. According to Punwar these strategies were medically prescribed form of treatment and were usually conducted in hospitals, sanitarium, or community workshops. Other duties performed by occupational therapists include: hand washing, computer use, driving, cooking, housekeeping or the tasks a person is expected to perform on job (Kalb, 2004). Participation in these activities is vital in maintaining the overall wellness of patients. Sometimes, occupational therapists focuses on strategies to enhance the performance of activities at home or at work, including energy management to improve productivity or to reduce fatigue (National multiple sclerosis, 2008). During treatment, therapists try by strengthening and stretching exercises for the upper body, and activities designed to improve coordination and unpresumptuous interventions especially tailored to individual level of functioning. Most health care professionals employ this methodology because patients have delayed motor skills. Besides Occupational therapy, therapists can employ integration therapy- a technique which may help autistic children manage hypersensitivity to sound, light and touch and finally help them develop an individualized plan of care tailored to each patient’s needs.
Physical Therapy (PT)
Mary Kolb (2005) described the definition of physical therapy in the dictionary of occupational titles as narrow, technical, and obsolete. In modern studies, physical therapy helps build up strength, coordination and basic sports skills. This treatment option is beneficial to individuals with any form of developmental or gross motor delays. The history of physical therapy as a profession began in 1914-1919 after the First World War in the United States. According to Dreeben (2007), this period in the physical therapy profession was called the reconstruction. It was created because the first and second world war brought a greater number of causalities and distress to American people. The post-war impact challenged American society to develop this therapeutic method to care for returning veterans. As a result, Dreeben concludes that a handful of physicians called orthopedists and 1200 young women called “reconstruction aides†were physical therapy and occupational therapy pioneers who treated injured soldiers.
Specialized Therapies (ST)
Under normal circumstances, specialized treatment includes Speech, Occupational and physical therapies. These therapies are important components of managing autism and should be included in various aspects of the child treatment. These three therapies can help in many different ways: Speech therapy can help a child with autism improve language and social skills to communicate more effectively. There are other therapies that could be of benefit namely: -Occupational and physical therapy can help improve any differences in coordination and motor skills -Occupational therapy may help to learn to process information from the senses (light, sound, hearing, touch and smell), in more manageable way -Medications-Mostly and commonly used to treat related conditions and problems including depression, anxiety, hyperactivity and obsessive-compulsive behavior (Web MD, 2008).
Social Skills Therapy (SST)
Social skills training (SST) is a form of behavior therapy used by teachers, therapists, psychiatrists and trainers to help persons who have difficulties relating to other people. Children with autism have core deficits in social relation to others. They lack social and communication skills too. Here, therapy focuses on building skills they need to strike and hold conversation, connect with new friends or even navigate the playground (Judy, 2007). A major goal in social skills training is teaching persons who may or may not have emotional problems about the verbal as well as nonverbal behaviors involved in social interactions. Social skills training helps patients to learn to interpret these and other social signals, so that they can determine how to act appropriately in the company of other people in a variety of different situations (see Encyclopedia of mental health disorder). Social skills learning and therapy groups are offered in many private and public facilities to help children who have difficulty making or keeping friends to coping with aggression and peer pressure.
Play Therapy (PT)
All work and no play they say make a jack a doll boy. Unlike adults, whose natural medium of communication is verbalization, the natural medium of communication for children is play and activity (Landreth, 2002). Play therapy is generally employed with children aged 3 through 11 and it provides a way for them to express their experiences and feelings through a natural, self-guided, self-healing process. Children with autism syndrome experience the skills and ability to play. On one hand, drama or play can serve as tool for building speech communication, or social skills. Psychiatrists and therapists have always incorporated play therapy into speech, occupational or physical therapies. Play therapy is often used as a tool for diagnosis. The objects and patterns of play, as well as the willingness to interact with therapist, can be used to understand the underlying rationale for behavior both inside and outside the session. By engaging in the process we call play, children can learn to live in our symbolic worlds of meanings and values, at the same time exploring and experimenting and learning in their own individual ways (Landreth, 2002).
Behavior Therapy (BT)
Behaviorism is the philosophy behind the science of behavior. Gombosi (1998) recognizes the importance of behavioral approach when commenting that for those of us who are raised in the psychodynamic tradition; it is both inspiring and humbling to see outstanding improvement some autistic children can make within a strictly behavioral and intensive program. Gombosi adds that such improvement sometimes point to where they attend school. Children with autism are hyper and often frustrated. They are often times misunderstood, and have a tough time communicating their needs, and as a result they suffer from hypersensitivities to sound, light and touch (Judy, 2007). In behavior therapy therefore, psychiatrists must try to figure out what motivates negative behavior and replace it with positive behavior, reinforcement and skills. They must recommend change to the environment and routine to facilitate better and positive behavior. According to American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Behavioral training and management uses positive reinforcement, self-help and social skills training to improve behavior and communication.
Developmental Therapies (DT)
Developmental Therapy is the assessment, treatment and instruction of individuals with disabilities in activities of daily living. This therapy help children, teens and adults become more independent and involved in their communities. Professionals who engage in this form of treatment mode work tirelessly to develop skills for children for daily living. They also assist in helping patients in socialization, self-help and communication. Studies in Psychopathology reveal that relationship development and intervention is best therapy in strengthening family dynamics. This therapy is the best developmental treatments for children with autism. In this form of treatment, therapists often engage in building child own interests, and potentials for strengths to increase emotional, social and intellectual abilities. In developmental therapy, children are taught to learn adequate skills such as brushing their teeth, tying their shoes, washing dishes after each meal and packing books in the school bag after assignment.
Visually-Based Therapies (VBT)
Margarete Naumburg was known to be the original mother of Art therapy in the U.S, because she substituted the easel for the couch (Ulman, 1987). I call her the grandmother of autistic care and aid. As a result of this substitution, Kaplan (2007) note that her focus was on exploring the individual’s unconscious, and the painting or drawing by client that was the object of free association in a manner similar to the Freudian approach to dreams. Research on children abilities indicates that children with autism are great visual thinkers. Great visual thinkers often are not sound receptors. In trying to treat children, therapist must employ picture-based communication systems such as PECS, (picture Exchange Communication) when assisting them in skill development. Video modeling, video games and electronic communications systems often taps into autistic visual strength and image to build further skills and community enrichment (Kaplan, 2007). Screen of Autism was sometime in history designed to identify children with potential disabilities that may qualify them for special program in school, at home or within psychiatric settings. Children with Autism have language difficulties and parents are worried because they are not talking. These children also worry because other people cannot understand them too. Autistic children can have learning problems. Statistics show that 2% of children with Autism have difficulty learning new concepts such as color identification or counting of numbers. These children can have emotional problems as well. Emotional problems often cause autistic children to have multiple fears and worries or be constantly afraid of the night or dark environment (Ulman, 1987). Autistic children tend to be overly aggressive or withdrawn and unresponsive. Many Autistic children I have talked to tend to express some physical difficulties. They seem to have trouble hearing voices or other sounds. Many have been diagnosed as having severe hearing loss with special health or physical problems. And the problem of these children in my understanding is the problem of families and societies. Gerald Ogbuja
References: 1. American psychiatric Association (1994) Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorder (4th Ed), Washington DC: Author 2. Andrea, W & Lecavalier, L (2008) Examining the validity of Autism Spectrum Disorder Subtype, Journal of Autism and developmental disorder, Springer, Netherland 3. Autism Research Institute (1988) Accessed January 12, 2011 @ http://www.autism.com 4. Bernard Rimland & Stephen Edison (1988) Psychologists ended the dark ages of Autism, Autism Research Institute 5. Bureau of labor statistics (2008-2009), Occupational outlook Health diagnosis and treatment, United states Department of labor report. 6. Cooper, JO, Heron, TE & Heward, WL (2007) Applied Behavior Analysis (2nd Edition, Merill Publisher 7. Gombosi, PG (1998) Parents of Autistic children: some thoughts about trauma dislocation and tragedy, In AJ Solnit, PB, Neubauer, S. Abram & AS Dowling (Eds), the psychoanalytic study of the child. Vol.53 New Haven: Yale University Press. 8. Grandin, T (2002) Teaching Tips for children and Adults with Autism, Center for the study of Autism, Autism Research Institute 9. Groden, G & Baron, MG (1988) Autism: Strategies for change, New York: Gardner Press 10. HSU-Min Chian & Yueh-Hsien LIN (2007) Expressive communication of children with Autism, Journal of Autism and development disorder, Springer, Netherland 11. Jones, C & Schwartz, I (2008) when asking questions is not enough: An observational study of social communication differences in high functioning children with Autism, Journal of Autism and developmental disorder, Springer, Netherland. 12. Kaplan & Sadock’s (2007) Synopsis of Psychiatry: Behavioral Sciences/Clinical Psychiatry (10th Edition), Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 13. Kalb, R (2004) Multiple Sclerosis: The Questions you have: The answers you need (3rd Edition), New York: Demos medical publishing company. 14. Landreth, GL (2002) Play therapy, Rout ledge Publishers 15. National mental Health Information Center (2008), Bethesda, Maryland, accessed January 12, 2011 @ http.www.nimh.nih.gov 16. National Multiple Sclerosis (2008) Occupational therapy informational sourcebook, accessed January, 12, 2011 @ www.nationalmssociety.org 17. Nelson, A (2005) Going to the Speech therapist, Kids Health 18. Punwar, AJ & Peloquin, SM (2000), Occupational therapy: Principles and practices (3rd Edition, Lippincott William & Wilkins 19. WebMD (2008) Autism Spectrum Disorder, Health center-understanding Autism/symptoms 20. U.S Department of Health and Human Services (1999), Mental Health: A report of the Surgeon General, Rockville, MD: US. Department of health and human services 21. Rudy, L (2007) Terrific traits of Autistic people, Autism Guide, accessed January 12, 2011 @ http://autism.about.com 22. Ulman, E (1987) Variations on a Freudian theme: Three Art Therapy theorists, CRC Press 23. Urdang, E (2002) Human Behavior in the social environment: Interviewing the inner and outer world, the Haworth social work practice
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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