Renowned clinical psychologist David Oludaye has provided valuable insight into Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), emphasising that it should not be viewed as a disability but rather as a unique neurological condition requiring deeper understanding and support.
Speaking on Jasiri, a talk show aired by News Central TV on Wednesday, Oludaye elaborated on the distinctions between Autism, Attention Deficit (AD), Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). He explained the varying degrees of Autism and the spectrum on which individuals may fall.
“A child can actually experience Autism at a mild level. It could be moderate, that’s like the medium, and it could be actually severe. You know, formerly, when we talk about the mild Autism, it used to be Asperger’s syndrome, where you talk about, you know, children who have a high IQ level, right? And you see them very, very, very good in certain areas,” he said.
He added that the uniqueness of the autistic brain often gives rise to exceptional abilities in specific areas, which is why the term “special needs” is used to describe children on the spectrum.
“So your brain is more of a specialised brain, and that is why the term special needs is adopted to describe children on the spectrum. You see that now? So it’s a specialised brain. So, Autism is not necessarily a disability. It is a different kind of ability.”
Oludaye also touched on prenatal influences, particularly the implications of unsafe medication during pregnancy. He highlighted how maternal health and medical treatment can have lasting effects on fetal brain development.
“Sometimes the woman at pregnancy might experience some, you know, sickness, and that can affect the development of the child. And don’t forget that when the child, the foetus in the womb, the brain is just forming at the time.
Even apart from the sickness itself, the treatment of the mother can actually affect, that is why you see there is restriction to the kind of medication that the pregnant woman can actually use, because these things interact with the development of the brain of the child and can impact them permanently.”
On the broader spectrum of neurodevelopmental conditions, he distinguished between various diagnoses, noting their similarities and differences.
“We have dyslexia, we have Autism, we have AD, AD, ADD, attention deficit disorder, ADHD is attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity.
So it means you can have attention disorder, and you are not hyperactive, you are not impulsive. People who are hyperactive, they can take turns, you know, so more like a child is in the classroom, for example, is having ADHD, is calm, and the teacher is wondering, this child is very calm. I don’t know why it’s not just coping in the classroom.”
Oludaye concluded by affirming that Autism has always existed globally—across continents, countries, and communities. However, he noted that in Nigeria, the challenge has primarily been a lack of awareness and proper advocacy surrounding the condition.
Watch the full interview below:
