Autism Advocate Warns Against Gaps in Education System
By: Solomon Tetteh Nartey
Founder of Bright Steps International School and autism advocate, Grace Abbey Nkrumah has raised concerns over what she describes as a significant gap in Ghana’s education system, particularly in the provision of inclusive learning opportunities for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Speaking on Business Breakfast on ZED 101.9FM, Ms. Nkrumah stated that Ghana currently lacks adequate institutions equipped with the necessary resources to support children on the autism spectrum.
“There’s a huge gap in our educational system. We have very limited institutions with the right inclusive resources to manage children with autism. It is an issue that requires collective action, from government to NGOs and all stakeholders,” she said.
She emphasized that while Ghana has made strides in special education for conditions such as visual impairment, similar attention has not been given to autism.
According to her, she is yet to identify a public school effectively structured to support children with autism.
A major concern highlighted was the lack of teacher preparedness. Ms. Nkrumah noted that although the country has a large number of teachers, only a few are trained in the science of autism or equipped with the skills needed to teach children on the spectrum.
“How many teachers understand autism, or know how to structure their classrooms to support these children?” she questioned.
She explained that autism exists on different levels, ranging from mild to more complex cases and requires tailored interventions. However, she stressed that a large number of children fall within categories that can thrive in inclusive educational environments if given the right support.
“Many of these children are not aggressive and can interact with others. What they need is support; speech therapy, behavioural therapy and an environment that understands how they learn,” she said.
Ms. Nkrumah was quick to dispel common misconceptions, emphasizing that children with autism are capable of learning, albeit in different ways.
“Children with autism can learn. The way they learn may be different, but they can learn,” she affirmed.
She called for urgent investment in teacher training, curriculum adaptation, and inclusive infrastructure to ensure that children with autism are not left behind in Ghana’s educational system.
