Mrs Angel Bertino, the Director of Liztino Centre for children with special needs, has admonished parents to engage their autistic children in physical activity to develop their brains.

She said parents should never lock-up such children in their rooms, because they could be useful when supported and cared for properly.

Autism, a serious developmental disorder that impairs the ability to communicate and interact, is a huge health concern especially among children across the globe.

The effect of the disorder impacts largely on the development of children and often prevents them from having a normal playful child life as compared with normal children.

Particularly in Ghana especially in the rural areas, such children are labelled  outcasts and many of their age mates do not want to associate  with them.

That has largely impacted negatively on the development of autistic children and hampered their ability to fit into society as they are usually considered to be liabilities rather than assets.

However, 14-year-old Phil Bertino has changed the narrative as he has defied all odds to live a normal life and gradually become an “Ambassador of Autism” in the country.

Born autistic and unable to speak and relate properly like other growing babies, young Phil following an exceptional support from his mother, Mrs Angel Bertino, could now relate and live an independent life.

The young lad who is near 100 per cent recovery, has become a cycling sensation, plays the piano, tennis, basketball, attends a regular school and living his life to the fullest.

Globally, April is celebrated as the World Autism Month under the auspices of the United Nations.

In view of this, young Phil, with the support of  his mother, held series of campaigns across the country to raise the awareness on autism.

Mrs Bertino told “The Spectator” that, his ward had survived autism and was doing amazing things as a child and urged parents to bring out their children as they could live a normal life as any other normal children.

“It started with realising his interest in the sport and got him into cycling along with research on managing autistic children and can boldly say he is almost 100 per cent recovery,” she stated, stressing that he could now read and do almost everything as his peers.

She urged parents with autistic children to bring them out and get them to engage in physical activities as it would develop their brains and help them to recover.

 “We need to understand the children , accept them as they are and help them overcome what they are going through now. Government and other stakeholders must go beyond just policies on paper and do more to support children with autism,” she stressed.

By Michael D. Abayateye