By: Roberta Gayode Modin
Assistant lecturer at the Department of Special Education, University of Education, Winneba, Francis Kwame Anku has disclosed that mercury is considered a risk factor for autism.
According to Autism Speaks Organisation, autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication.
In Ghana, the Centre for Learning and Childhood Development reports that an estimated 38.7% of children under the age of 14 are affected by autism
Mr. Anku noted that there are no known causes of autism. However, it can be associated with environmental factors like exposure to mercury.
“There are studies that show that 74% of people with autism are as a result of mercury. As a result of mining gold with mercury, particles of mercury are contained in the water that is used for cooking and drinking”, Mr. Anku tells Thelma Tackie on the GTV Breakfast Show.
He called on parents to collaborate with professionals in the field of autism to support children with autism.
“Due to the diverse needs of children with autism, there is a need for parents to collaborate with professionals in terms of education or medicine so they can have physiotherapy, language therapy to help develop their abilities,” he concluded.
