Family Health:  A day in the life of a mother with an autistic child

Defined as a serious developmental disorder that impairs the ability of a child to communicate and interact, conditions and needs of autistic children have impacts on both the children and the family members who have crucial roles in raising the child. 

At the early hours of July 8, 2024, 35-years-old Solange Nkengfack,  a mother to a autistic child is seen changing the diapers of her 7-year-old daughter. She carefully places her on a chair afterwards, as she gets ready to recount her experiences as a parent to an autistic child.

“My baby was born normally like every other child. It was not until she turned one that I started noticing certain abnormalities about her. She had started creeping but stop at some point. She was not behaving like other children of her age. For instance she could not stand as her legs were weak,” Mrs. Nkengfack lamented.

Solange continued by saying that she was sure it was just a matter of cultural or language differences that made her younger child different from her peers. Time went on an nothing changed. It was at this point that Angel’s parents rushed her to the hospital, where doctors declared her an autistic child. Solange and her husband had never heard this illness  before. When she realized there was no cure for her daughter, she sank into a deep depression. She  however had to accept the reality.

Life for this family has not been the same since then.  They face numerous challenges varying from finance, rejection, oppression and depression. “Taking care of Angel is the most difficult challenge I have in life. Imaging taking her to the hospital every month for medical follow up. We haven’t been able to acquire any meaningful achievement in life because all our savings go to the hospital. She doesn’t eat what we eat, making her feeding difficult. Her school fees is very expensive, not to talk of other little expenses like buying of diapers,” the mother of two further explained.

In school,  Mrs. Solange is the beautiful, smiling and talented teacher,  but  what most people do not know is that a she struggles almost daily against the depression and stigma that comes with being the mother of a severely handicapped daughter.

Though she does not feel reluctant to admit having a child with disabilities, she is not comfortable with the idea  that most people regard her child  as being a disgrace to them and bringing misfortune upon their family. Despite public opinions, she has vowed to show her child endless love, as she hopes for God’s miracle someday.

It is worth noting that 7_year-old Angel can not do anything on her own. She wears diapers, she does not talk and she cannot stand on her feet. Her parents hold her hands and train her how to walk once in a while, among other efforts, with the hope of an improvement in her situation.

According to Mrs. Manuela Mekountchou, Directrice du Cabinet de Réhabilitation et d’Education Précoce Spécialisée (CREPS), translated as Director of the Specialised Early Education and Rehabilitation Clinic, autism maybe  caused by certain genetic conditions,  low birthweight and pregnancy complications. She however notes that the exact cause of the diseases is yet to be established. Signs and symptoms of autism among others include; inappropriate social interaction, poor eye contact, compulsive behaviour, impulsivity, repetitive movements, self-harm, or persistent repetition of words or actions.

Mrs. Manuela Mekountchou notes that autism cannot be treated but can be improved upon with  repeated  practices with a autistic child. The earlier autism is detected in a child,  the better! This is because the child can easily be treated than a child in an advanced state.

Ingrid Kengne