Kazaliou Baldé’s parents started worrying about him when he was a small child because he avoided eye contact and had difficulty communicating.
News
His family, who live in the village of Fria in Guinea, at first turned to a traditional healer who suggested protective amulets.
But when he dragged himself along the ground instead of walking, they decided to take him to a hospital in the capital, Conakry.
There he was diagnosed with autism, something the family had not heard of before.
Details
With the disorder widely misunderstood in Guinea, neighbours were rude to him with some even suggesting that his parents take him to the bush and leave him there.
“Those words really hurt me a lot. Even so, I took him with me when I sold at the market. It was hard because he had trouble sitting still,” said his mother Kadiatou Diallo.
The complex developmental condition now known as autism spectrum disorder, affects people in different ways, including delays in learning or social skills.
Analysis
With little information and government support available, misconceptions are common around the disorder which some mistakenly attribute to evil spirits.
Experts say this has often delayed diagnosis and resulted in children and their families being stimatised.
“People talk about him a lot [in a negative way]. Since my husband passed away, I’ve been taking care of my child. Before he died, he used to help me,” said Diallo.
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