News

GUBA Foundation host event to raise autism awareness in African communities

11:21am Monday 29th April 2013 in News

Knox Daniel with his 8-year-old autistic son Joshua Beckford, George Ameyaw and Dentaa Amoateng, the founder of the GUBA foundation

More than 200 people attended an event to raise awareness of autism in Tottenham’s African community.

The GUBA Foundation, a Ghanaian organisation which supports those caring for people with the developmental disability, hosted the event at Bernie Grants Art Centre on Saturday April 27.

Kirsty Osei-Bempong, 34, the foundation’s press officer, said there is a lot of stigma around the condition with the African communities.

She said: “A lot of people don’t really understand what autism is and many think it they have it because of something they have done.

“We are trying to demystify it and dispel the superstitions.

“We want people to seek professional help rather than blame themselves for what happened.”

Behavioural and financial experts spoke at the charity’s inaugural event giving advice on accessing finance and harnessing therapeutic resources and respite care.

Although he was unable to attend the Tottenham MP David Lammy endorsed the foundation’s work.

In a statement he said: “I wholeheartedly support the work that is being done to ensure that families are able to look to their community for support when tackling the everyday challenges of dealing with Autism.

For more information on dealing with autism please visit: www.gubafoundation.org or call 07825397131.