Autism Spectrum Disorders in Algeria: A Critical Level of Awareness Is Needed

Is it a gift, a talent, a disorder, a disability, a shortage, or a curse? This question used to travel through my head whenever I heard the concept of Autism Spectrum Disorders. ASD is usually “linked to intelligence, level of adaptive functioning, and number of autistic symptoms rather than to the presence of distinct symptoms” (Hollander & Nowinski, 2003, p.17). Some authors tend to describe autism as a developmental disability (Mohammed Salman, 2014) whereas others tend to depict it as a social and communicational inability followed by severe language disorders (Kanner, 1943). Hence, it can be said that people with autism experience and suffer from social interaction dilemmas and communication hindrances. Their physical interactions are not the best, as they may turn around themselves, clap their hands, hit their heads, etc. continuously and it can last for hours. There are different disorders that fall under the umbrella term Autism Spectrum Disorders including Autistic Disorder, Asperger Syndrome, Rett’s Syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS), and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD).

Since the discovery of Autism in 1943, various researchers started digging deeper into the many lineaments that can characterise people with autism. The more they learn, detect and reveal about this mysterious developmental enigma, the wider this disorder’s varying characteristics and subcategories become. In this perspective, many disorders have been discovered in relation to the general concept of Autism Disorder Spectrum. As already mentioned, there are several types that belong to the ASD family which are as follows: 

1- Autistic Disorder: “A severe developmental disorder known popularly as autism that affects a person’s ability to communicate, form relationships with others, and respond appropriately to the environment” (Turkington &  Anan, 2007, p.29).

2- Rett's Disorder: “This rare neurological disorder occurs in girls, who show normal development before regressing. The initial symptoms include some that are associated with autism” (Turkington & Anan, 2007, p.145).

3- Asperger's Disorder: “A condition characterized by sustained problems with social interactions and social relatedness, and the development of restricted, repetitive patterns of interests, activities, and behaviors” (Turkington &  Anan, 2007, p.9).

4- Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS): “A type of Autism Spectrum Disorder characterized by significantly impaired social interactions or stereotyped behaviors without all of the features of autism or Asperger's Syndrome” (Turkington &  Anan, 2007, P.123).

5- Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD): “A rare yet serious condition in which a child older than age three stops developing normally and regresses to a much lower level of functioning, typically after a serious illness, such as an infection of the brain and nervous system” (Turkington &  Anan, 2007, p.51).

Being separated from schizophrenia in the 1940’s, autism started to take a new departure in the word of developmental disorders. However, this was not the case in the Arab world in general and Algeria in particular as this kind of disorders has usually been related to either evil eyes or curses. This religiously based view has conquered the Arabs’ mindset for a long time which has led them to think that the ASD can be cured and remedied by utilising some traditional spiritual dependent practices. Accordingly, any child with ASD in our society suffers from refusal and complaints because of being differently gifted. Generally, schools in Algeria and nurseries reject autistic learners claiming that their special case can cause many problems and affect other children negatively (Autism in Algeria, 2016). Almost one hundred thousand Algerian autistic children are not being taken into consideration neither by the society nor by the educational system as there are only few associations and private schools that can be counted using one’s fingers. This negligence is so infuriating and provocative as this strange and inferior look towards autistic people cannot be accepted since they are human beings who need care and schooling as well in order to develop themselves and have a living in this politically and economically unfair cosmos. 

Schools in Algeria are public except for few ones which are private and that exist only in the big cities such as Algiers, Oran, etc. We have got only few associations for autism in Algeria which depicts the serious and sorrowful situation making their destiny obscure and unknown. The story does not stop here as people are not really aware of the existence of ASD and its several types in which they refer to kids with autism as mental disable people. Living in such an ungrateful community can lead to some psychological problems for both the child and his/her family since the bizarre and questionable look of the surrounding will not comfort the talented different sight of autistic people. In addition to their fear of socialization and gatherings, others’ comments and unacceptable questions increase their level of apprehension and trepidation, probably leading to uncontrolled behaviour problems and temper tantrums.

ASD in our context is viewed as mental retardation, madness, or dementia instead of a developmental disorder that hinders their communication, social and interactional abilities. Lack of awareness towards ASD and its types is a real issue that should be addressed by the government because this inadvertence and inattentiveness are not to be tolerated anymore. It is true that teaching children with ASD is a challenging task that requires a lot of efforts but the final results are quite satisfactory and rewarding.  Seeing these autistic learners flourishing and shining should the purpose of every individual. As final words, there is not a specific cure that can transform these autistic children from individual with different communication and social issues into normal people. Nonetheless, studies have not stopped as many people believe that one day we will find the final medication that can solve all the problems of people with ASD. While waiting for the cure, we should all collaborate to help them have a normal rewarding life where they can dream, play, and pursue their aims.