GTCO Set To Host 2023 Autism Conference

Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO) has said it will continue to create awareness and amplify the issues as it set to host the 2023 GTCO Autism Conference and follow-up consultations.
For Nigeria, this year’s edition themed: “Empowering Voices for Autism” is to promote inclusivity and self-advocacy for persons on the autism spectrum will hold on the 24th and 25th of July at the Muson Centre, Lagos, whilst the free one-on-one clinic will open from July 26th to 29th, at the Chapel of Light, Alausa, Ikeja.
For Ghana, the activities will begin with a workshop on the 1st of August at the University of Professional Studies, Accra, Ghana, and consultations will last from August 2nd to 5th at the same venue.
As an offshoot of the Orange Ribbon Initiative, the GTCO autism conference has grown to become a reference point for autism advocacy and intervention in Africa, providing support and empowerment to thousands of people with neurodevelopmental disorders.
With specialists and partner organisations within and outside Nigeria lined up, the conference will feature lectures, panel discussions, and performances carefully prepared to showcase the diverse talents that exist in the autism community whilst also creating a platform for persons with ASD and their families to connect and share ideas with subject-matter experts on different aspects of autism spectrum disorder including its nature and management.
Commenting on the 2023 GTCO Autism Conference, Group Chief Executive Officer of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc, Mr. Segun Agbaje, stated, “Society thrives when diverse individuals with their distinctive voices, perspectives, and cultures are welcomed and celebrated. It is therefore important that persons on the ASD spectrum are given the chance to succeed and empowered to experience life to its fullest.”
He further added: “We are excited about the evolving insights on the management of autism and remain committed to ensuring that more and more persons with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are able to find their voice and embrace their uniqueness whilst contributing meaningfully to society.”
One of the facilitators at the conference, who will be speaking from experience who also a voice actor and director, Remi Olutimayin, said that very often people with this condition do not have a voice. “We are explained as we suppose we should explain ourselves. It is a very scary place, and when you try to connect with other people, either you are too much or too little.
Olutimayin explained that he had to learn how to shrink himself to function. “I cannot explain the kind of shrink, but once I became aware of myself, that this is how my brain works, that there is nothing wrong with me, and that I can accept or reject myself, then a lot of things changed. I could anticipate my meltdown accurately, and I make sure they do not spill and disturb other people’s peace.”
“So my role in this programme is to speak on how I have been able to manoeuvre despite the challenge and to help others better understand people like myself,” he said.
One of the facilitators at the conference, who will be speaking from experience, a voice actor and director, Remi Olutimayin said Remi Olutimayin, said, very often people with this condition do not have a voice. “We are explained as suppose we should explain ourselves. It is a very scary place and when you try to connect with other people but is either you are too much or too little.
Olutimayin explained tha he had to learn how to shrink himself to function. ” I cannot explain the kind of shrink but once I became aware of myself, that this is how my brain works and there is nothing wrong with me, where I can accept or reject myself then a lot of things changed. I could anticipate my meltdown accurately and I make sure they do not spill and disturb others people peace.”
“So my role in this programme is to speak on how have been able to manoeuvre despite the challenge and able to help people better understand persons of myself,” he said.