Autism in Haiti

Haitian earthquake survivor

Haiti, prior to the January 12th 2010 earthquake, had little to no resources for it's disabled persons. Most children with disabilities were given away or abandoned at the first sign of any abnormalities. Families do not have the resources to help these children and too often the disorders are not understood. Some Haitians can even believe disorders like Autism to be evil spirits inhabiting the bodies of the affected.

Di Allisandro Ricci -Geopolitica.com

Haiti had only one clinic that treated people with Autism. Chris Italia of Spectrum Magazine wrote, "There was a clinic in Los Palis, it wasn’t much, but it was the only place in Haiti where once a week children with developmental disabilities gather to receive treatment. “It’s not there anymore,” says Marco Hillien, brother of Bishop Simon-Pierre Saint Hillien, who is currently stationed in the Hinche region of Haiti. “Nothing’s there. Right now they are just trying to track all their patients. They are looking for all those who were suffering from various illnesses before the earthquake.” Hillien goes on to say that he felt they were making real strides over the past three years with the clinic. Now the most devastating earthquake in 200 years has wiped the clinic off the map.

Molly Hightower in Haiti

Molly Hightower, a 22 year old American woman, working with children with disabilities in Haiti was found dead January 15th. She was working with Friends of the Orphans helping to provide services for children with Autism, downs syndrome and related disabilities. She was one of only a few who helped enrich the lives of those who were abandoned because of their intellectual and genetic differences. The Autism community is praying that someone like Molly survived and they are looking after the disabled in Haiti.

No one can say this soon what will become of Haiti or it's disabled citizens. We can only hope that from devastation a new begining can emerge for all of the Haitians around the world.

For more info: Read Molly's Blog 525,600 How do You Measure a Year? See what you can do to help the victims of this catastrophe.