Rama insulted children on the autistic spectrum/ Psychology Sinani for CNA: Do not misuse terms for personal purposes!

2025-04-23 09:25:00, Aktualitet CNA

Rama insulted children on the autistic spectrum/ Psychology Sinani for CNA: Do

Prime Minister Edi Rama, during an electoral meeting on Tuesday, insulted people with special abilities, while using the term "politically autistic." Clinical psychologist, Lumturi Sinani, in a reaction to CNA, expressed her indignation at the way terms related to mental health are abused.

Sinani emphasized that we expect senior state figures to be supportive of people with special abilities and not to abuse terms to achieve their own goals.

" It is unfortunate that in our Albanian society, terms related to mental health are abused. No one has the right to label or evaluate a person, a group of people, whether they suffer from autism or not. This belongs to the relevant institutions and mental health professionals. Autistic people are unique and have many abilities, where with the right support they achieve their independence. We expect that governments, high-ranking state figures, will be supportive of them and not abuse this term to achieve their goals. It is unacceptable to misuse mental health terms to gain or achieve what you want. No one has this right. As a mental health professional, I am indignant when I hear such statements or labels. Because this is like a second blow to the individuals who carry this, but also to their families ," said the psychologist.

Rama insulted children on the autistic spectrum/ Psychology Sinani for CNA: Do

Psychologist Lumturi Sinani added that the focus should be placed on the assistance that the government has provided for children with disabilities and that there should be as many awareness campaigns as possible.

" The government is seen as an institution that comes to the aid of our society in every aspect. But how much help have children suffering from autism received? Do these children have assistant teachers in schools? Are their families supported? These points and others certainly need to be discussed and evaluated. Awareness campaigns for the population as much as possible are necessary.

"While our most important task as a society is to make these children feel accepted and wanted. To give them the love and dedication they deserve. Involving them in activities, accepting them in inclusive environments would be a great help to them ," said the psychologist.

In conclusion, Sinani said that high-ranking figures are the first to give the right messages, as society is easily influenced by their discourse.

" Hearing these statements from state governors "kills the ear" because their voice is heard by everyone. We claim that they are examples for young people and children for a better future for our country. How do we expect society or mentality to develop when the governors themselves are not a help. Our society is easily influenced, especially by high-ranking and positional figures, therefore great care must be taken with labels, misused terms and messages that are conveyed ," said the psychologist.

We recall that Prime Minister Edi Rama himself made a "Mea Culpa" on Tuesday after the statement, saying that he used the wrong term, while admitting that he had violated autistic children and hurt their parents./ CNA