Edition #4 | Autism – An African Perspective

Edition#4: Autism – An African Perspective

Autism is increasingly prevalent in Africa, yet the continent faces significant barriers to diagnosis and treatment. Challenges such as a shortage of specialized healthcare professionals, limited resources and lack of awareness among healthcare providers, and cultural stigma surrounding mental health and developmental disorders have left many families without the support they need.

Since the launch of my book Autistic: Leaping Over Walls While Living with Autism, I have engaged with numerous African families, many of whom are Nigerians and recently, I was approached to draft a proposal for establishing a specialized training centre for young autistic adults in Nigeria. While conducting research for this proposal, I discovered that the number of autistic children and young adults in Nigeria are steadily rising. This increase is largely due to limited awareness, inadequate professional care, inefficient & delayed assessments, and a lack of accurate diagnoses.

Over the summer, a family friend visiting from Nigeria witnessed first hand how my son, Joshua, is loved, respected, and supported in his journey toward independence. He observed Joshua’s participation in social activities and his flourishing confidence. This deeply moved him, as he admitted such practices are rare in many Nigerian homes. He explained that in Nigeria, autism and other disabilities are often misunderstood, frequently attributed to “hexes” or “spells” cast by witches. As a result, many children are hidden away or subjected to “deliverance” rituals rather than receiving appropriate care and support. 

To challenge these misconceptions, I gave him a copy of my book, which chronicles our family’s journey with Joshua from his diagnosis at age five to his development into a thriving young adult. The book highlights the interventions, therapies, determination, faith, and love that has shaped Joshua’s progress. After reading it, our friend expressed both humility and shame, acknowledging how denial, stigma, and misinformation continues to perpetuate a lack of empathy and ostracization of autistic individuals in many communities.

What if I had also chosen the path of denial and inaction?

Today, Joshua has not only completed his independent living course from a specialist college but also attends a skills training centre.  

In November 2024, Joshua and I were honoured to serve as keynote speakers in the United States at the annual gala of My Goal: Celebrating Talent in Neurodiversity. I shared our lived experiences, and Joshua showcased his musical talents on the keyboard.