Rasheedat Olatunji, founder, Faizat Hope Foundation for Autism and Special Needs, a non-governmental organisation, says autism awareness must move beyond words into action.

Ms Olatunji said this in Lagos on Tuesday.

She said that families with children on the autism spectrum needed support systems and not sympathy alone, adding that autistic individuals deserved understanding and inclusion and not judgment.

“Autism is a developmental condition that affects communication, social interaction, behaviour, and sensory processing. Every autistic individual is different, which is why support must be individualised.

“Caring for autistic individuals often requires patience, understanding, structured routines, appropriate therapies, inclusive education, and strong family and community support. Caregivers also need support because autism affects not just the individual but the entire family system,” she said.

Ms Olatunji, however, pleaded with parents not to give up on their autistic children, noting that early support mattered.

According to her, this is because the autistic child has value, potential, and dignity.

She also said that policymakers and institutions needed to put in place stronger systems for therapy access, caregiver support, and inclusive services.

She listed challenges families with children on the autism spectrum faced, including late diagnosis, limited access to early intervention, high cost of therapy and developmental support.

She said others were social stigma/lack of public understanding, limited inclusive education opportunities, emotional and financial pressure on caregivers and lack of structured support systems for families.

She revealed that her advocacy was rooted in lived experience as a mother raising an autistic child, adding that her daughter’s journey inspired the founding of the NGO.

”But this work now represents the realities of many families who need support,” she said.

(NAN)