Ike Ogbuebile, the CEO of AutismAlly and organizer of the UpLyft Awards, is asking people to stop treating autism as something shameful—especially in African communities. He clearly said, “Autism is not a curse.”
Speaking from his work in both the U.S. and Africa, Ogbuebile explained that many people still misunderstand autism. Autism affects how people communicate, behave, and relate to others. He shared a fact from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showing that 1 in every 31 children is diagnosed with autism. This shows it is a worldwide issue.
Even though more people are learning about autism around the world, Ogbuebile said many African families still face shame and confusion. “In both cities and villages, children with autism are often kept at home and not allowed to go to school. Some are wrongly believed to be cursed or taken to spiritual healers for rituals.”
He stressed that autism is a brain condition, not a spiritual problem. “People with autism see the world differently, but they are just as valuable as anyone else. We need to stop treating autism like a weakness and start seeing the strengths in each child,” he said.
Ogbuebile shared stories from his groups, AutismAlly and The UpLyft Group. He talked about children who began expressing themselves through music, teens with vision problems learning to code or produce Afrobeat music, and parents who found hope in supportive communities.
He also spoke about how early support is very important. He mentioned Renoxx Caregivers Inc., a partner in Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. “They offer home and community care that respects and supports families,” he said.
Ogbuebile called for better language and understanding. He quoted Autism Speaks, saying, “Autism is not a tragedy, ignorance is.” He said we need to build spaces where people with autism can grow, dream, and be accepted as they are.
Through the UpLyft programs and the BNS podcast, his team gives advice, education, and support to parents, caregivers, and teachers. He invited others to work with AutismAlly to create welcoming spaces and strong communities.
“Every child should be seen and accepted,” he said. “Let’s replace myths with truth, and fear with kindness. Autism is not a curse—it’s part of what makes us human.”
