Mrs. Rasheedat Olatunji, founder of Faizat Hope Foundation for Autism and Special Needs, says autism awareness must move beyond words and translate into action.
Olatunji made this statement in an interview with reporters in Lagos on Tuesday.
She stressed that families with children on the autism spectrum need support systems, not just sympathy, adding that autistic individuals deserve understanding and inclusion, not judgment.
“Autism is a developmental condition that affects communication, social interaction, behavior, and sensory processing. Every autistic individual is different, which is why support must be individualized,” she said.
“Caring for autistic individuals often requires patience, structured routines, appropriate therapies, inclusive education, and strong family and community support. Caregivers also need support because autism affects the entire family system,” Olatunji added.
She urged parents not to give up on their autistic children, emphasizing that early support matters because every autistic child has value, potential, and dignity.
Olatunji also called on policymakers and institutions to establish stronger systems for therapy access, caregiver support, and inclusive services.
She highlighted common challenges faced by families, including late diagnosis, limited access to early intervention, high therapy costs, social stigma, lack of inclusive education, and emotional and financial pressure on caregivers.
Her advocacy, she revealed, is rooted in her own experience as a mother raising an autistic child, noting 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.
