The National Society for Autism- Nigeria (NASAN) says that while progress is being made in raising awareness about autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Nigeria, acceptance remains a challenge due to stigma.
The society’s president, Mrs Ronke Katagum, made this statement while speaking on Thursday in Abuja, in observance of World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) 2025.
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by repetitive, restricted, and inflexible patterns of behaviour, interests, activities, and difficulties in social interactions and communication.
Observed globally on April 2, the theme for WAAD 2025 is “Advancing Neurodiversity and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” aimed at highlighting the intersection between neurodiversity and global sustainability efforts.
The observance also showcases how inclusive policies and practices can drive positive change for autistic individuals worldwide and contribute to the achievement of the SDGs.
According to Katagum, while progress is being made, much work remains to ensure widespread understanding and acceptance of autism across all levels of society.
On the growing awareness in Nigeria, she attributed it largely to the emergence of centres offering parents more choices in where to send their children upon receiving an autism diagnosis.
She also highlighted that increased media coverage, documentaries, and advocacy campaigns had contributed to improved awareness in recent years.
“Schools and teachers are becoming more aware of ASD, but there is still a significant gap in integrating inclusive education practices,” she added.
Katagum, however, noted that awareness in rural areas remained relatively low.
She pointed to factors such as the urban-rural divide as a reason for the discrepancy.
“In urban areas, advocacy groups, NGOs, and health professionals actively promote education and awareness about ASD.
“In contrast, rural areas often lack access to information and services.”
She reported that in some communities, cultural misconceptions link autism to spirituality and supernatural causes, which hindered proper understanding and acceptance of the condition.
“Currently, the prevalence of ASD in Nigeria cannot be accurately determined due to limited research and diagnostic resources.
“However, global estimates from the World Health Organisation (WHO) suggest that approximately one in 100 children worldwide is affected by ASD.
“Studies in Nigeria have indicated a similar trend, though numbers may vary depending on the location of the study.
“Under-diagnosis, lack of awareness, and cultural factors influence the results.
“A 2019 study published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders estimated that about 1 in 125 children in some Nigerian communities may have ASD.
“Thus, while the prevalence might be comparable to global rates, the actual figures in Nigeria could be lower due to underdiagnosis,” Katagum said.
Katagum identified many challenges in managing ASD in Nigeria.
She noted the scarcity of diagnostic facilities, with only a few specialised centres equipped to diagnose and manage autism, particularly outside major cities.
“There is a shortage of psychologists, therapists, special educators, and pediatricians trained in autism care.
“Therapies such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), speech therapy, and occupational therapy are expensive and often unaffordable for many families,” she explained.
She also discussed the issue of stigma and discrimination, where families face social isolation, ridicule, and exclusion due to misconceptions about autism.
Katagum emphasised the need for increased government support, noting that the development of policies and funding for autism-specific services would significantly help families in need.
According to her, this situation causes families who cannot afford the care to abandon their children to fate.
She further pointed out educational barriers, noting that most schools lacked the necessary infrastructure and staff to accommodate children with autism, resulting in high dropout rates.
“Additionally, cultural interpretations of autism often delay proper diagnosis and intervention.”
NAN
