On World Autism Awareness Day, significant concerns have arisen over the challenges encountered by families of children with autism in Nigeria.
The biggest concerns are the exorbitant cost of care, inadequate access to services, and insufficient enforcement of disability rights, which exacerbate their burden, according to The Guardian.
Autism care is predominantly unaffordable for several homes, with therapy becoming the foundation of management.
Children on the spectrum generally necessitate a blend of speech therapy, occupational therapy, and behavioral therapy, frequently administered over prolonged durations.
At the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), the cost of speech treatment is projected to range from N12,000 to N15,000 for a six-week session, and behavioral and occupational therapies are priced between N10,000 and N12,000 per for the same duration.
Due to weekly sessions, families are required to pay individually for each type of therapy, so substantially elevating the total financial load.
In addition to treatment expenses, access to these treatments continues to be a significant obstacle. Numerous families, especially those residing in peri-urban and rural areas, are required to traverse considerable distances to reach specialized centers situated in urban centers like Lagos.
For example, caregivers from peripheral regions, like as Ikorodu, frequently traverse the state to access services in locations like Idi-Araba or Ikeja, where the majority of experts are situated. This difficulty is exacerbated by the escalating cost of transportation, prompted by successive nationwide hikes in petroleum prices, further constraining already constrained household incomes.
The financial burden is especially acute for families with several children on the spectrum, as autism is a chronic developmental disorder requiring ongoing attention.
In numerous instances, parents, particularly mothers, are compelled to limit their working hours or resign from their positions totally to deliver continuous care, resulting in revenue loss and increased financial precariousness.
The inadequate integration of autism services into primary healthcare exacerbates these issues, compelling families to depend on already overstretched tertiary facilities.
The lack of proximate therapists in community health centers results in delays in early diagnosis and intervention, which are essential for enhancing long-term outcomes.
The legal protections for individuals with disabilities continue to be ineffective in practice. Nigeria’s Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act was established to protect the rights of those with disabilities; nevertheless, stakeholders are expressing concerns regarding the sluggish and inconsistent enforcement of the legislation. They stated that deficiencies in execution, inadequate funding for pertinent agencies, and insufficient public knowledge persistently diminish its efficacy, resulting in numerous families being vulnerable to discrimination in housing, education, and social inclusion.
Observed annually on April 2nd, the 2026 World Autism Awareness Day, themed ‘Autism and Humanity – Every Life Has Value’, emphasizes the dignity, rights, and intrinsic worth of all autistic individuals, promoting their inclusion in education, employment, and healthcare.
Stakeholders are urging heightened awareness to diminish stigma and promoting a comprehensive approach to autism management that encompasses nutrition, education, and overall well-being.
Alongside therapy, they assert that nutrition has become a vital, but frequently neglected, aspect of autism management.
While nutrition does neither cause or cure autism spectrum disorder (ASD), scientists have observed that it significantly supports improved outcomes. They assert that dietary patterns can affect brain function, behavior, attention span, energy levels, immunity, and the overall well-being of children on the spectrum.
Autism, or ASD, denotes a collection of problems associated with brain development. It is marked by varied levels of difficulty in social interaction and communication, and while symptoms may manifest in early childhood, diagnosis is frequently postponed.
Approximately 62 million individuals worldwide, or one in 127, are believed to be on the autism spectrum.
The World Health Organization states that although awareness and diagnosis have advanced in recent years, the precise causes of autism remain ambiguous, with several variables thought to contribute.
The FDA emphasizes that there is no definitive scientific evidence connecting autism to paracetamol usage during pregnancy or to childhood vaccinations, despite ongoing beliefs.
Mrs. Joko Omotola, National President of the Association for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities of Nigeria, expressed concerns regarding pervasive stigma and restricted access to vital services for those with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in Nigeria.
In a chat with our correspondent, Omotola elucidated that numerous parents continue to conceal their children at home owing to stigma; nevertheless, heightened awareness efforts are progressively motivating some parents to seek assistance, particularly through support groups and non-governmental organizations.
Omotola emphasized that autism frequently remains undetected in early childhood, especially in bustling households where parents may not promptly recognize developmental impairments.
She elucidated that indicators generally become more evident when children do not achieve developmental milestones by approximately two years of age.
She characterized autism as a chronic disorder, noting that persistent early intervention might mitigate the severity of symptoms over time, although it does not eradicate the condition.
She asserts that early diagnosis is essential, as it facilitates prompt intervention via therapeutic programs, which can markedly enhance a child’s communication, behavior, and social interaction.
Omotola recognized access to therapy as a significant obstacle, observing that services such as speech, occupational, and behavioral therapy are both limited and costly.
She elucidated that some families are compelled to traverse considerable distances to obtain care, as such facilities are predominantly situated in select urban centers.
She additionally revealed that therapy charges might amount to tens of thousands of naira within a few weeks, without including transportation costs, rendering it unaffordable for some families.
Regarding education, Omotola expressed concern that although some children with autism may be admitted to schools, they frequently do not receive substantial educational opportunities.
She elucidated that numerous educational institutions lack the requisite assistive technologies, qualified staff, or customized pedagogical strategies essential for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
She asserts that inclusive classrooms are often congested, with educators lacking specialized training to assist students with varied learning requirements.
She observed that, in certain instances, children remain in school for years without attaining fundamental abilities, attributable to the lack of planned, individualized education plans.
She stated that private schools providing specialized help are frequently exorbitantly priced, necessitating parents to incur supplementary payments for customized teaching in addition to ordinary tuition.
Omotola urged the government to prioritize healthcare access by incorporating autism-related therapy into health insurance plans. She underscored that providing therapy services at primary healthcare centers will substantially alleviate the load on families.
She also championed reforms in the education sector, encompassing the implementation of specialized curricula, educator training, and the provision of assisted learning resources. Furthermore, she implored the government to enhance social protection mechanisms, encompassing welfare assistance for families caring for children with impairments.
Omotola emphasized the necessity for ongoing public education to address stigma and foster inclusiveness, arguing that just awareness is insufficient.
Despite recognizing the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, she stated that enforcement is deficient due to insufficient budget and implementation shortcomings.
She urged authorities to transition from policy conversations to tangible actions, emphasizing that individuals with autism merit dignity, inclusion, and equal opportunity across all societal dimensions.
Kelechi Onah, a mother, informed our reporter that her child, diagnosed with autism at four years old, necessitates constant care, imposing a considerable financial burden on her.
Onah, a former banker, stated that she was compelled to resign from her position two years ago due to a diagnosis requiring her to care for her child, noting that her husband departed from the marriage immediately thereafter.
An Ikorodu resident stated that her predicament exemplifies a wider socio-economic challenge encountered by numerous families, noting that the exorbitant cost of care, coupled with the necessity for continuous supervision, complicates the ability of single parents to sustain stable employment.
Onah condemned ongoing discrimination in housing and education, claiming that families with children with disabilities are occasionally marginalized or coerced to leave their residences or remove their children from schools, exacerbating their difficulties.
Odukoya Fiyinfoluwa, a Clinical Nutritionist and digital health entrepreneur known as YourDietBoy, emphasized that the dietary choices of children with autism profoundly influence their everyday functioning.
He asserts that diet affects cognitive function, energy levels, behavior, attention span, gastrointestinal health, immunity, and general wellness.
In conversation with our correspondent, Fiyinfoluwa said that numerous children with autism encounter dietary challenges, frequently restricting the diversity and quality of their diets.
Based on his expertise in pediatrics, he stated that such restrictions can, over time, diminish nutrient intake and exacerbate symptoms, resulting in poor focus, irritability, low energy levels, and heightened vulnerability to sickness.
The nutritionist stated that recent studies are investigating the connection between gut health and behavior, highlighting that some children with autism suffer from gastrointestinal problems such constipation, bloating, and diarrhea, which may subsequently influence their mood and comfort.
He asserted that, notwithstanding these associations, diet ought to be regarded solely as an auxiliary instrument to enhance quality of life.
He stated that feeding troubles are prevalent among children with autism, both in Nigeria and worldwide, with severe food selectivity and sensory sensitivity being among the most common issues. He elucidated that certain children ingest less than ten varieties of food, frequently selecting products that are analogous in color, texture, or flavor.
He asserts that these issues are especially pronounced in the Nigerian environment, where traditional meals frequently amalgamate various textures, potentially overloading youngsters with sensory sensitivity.
He cautioned that caretakers can misconstrue such behaviors as obstinacy or inadequate discipline, when in fact they are developmental and sensory-related, rather than deliberate.
Fiyinfoluwa further disclosed a distinct pattern of nutrient shortages in children with autism, particularly in Nigeria. He enumerated prevalent deficiencies, including protein from the exclusion of meat, fish, eggs, and legumes; iron, which impacts energy levels, immunity, and cognitive function; calcium, especially in youngsters who eschew dairy; and vitamin D.
He noted that inadequate fiber consumption is prevalent due to the aversion to vegetables, which exacerbates constipation.
The dietitian cautioned against unwarranted dietary limitations based on misinformation, noting that such practices could exacerbate nutrient deficiencies if not adequately handled.
He advocated for a systematic and personalized nutritional strategy customized for each child. He recognized feeding therapy as a crucial approach to assist children in progressively accepting new meals and alleviating anxiety related to eating, therefore enhancing their well-being.
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