By Sitha Maliwa
Afrika Tikkun is set to partner with the inaugural Autism in Africa Conference, taking place on April 9-10, 2025, at The Garden Venue in Johannesburg. This groundbreaking event aims to unite diverse stakeholders to explore Afrocentric solutions to autism and neurodiversity, while challenging prevailing Western narratives surrounding the disorder.
An estimated two to three million children and young people with autism across sub-Saharan Africa encounter significant challenges, including limited early diagnosis, insufficient interventions, and societal stigma. The conference presents a vital opportunity to address these pressing needs in a culturally sensitive and inclusive manner.
Lana Roy, the Disability Inclusion Lead at Afrika Tikkun, emphasises the real issues that neurodiverse children and youth face within under-resourced communities. She observes that many of these young individuals remain undiagnosed and without appropriate interventions, often encountering misunderstanding from those around them. The Autism in Africa Conference aims to rectify this situation by fostering a deeper understanding of autism from an African perspective and crafting locally relevant solutions that resonate with the continent’s unique cultural, social, and economic contexts.
“We see firsthand the barriers that neurodiverse children and youth face in under-resourced communities. Many of these young people go undiagnosed, without appropriate interventions and are often misunderstood,” says Roy.
The conference seeks to raise awareness of autism and catalyse action by establishing the African Association of Neurodiversity (AAN), a pivotal body designed to unite African countries on issues related to neurodiversity. Additionally, it will launch the African Journal of Neurodiversity, providing a crucial platform for African research and perspectives on autism.
Promoting collaborative research across Africa will be a key focus, encouraging knowledge sharing and collective solutions for neurodiversity. A significant aspect of the conference will be dedicated to creating employment pathways for neurodivergent youth, addressing the alarmingly low employment rates among adults with autism globally.
Support for families and healthcare workers will also be prioritised, providing resources and training to better equip both families and professionals in meeting the needs of neurodiverse individuals. The conference aspires to build a sustainable network that fosters ongoing collaboration across the continent, ensuring a long-term commitment to addressing neurodiversity.
Roy asserts that the conference aims to centre African perspectives, challenging Western-centric autism interventions and advocating for solutions that are deeply rooted in local contexts. She notes that factors such as healthcare access, educational resources, and cultural perceptions of disability significantly shape the experiences of autism in Africa, underscoring the need for a context-specific approach.
Furthermore, the conference aligns with the United Nations’ vision for World Autism Awareness Day. In 2025, the global conversation surrounding autism will evolve from mere awareness to meaningful inclusion and empowerment. Roy highlights that by emphasising policies focused on neurodiversity, the conference will illustrate how these efforts benefit not only individuals with autism but also contribute to building more equitable societies overall.
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) emphasise the necessity of inclusive practices in fostering a fairer, more sustainable world. The Autism in Africa Conference aims to address the substantial employment gap for neurodivergent individuals, as only 16% of adults with autism are in full-time work, with even fewer opportunities available in Africa. Roy stresses that the conference seeks to create genuine pathways for independent living and employment for neurodivergent youth.
Afrika Tikkun’s involvement in the conference is particularly noteworthy. With over 30 years of experience in community development, the organization has provided education, health, and social services to disadvantaged communities throughout South Africa. Their Cradle-to-Career model, which supports children and youth from early childhood through to career readiness, aligns seamlessly with the conference’s objectives. Roy concludes by asserting that, through this collaboration, the initiative seeks to ensure that no child is left behind, highlighting the crucial importance of inclusive efforts in creating a brighter future for all individuals affected by autism in Africa.- @NewsSA_Online