Kenya: Meet the Mothers of Autism Care

The state of Autism in Kenya made significant steps forward this year with two groundbreaking reports revealing the current state of care and institutional inclusion gaps. Drafted by the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD), the major takeaways highlight disparities in data collection and the lack of implementation despite policy.

Meet the force whose efforts culminated in the origination of NCPD. Rosemary, a single mother of two sons living in Nairobi, began seeing the signs of autism in her son Andrew when he was born. Hustling at a full-time job while raising her boys, Rosemary’s mom, Felicity, came to support the family and learn as much as she could about autism.

The goal was to provide Andrew with the love and affection that he deserved. As they immersed themselves into his world, they realized there was no infrastructure to support the comprehensive care that he needed.

This fueled Rosemary and her mom to create systems to support Andrew and the larger autistic community in Kenya. In 2003, they launched the Autism Society of Kenya, working for awareness and infrastructure to create a brighter future for every individual with autism. They have worked with intragovernmental agencies, international corporations and foundations, and the Kenyan government, resulting in new agencies, new educational curriculums, new schools, and less stigma.

Based on the reports launched this year, their work just tipped the scales. The first ever funding for autism and other developmental disorders was awarded by the government of Kenya and it’s now time for sustainable implementation.

Coined as the Mothers of autism care in Kenya, Rosemary and her mother are ready for this new stage.

The Global Autism Coalition is proud to work in partnership with Rosemary and the Autism Society of Kenya.