Govt urged to build more schools for children with Autism

The government has been urged to build schools for children with autism in all wards across the country.

Speaking on Wednesday at Buruburu 1 Primary School in Nairobi, officials from Autism Lights, an organization that advocates for families affected by autism, said they had written to county assemblies calling for support in the establishment of the special schools.

In support of the autism awareness in the country, the officials conducted a free training session for parents and teachers at Buruburu 1 Primary School in conjunction with Embakasi West MP George Theuri.

Buruburu 1 Primary School has four classes and three teachers serving 27 pupils — 25 boys and 2 girls — with autism.

Umoja Foundation Chair and Autism Lights Kenyan Coordinator Chege Wamaratu urged all Kenyans of good will to help end the stigma and support those affected by autism.

“We believe that the more we speak about autism the more we delete the stigma, the stigma is so bad outside there and this is one of the initiatives we have bills we have pushed to the county assemblies… We would like to have autism schools in all wards,” said Mr. Chege.

During the session, the affected children were given free therapy and parents advised on ways to take care of those affected.