This archive report was first published on 6 July 2019.
On July 6, 2019, the Garissa County Assembly made history by unanimously passing the Autism Education motion, a move that will significantly improve the lives of children with autism in the region.
According to MCA Hussein Dagane, who moved the motion, the bill was long overdue, given the rising cases of autism in the county and the urgent need to address the condition.
With the current statistics of autism cases in Kenya estimated at about 1 in every 40 children, early intervention is crucial, especially in Early Childhood Development Centres, where evidence-based supports such as Applied Behaviour Analysis can significantly improve outcomes and reduce the strain on families.
Autism Lights Inc, a nonprofit organization, played a key role in the passage of the motion after a retreat with the MCAs to create autism awareness. The organization has also advocated for Autism Acceptance and Inclusion, providing training to parents, teachers, and healthcare professionals on evidence-based interventions for autism.
The Autism Education motion is a significant step towards ensuring effective and accessible education for children with autism in Kenya. Autism Lights Inc now calls on other counties to follow suit and pass similar motions to create a sustainable format for autism education in the country.
