Nanyuki: It's a sigh of relief for parents raising autistic children following the launch of a state-of-the-art autistic centre in Nanyuki, Laikipia County. The facility, which is one of its kind in the Mount Kenya region, is expected to cater to the needs of autistic children, including speech therapy, orthopedic therapy, and a sensory unit, among others, aimed at ensuring they live a productive and healthy life.
According to Kenya News Agency, Tumaini St. Thorlak Autism Centre, which was launched on Monday by Nyeri Diocese Bishop Anthony Muheria, is funded by well-wishers and other partners. The facility is domiciled at Huruma Consolata Hospital. Bishop Muheria highlighted the importance of supporting children who are abled differently and expressed gratitude for the generosity of Christians and local benefactors who contributed to the establishment of the centre.
Muheria noted that autism is becoming more common in the country, causing parents to despair due to the lack of support and the high cost of treatment. He emphasized the necessity of nurturing children with different abilities to help them achieve their potential and make significant contributions to society. He also pointed out the unique abilities and skills of autistic children, which can flourish with appropriate treatment.
Former Central Bank of Kenya Governor Patrick Njoroge expressed that the facility would alleviate the burden on many families with autistic children. He acknowledged that society has marginalized autistic people by viewing them as a burden.
Susan Gachara, a mother of an eight-year-old autistic child, is among the parents expected to benefit from the centre. She shared her relief, stating that Tumaini St. Thorlak Autism Centre has alleviated the financial strain her family faced for her child's treatment. She spoke about the challenges they had endured, particularly in schooling and accessing therapy services, which were financially demanding.
According to World Health Organization (WHO), Autism is a developmental disorder that impairs one's ability to communicate and interact. In Kenya, autism affects approximately 4 percent of the population, or 2.2 million people, with varying degrees across the Autism Spectrum Disorders. Kenya is ranked number 46 globally in terms of autism prevalence.