Worried about the future of autistic children as they grow into adulthood and their families struggle to meet their lifelong care needs, the Mindful Bridges Therapy Foundation has begun equipping young people with autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions with vocational skills to promote independence.

The foundation’s founder, Rosemary Mbanefo, raised the concern during an autism awareness and acceptance walk in Abuja on Saturday, organised in collaboration with the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and other organisations.

She said the initiative was designed to address the challenges autistic individuals face after leaving school, particularly their access to vocational training, employment and opportunities to live independently.

Mbanefo, a mother of a child with autism and a neurodevelopmental professional, said society must move beyond awareness to accepting and including people with autism.

She said: “Autistic children grow into autistic adults. So, what happens after the diagnosis? What happens when the child leaves school? What happens when I am no longer here, or when my husband is no longer here to care for this child?

“That is why this foundation exists. We want to see these individuals grow into adults who can live a decent, reasonable life.”

She said the foundation provides specialised therapeutic care and vocational training for young people aged between 13 and 25 with autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and other neurodivergent needs.

According to Mbanefo, its programmes cover about 10 vocational and creative skills, including music, painting, carpentry, hairmaking and wigmaking.

She disclosed that the foundation, which officially commenced operations about two months ago, currently had about 12 learners.

She explained that the organisation was seeking partnerships with businesses and other institutions to create employment opportunities for beneficiaries or support those interested in establishing their own businesses.

“We are looking at expansion, but it is not just about building buildings. I am interested in making sure that these individuals can actually demonstrate the skills they have learnt,” she said.

“Some may go on to run businesses themselves, while others may be employed by people. That is where awareness comes in. We are asking people to understand and accept them, and also include them in their businesses and whatever they are doing, where they can fit in.”

Mbanefo acknowledged that caring for autistic individuals could place significant mental, emotional and financial demands on families, adding that the cost of specialised care varied according to individual needs.

Having lived in the United Kingdom before returning to Nigeria, she said she established the foundation to contribute to society and support families navigating the challenges associated with autism.

She urged Nigerians to recognise that autism could occur in any family and that affected individuals deserved opportunities to develop their abilities and participate meaningfully in society.

Also speaking with reporters, Scientist Amarachi Onyebichi said autism was a neurodevelopmental condition with a strong genetic component, dismissing claims linking it to genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

She explained that although nutrition was important for human development, there was no scientific evidence that genetically modified organism (GMO) food caused autism.

Onyebichi urged Nigerians to embrace people with autism rather than isolate or discriminate against them, stressing that they should be treated with dignity, love and understanding.

According to her, autistic individuals have unique abilities that should be recognised rather than allowing their condition to define them.

Sharing their experiences working with the teens, the foundation’s music facilitator, Netochukwu Mbanefo, and fashion facilitator, Ginikachi Duruaku, highlighted the importance of nurturing their talents, developing their creative abilities and equipping them with practical skills to foster confidence, self-expression and greater independenceà

The awareness walk took participants from Ahmadu Bello Way, Kado, to Banex Plaza, Wuse, and back to Ahmadu Bello Way.

During the exercise, foundation members and other volunteers distributed flyers and stopped at intervals to educate residents about autism, emphasising the need to treat autistic children with patience, care and love.