An Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Consultant, Dr. Bernadette Kilo, has called for a national shift from autism awareness to meaningful acceptance, urging families, schools, healthcare providers, employers and government institutions to create environments where individuals on the autism spectrum can thrive.
Speaking at GTCO Plc’s 2026 Autism Conference themed “Acceptance in Action,” Dr. Kilo said acceptance is one of the key pillars of what she described as the “Three A’s Framework”:Acknowledge, Accept and Act,stressing that genuine inclusion begins with accepting autistic individuals for who they are.
Addressing parents and caregivers, she described them as courageous for their commitment to supporting children with autism despite daily challenges, noting that acceptance within the family is the foundation for wider community acceptance.
According to her, research has shown that children who are accepted at home experience lower levels of anxiety, depression, emotional dysregulation and other behavioural challenges.
She urged parents to reject stigma and misconceptions surrounding autism, encourage siblings to understand and support autistic family members, celebrate small achievements and seek support from other parents rather than suffer in silence.
“A child who is accepted at home can face any world. Your home is the first school of hope and acceptance,” she said.
Dr. Kilo also advocated greater inclusion within Nigeria’s education system, revealing that more than 600,000 children are estimated to be living with autism spectrum disorder in the country, although many remain undiagnosed or unsupported.
She cited findings indicating that only about 36 per cent of autistic children attend mainstream schools, while the majority are either enrolled in special education or remain out of school.
She called for autism and inclusive education to be incorporated into teacher training institutions, arguing that educators should receive specialised training before entering the profession.
According to her, inclusion should not simply involve placing autistic children in regular classrooms but providing the support they need to learn in ways that suit their individual needs.
The autism specialist also urged healthcare providers to improve services for autistic patients by introducing autism-specific training, sensory-friendly spaces in hospitals and better communication with families.
She advised parents to attend medical appointments with written information outlining their children’s communication styles, triggers and calming strategies to assist healthcare professionals.
On employment, Dr. Kilo challenged employers to redesign recruitment processes, provide workplace accommodations and train managers to better understand autism and different communication styles.
She noted that structured onboarding, flexible communication methods and sensory accommodations could significantly improve workplace retention for autistic employees.
She also appealed to religious leaders, traditional rulers, market leaders and community members to reject harmful myths linking autism to spiritual causes and instead promote dignity, empathy and inclusion.
Calling on the Federal Government, Dr. Kilo recommended increased funding for autism diagnosis and early intervention programmes, alongside the inclusion of autism education in medical and teacher training curricula.
She also urged the media to portray autistic individuals with dignity and respect rather than through pity or stereotypes.
In an emotional message addressed to Nigerians, Dr. Kilo said the country must decide whether children and adults living with autism will grow up in an atmosphere of shame or one of dignity, solidarity and acceptance.
Also speaking, Autism Scholar and Educator, Afeez Abdulrasak, said Nigeria must move beyond awareness campaigns to practical acceptance backed by deliberate policies and actions.
He argued that supporting people on the autism spectrum requires a coordinated approach involving families, government, schools, healthcare providers, employers and the media.
Abdulrasak, however, disagreed with the notion that acceptance begins easily at home, noting that cultural and religious beliefs often make families the first place where autistic children experience rejection.
He called on governments to adequately fund disability policies, urged organisations to create employment opportunities for persons with disabilities and challenged the media to promote stories that foster dignity and understanding.
The autism educator further advocated a shift from merely promoting inclusion to embracing social inclusion, where autistic persons are not only present but actively supported, engaged and empowered to participate fully in schools, workplaces and society.