Building Understanding and Inclusion: Amom Charity Reaches 350 People Through Autism Awareness Campaign

On 30 May 2026, Amom Charity brought autism education into the heart of the community through an Autism Awareness Campaign held during the Parents’ Day celebration at Presbyterian Church Ntaffi Hall.

The campaign reached approximately 350 parents, guardians, teachers, community leaders and other stakeholders. Its purpose was clear: to improve understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder, challenge harmful misconceptions and encourage families to seek early support for children who may show signs of autism.

Turning Awareness into Understanding

Autism remains widely misunderstood in many communities. A lack of accurate information can lead to delayed identification, stigma and the exclusion of autistic children and adults.

Facilitated by Ms Nanga Azinwi, the awareness session provided participants with practical, evidence-based information about autism. The presentation explored:

• The meaning of Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Common early signs of autism in children
• The importance of early identification and intervention
• Practical ways parents and caregivers can support autistic children
• The role of schools and communities in promoting inclusion
• Common myths and misconceptions surrounding autism

The discussion helped participants understand that autism is not caused by poor parenting, spiritual forces or a lack of discipline. It also reinforced the importance of responding to developmental concerns with compassion, professional guidance and appropriate support.

Strong Community Engagement

Participants showed significant interest in the subject and welcomed the opportunity to learn more. Many expressed appreciation for the information shared and called for additional awareness programmes and support initiatives.

The turnout demonstrated that families and community members want reliable information about autism. It also highlighted the need to create more spaces where parents can ask questions without fear of judgement and connect with appropriate educational, health and social-support services.

Promoting Early Support and Inclusion

One of the campaign’s most important messages was that early identification can help families access support sooner. When parents, teachers and caregivers understand the possible signs of autism, they are better prepared to seek professional assessment and make informed decisions.

The campaign also encouraged participants to look beyond awareness and actively promote inclusion. Every child deserves the opportunity to learn, participate and belong—at home, in school and within the wider community.

Through this initiative, Amom Charity helped strengthen public understanding of autism, challenge stigma and increase community support for neurodiversity and disability inclusion.

The Work Must Continue

Although the campaign was successful, one awareness session cannot answer every question or remove years of misinformation. Limited time prevented facilitators from addressing all participants’ questions in detail, while the absence of sufficient educational materials restricted what attendees could take home and share with others.

These challenges point to the next priorities: organising awareness sessions throughout the year, producing accessible educational materials and building stronger partnerships with schools, health facilities and community organisations.

The Parents’ Day campaign was an important step, but lasting change will require consistent education, practical services and sustained community involvement.

Amom Charity remains committed to helping build communities where autistic people and their families are understood, respected and supported. By replacing misinformation with knowledge and stigma with compassion, we can create a society in which every person has the opportunity to thrive.