Raising a child with autism in Kenya: Facing stigma, finding glimmers of hope
Mary Gachoki had learned about autism spectrum disorder from a caregiving course she'd taken in college. When her son was 2 years old, she recognized that he was displaying traits associated with this neurological condition. He wasn't making eye contact, he stopped talking and he began flapping his fingers – a common behavior for people with autism as they seek to calm themselves.
Deep down, the 34-year-old single mom knew he likely had autism. But, she says, she was in denial.
When she did get a diagnosis, she says, the news "felt burdensome because I am a single mother. I am not strong mentally. I need support and reassurance that [my son] will be okay someday." (Editor's note: We are not naming the children in this story to protect their privacy as we discuss their condition.)
Challenges for parents
Around the world, parents like Gachoki often struggle to find reliable information and affordable support for a child with
