08 Apr 2025

Ambrose Academy in Gaborone North commemorated World Autism Day on April 2 by embarking on a walk to raise awareness on the autism spectrum disorder (ASD) condition. 

The academy engaged the 2024 World Rally Raid champion, Ross Branch as the chief walker.

Making a call for inclusively on autism, a parent, Ms Bokang Opelokgale in an interview with BOPA called for inclusiveness to foster acceptance, saying it could only come with awareness.

“And awareness can only be possible if each and everyone of us, can speak on behalf of the voiceless, the children living with autism,” she said.

Ms Opelokgale is raising a 10-year-old who is autistic and as such, she  said it was their duty to teach people around them about this developmental condition.

The ASD is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain, and can cause significant social, communication and behavioural challenges.

She said dealing with autistic children had challenges  noting that both caregivers and autistic children needed the support they could get from people around them.

Furthermore, she said when people are aware of ASD and the challenges autistic children went through, they would be in a better place to be of assistance in whatever way they could.

She said learning about ASD meant one could encourage and celebrate the uniqueness, abilities and interests of autistic individuals, recognising that autism was a spectrum.

Also, Ms Opelokgale said they encountered challenges, particularly of resources for autistic children.

“Our children need resources and support to reach potential that other normal developing children reach. It is unfortunate that the majority of children in Botswana do not have access to adequate resources,” she said, adding that being aware of ASD would mean acceptance.

She said when accepted, societal inclusivity would be easy and government could also resourcefully absorb them in their human resource  noting that an autistic child grows into an autistic adult, as autism does not end at 18 or 21.

Ms Opelokgale said there was also need for advocacy for autism in the workplace. Moreover, she said in her journey of raising a child with special needs, she realised that viable income to cater for all their needs was necessary.

“They need special equipment at school as their fine motor skills are not yet developed, they go for speech therapies, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and the school fees at a special institution,” she said.

The 2025 World Autism Awareness Day was observed under the theme: Advancing Neurodiversity and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The theme highlighted the intersection between Neurodiversity and global sustainability efforts, showcasing how inclusive policies and practices could drive positive change for autistic individuals worldwide and contribute to the achievement. of the SDGs. ENDS