Autism isn’t the problem, stigma is

How many autistic children in Botswana, and across Africa, are hidden away because parents fear what the community will say? How many families struggle in silence, not because their child is difficult, but because stigma makes it impossible to ask for help? And how often do we hear a child labeled “bewitched,” “spoiled,” or “naughty” simply because they behave differently?

These questions force us to look honestly at how we view autism and disability in our society. They challenge us to reflect on where stigma comes from and why it continues to limit the lives of autistic people and their families.