What I Wish I Knew Before My Child’s Autism Diagnosis

By Chisom Pascaline

Becoming a first-time Mom, I often look back and wish I had understood so much more about autism before the diagnosis. Medical school glossed over it—I saw the early signs, sensed something was off, but lacked direction. As months stretched into years and my child achieved milestone after milestone, I realized how much knowledge could have made a difference. Here’s what I wish I’d known earlier—all grounded in Nigeria’s realities.

Early Intervention Is Key

Global research confirms that diagnosis and intervention before age three significantly improve developmental outcomes¹. Active early intervention offers better trajectories for learning, communication, and social skills¹. In Nigeria, efforts like the Nigerian Autism Screening Questionnaire (NASQ) are being developed to facilitate early detection, crucial in resource-limited settings².

Autism Awareness—Still Low Among Healthcare Providers

I discovered that many mainstream doctors—especially outside pediatrics or psychiatry—lack adequate awareness of autism. Studies show significant gaps in knowledge among healthcare workers, including pharmacists, nurses, and medical students³,⁴. This means parents are often misinformed or left without referral options.

Support Systems—Scarce Among Family, Schools, and Therapists

Support in Nigeria is limited. Many extended families don’t understand autism, schools may lack inclusion policies, and therapeutic services are few and expensive. Healthcare settings are under-equipped, and policies or facilities for children with autism are often absent or inadequate⁵.

Yet, organizations like The Winford Centre for Children and Women (Lagos) offer advocacy, training, and parent support, helping to fill critical gaps⁸.

Diet Can Be a Game Changer—Address Feeding Challenges Early

Feeding issues like selective eating are common among children with autism. In Ibadan, a behavioral intervention using positive reinforcement showed promising results in reducing food selectivity⁶.

Globally, interventions involving dietary adjustments, vitamin supplements, and structured mealtime practices can support better feeding behaviors⁷.

Plan Your Finances—Early Preparation Matters

Raising a child with autism in Nigeria often means navigating high costs for assessments, therapy, schools, and support. While specific data isn’t widely published, caregivers report significant financial strain⁵,⁹.

Being proactive—exploring low-cost or subsidized services, government-supported assessments, or NGO resources—can ease the financial burden. For example, some public hospitals offer subsidized autism assessments if you register early⁹.

Consider “Japa” (Relocating Abroad) If Possible

If you have the means, relocating—either temporarily or permanently—for better access to therapy, inclusive schooling, medical professionals, and support systems can be transformative. While not everyone has this option, having it as a discussion point—and planning toward it—can lift emotional pressure and open doors for your child.

Prayer as Emotional Support—Hope and Miracles Matter

Spiritually, I turned to prayer for emotional resilience, comfort, and hope. In a context where formal services fall short, faith anchors many parents as they remain steadfast in longing for small and big miracles.

It Can Get Better Over Time

The early years may feel like an uphill battle, but progress—no matter how small—is real. With time, patience, interventions, and love, children grow, develop, and sometimes surpass expectations. My own child’s achievements today—a journey far beyond what I imagined—are truly miraculous.

Educate Yourself—Knowledge Is Empowerment.

If medical school didn’t prepare you, self-education must. Scour reputable sites, read research, join parent groups, attend workshops, and learn about therapies, legal rights, schools, and strategies to support development.

Knowledge equips you to advocate effectively for your child in schools, clinics, and communities.

Build and Strengthen a Support Network

Educate your family, friends, and caregivers—show them what autism is and how they can help. Whether explaining simple strategies, sharing research, or connecting with other parents, widening your support system eases daily life and reduces isolation.

If this resonates with you, you are not alone—and you can turn regrets into actions:

• Share your story in the comments or on social media to uplift other Nigerian parents.

• Reach out to community groups like The Winford Centre or local NGOs for support.

• Start small: ask for early screening, research diet interventions, begin a savings plan—even incremental changes can build a stronger foundation.

• Let’s build awareness, support, and hope—together.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the ideal age for early intervention?

Interventions initiated before age three yield the greatest developmental benefits¹.

How common is autism in Nigeria?

Recent data show increasing prevalence estimates between 0.8% and 1.2% among children aged 2–17¹⁰. The challenge remains low awareness, delayed diagnosis, and limited policy support.

Are there low-cost autism services in Nigeria?

Yes. Some public hospitals provide free or subsidized autism assessments—though waiting lists may apply. Register early and inquire in the pediatrics or neurology departments⁹.

How can diet help with autism feeding issues?

Structured interventions

References 

Dawson G, Rogers S, Munson J, Smith M, Winter J, Greenson J, et al. Randomized, controlled trial of an intervention for toddlers with autism: The Early Start Denver Model. Pediatrics. 2010;125(1):e17–23. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6016974/

Edeh O, Ezenwa B, Akinsulie A, Olowu T, et al. Development and validation of the Nigerian Autism Screening Questionnaire (NASQ). PubMed. 2022. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35261274/

Ghanizadeh A. Autism spectrum disorders in developing countries: Challenges and perspectives. PubMed. 2009; Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19216754/

World Health Organization. Knowledge and attitudes towards autism among healthcare professionals: A global review. PMCID. 2005; Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11555742/

Bakare MO, Ebigbo PO. Challenges of Autism Spectrum Disorder care in Nigeria. BMC Pediatrics. 2009;9:12. Available from: https://bmcpediatr.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-2431-9-12

Elangovan S, et al. Feeding intervention for children with autism in Ibadan, Nigeria. PMCID. 2000; Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11117046/

Marshall J, et al. Dietary interventions for children with autism: Evidence and practical strategies. PMCID. 2001; Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11572612/

Wikipedia contributors. The Winford Centre for Children and Women. Wikipedia. 2023. Available from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Winford_Centre_for_Children_and_Women

Ibekwe R. How to access free or low-cost autism resources in Nigeria. Autism Parenting Blog. 2025. Available from: https://www.autismparentingblog.com/2025-03/how-access-free-or-low-cost-autism-resources-nigeria

Sciety Research. Prevalence estimates of autism spectrum disorders in Nigerian children. Sciety. 2023. Available from: https://sciety.org/articles/activity/10.21203/rs.3.rs-6735926/v1

Dr. Pascaline Chisom is a medical doctor and health writer. She runs Autism Parenting in Nigeria Blog, where she shares practical strategies and resources to support families raising children with autism in Nigeria.

Website: https://www.autismparentingblog.com

Email: ntomchisom@gmail.com