Autism isn’t something most Nigerian parents are taught to prepare for. But more and more of us are waking up to the reality of it in our children. A 2021 report from the College of Medicine, University of Lagos estimated that 1 in 125 Nigerian children may show signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

 

Worse still, autism support is barely built into our work culture or healthcare system. A 2022 study from the African Journal of Disability found that over 70% of mothers raising autistic children in Nigeria also hold jobs, mostly without access to flexible working conditions, childcare relief, or even understanding employers. That means most of us are juggling careers, Lagos traffic, NEPA wahala, therapy appointments (when we can afford them), and meltdowns, all at once. It’s no small feat.

 

 

This is why the question isn’t just “What is autism?”. You can Google that. The real question is: How can you, a Nigerian parent, balance the demanding reality of raising a neurodivergent child while still showing up at work, paying bills, and staying sane?

 

This article isn’t magic. But it offers real, relatable ways to create structure, protect your mental health, and most importantly, help your child grow.

 

Let’s get into it

 

Know What Needs to Be Done (And Get Familiar With It)

 

You need to do your research and know your onions. And let’s not pretend, it's overwhelming at first. From delayed diagnosis to figuring out what “sensory processing” even means, the learning curve can feel like Mount Kilimanjaro.

 

But you don’t need to know everything overnight. Start with the basics: Read through this blog, gather information. Know which ones apply to you.

 

Get professional evaluation. If you’re in Lagos, try Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Yaba, or Patrick Speech and Languages Centre. Many states also have teaching hospitals with child psychiatry units.

 

Ask questions. Don’t feel ashamed to ask your child’s therapist or teacher for explanations in plain English or pidgin or any language you understand best.

 

 

Also, document everything. Nigerian doctors are overburdened and might not always recall every detail. Keep a small notebook or app with your observations. Things like “no response to name for 3 days,” “difficulty sleeping,” “throws things when hungry.” This becomes powerful when explaining symptoms later.

 

After this comes the trial and error phase. This is when you begin to work your way around the information you're armed with in order to know which ones work best for you. Figure things out and stick to the best solutions.

 

Establish a Routine and Stick to It: Timers, Alarms & Simple Visuals

 

Autistic children crave predictability. The unpredictable chaos of everyday Nigerian life e.g. power outages, school strikes and traffic jams can really throw them off balance.

 

One hack? Create a structure that survives the chaos.

 

Morning routine: Wake, brush, bathe, breakfast, shoes. Same order, every day. Use timers to help them know when one activity ends and another begins.

 

Visual schedules: Use printed or hand-drawn pictures of “toothbrush,” “bath,” “food,” etc. and arrange them on a chart. A child who doesn’t respond to verbal instructions might find this easier.

 

Prayer time? NEPA-off time? No wahala. If NEPA cuts power at 7 pm daily, make that the designated quiet time. Or replace TV time with puzzle time until the gen comes on. Flexibility within a predictable structure helps.

 

 

Children on the spectrum often thrive when they know what to expect. And believe it or not, it also makes your day easier.

 

Be Creative and Ready to Use Shortcuts

 

Let’s be real: you're not a superhuman. You will not cook fresh soup every day, attend every school meeting, hit all your work targets, and still read five books on autism this month. Something's gotta give and that’s okay.

 

Here are real-life hacks that can save you time and stress 

 

Cook in bulk. Make Jollof rice, beans, stews and soups on the weekend and freeze in containers. It'll help during the week, especially on hectic workdays. Many autistic kids have food rigidity so it might be worth it to stock on their healthy favourites. Offer variety gently, not forcefully.

 

 

Use audio WhatsApp notes with teachers or caregivers if you don’t have time to type reports. Use tech. Free apps like “AutiSpark” or “First Then Visual Schedule” can help with home-based learning.

 

Prioritize Self-Care and Self-Love

 

This one’s hard, I know. There are days you don’t even have time to pee in peace, talk less of do skincare or meditate. But here’s the truth: you can’t pour from an empty bucket.

 

Sleep when your child naps. Not every moment must be productive.

 

Assign one day a month for YOU. Hair, movies, chilling with gistful friends. Even if it’s just one hour, make it sacred.

 

Say NO when necessary. You don’t owe the world explanations. Protect your peace. All in all, please try not to burn out. When your health crashes, who will be left to care for your child?

 

Build a Good Support System and Use the Resources Around You

 

No one should do this alone. The importance of  community cannot be overstated so let’s use that. Involve family but educate them. Share YouTube videos in pidgin, print infographics, show them progress reports. They may not get it at first, but small wins count.

 

Talk to your boss too. If you work for someone with emotional intelligence, share your schedule struggles. They may allow flexible time or remote days.

 

Seek out inclusive schools. Ask on forums or autism-focused Facebook groups. Some schools won’t advertise that they’re autism-friendly but others have low-sensory classrooms or shadow teachers.

 

 

Don’t wait for perfect support. Patch together what you can and know it still counts.

Manage Your Emotions: Feel Them, Talk Through Them

 

Parenting a neurodivergent child in Nigeria comes with intense emotions like confusion, anger, fear, loneliness. And they're valid. You’re human.

 

Acknowledge how you feel. Journaling helps. Talking to someone who gets it helps even more.

 

Speak to a therapist. If private sessions are too expensive, try Mentally Aware Nigeria Initiative (MANI). They offer free sessions occasionally.

 

Join a support group. WhatsApp groups like Autism Parents Support Nigeria are lifesavers. Some days, just reading “me too” from another mum can lift the fog.

 

 

You’ve been great so far. You’re doing your best in a system that often does too little to help. But you’re still standing. That alone is proof of your strength.

Be Optimistic Even on the Hard Days

 

Some days, it’ll feel like nothing’s working. Like you’re behind on everything and your child’s progress is too slow. But here’s what’s also true:

 

Your child is learning in their own way. You’re doing more than most people could ever handle and things do get better, gradually.

 

Autistic children often flourish with the right support. Many begin to talk, to socialize, to attend school. Maybe not the conventional way, but in a way that’s uniquely theirs. Don’t give up before that light breaks through.

 

So here’s your challenge:

 

Pick one thing from this article and start today. Maybe it’s setting up a bedtime routine. Maybe it’s joining a WhatsApp group. Maybe it’s just drinking enough water and sleeping early tonight.

 

Because every small thing you do? It matters.