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A crossword puzzle promoting Autism awareness.
Stakeholders and experts from across the African continent will meet in Johannesburg today and tomorrow for the inaugural Autism in Africa Conference.
This comes as April marks Autism Awareness Month.
Autism spectrum disorder is a condition related to brain development that impacts how a person perceives and socialises with others.
One of the partners at the conference, Non-Profit Organisation, Afrika Tikkun, estimates there are between two and three million youth with autism spectrum disorders in sub-Saharan Africa.
The organisation’s Lana Leas-Roy says that in South Africa, the numbers are 1 in 2000, so that in itself is an interesting statistic due to the fact that it is a population thing, however, it also means that there are many young people not being diagnosed or being misdiagnosed in rural communities.
Related video | Understanding autism spectrum disorder:
AUTISM IN AFRICA CONFERENCE 2025
To commemorate #WorldAutismAwarenessMonth, the Gauteng Department of Education is hosting the first #AutismInAfrica Conference under the theme “Celebrate Differences” aiming to foster inclusivity and understanding of autistic individuals.
Day 1… pic.twitter.com/lUE2DMWiRC
— Gauteng Department of Education (@EducationGP1) April 8, 2025
Deputy Minister @msletsike will deliver the keynote address at the World Autism Awareness and Acceptance Seminar at @unisa Main Campus. pic.twitter.com/RRGp2RMduh
— Dept of Women, Youth & Persons with Disabilities (@DWYPD_ZA) April 8, 2025
