Berea, Apr. 16 — Intellectual Disability and Autism Lesotho (IDAL) on Wednesday held an awareness walk in Berea aimed at promoting understanding, acceptance and inclusion of people living with autism across communities in Lesotho.

In an interview, IDAL treasurer Ms Nyolohelo Pekeche said the initiative seeks to encourage communities to accept and support individuals with autism, emphasising that they are an integral part of society who deserve dignity and understanding.

She explained that Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental condition that affects communication, behaviour, learning and social interaction. She noted that children with autism may experience developmental delays, such as taking longer to speak or to reach physical milestones like crawling or walking, despite being able to hear and understand their surroundings.

Ms Pekeche expressed concern over persistent stigma faced by children with autism, noting that some members of the public attach harmful labels or associate the condition with negative cultural beliefs. She said IDAL continues to engage in community education to address misconceptions and promote respect for people with disabilities.

She further highlighted challenges including limited participation of men in caregiving and support structures. In some families, she said, mothers are unfairly blamed for having children with autism, placing additional emotional strain on households.

Ms Pekeche indicated that IDAL receives government support. She explained that the organisation was initially established to assist people with intellectual disabilities before expanding its scope to include autism in order to provide more inclusive services. She added that IDAL is largely composed of parents and guardians.

She also called for strengthened support from the education and health sectors, noting that many families continue to face difficulties due to limited access to specialised services and resources.

Sharing her personal experience, Ms Pekeche said she is a parent of a 13-year-old boy with autism. She first observed developmental differences when her child was about two years old, particularly delayed speech despite his ability to hear and understand. A medical diagnosis later confirmed autism.

“My son receives strong support from family members and is encouraged to interact with others in a safe environment. At home, he is closely supervised, especially when playing with other children, as he may wander off if not guided,” she said.

She stressed the importance of creating safe environments while allowing children with autism to socialise, discouraging isolation and emphasising every child’s right to play and develop social skills.

Ms Pekeche added that her son attends school, which helps him build social skills and discover his abilities and talents.

The awareness walk called for greater inclusion and acceptance of people with autism in Lesotho, urging communities to reject stigma and create supportive environments where children with autism can learn, grow and participate fully in society.

Image from Times of Eswatini