Ike Foundation for Autism/National Hospital Press Release
Abuja’s First Autism Assessment Centre Opens in National Hospital
The first dedicated Autism assessment centre has now opened in Abuja. Ike foundation for Autism Assessment Centre National Hospital is a Public Private Partnership between Ike foundation for Autism, an NGO and the Federal Ministry of Health.
Autism has been getting increased attention worldwide, 1 in 68 children in America are diagnosed with Autism and the FDA now classed it as an epidemic. The rate appears to be increasing exponentially and the controversy surrounding the cause of autism continues to rage. It has been determined that genetic and environmental factors are possible causes.” We can do little about genetic factors but we can do a lot about protecting ourselves from environmental factors” says Christine Shuaibu who believes that care should be exercised by women during pregnancy around known environmental toxins as this is a period when the growing foetus is most vulnerable to neurological damage.
Autism is a neurological disorder that shows up in the first few years of life affecting a child’s communication and social functioning, a child may have no or delayed speech, may make odd sounds or facial expressions, repetitive compulsive odd play patterns, unsociable sometimes aggressive behaviour with frequent tantrums, self- injury and severe noncompliance in response to routine environmental demands. No eye contact, the child prefers to look away even when spoken to, which is a classic symptom”.
Ike Foundation for Autism Assessment centre National Hospital was born out of the need to provide an early diagnosis and invention service for autistic children in Nigeria.
This assessment centre is a major breakthrough and will serve as a first point of call for families who have concerns about their child’s development especially in the areas such as lack of speech, inappropriate behaviour such as head banging, hyper activity or inability to interact with others. This will give many families much needed hope and support. A recent early intervention study carried out in the United States of America, designed to promote social and communication skills and learning, discovered that two years after completing the intervention, autistic children maintained gains in overall intellectual ability and language and showed new areas of progress in reduced autism symptoms.
Currently there are no statistics on the prevalence rate of Autism in Nigeria and hence it is difficult to stipulate whether Autism is on the increase or whether environmental of genetic factors are the causes. However Dr Shatima, a Neurological Paediatrician (HOD of the paediatric unit), who is heading the autism assessment centre states “I come across cases of autism on a routine basis, in the course of my practice and see the pain that parents go through, in trying to control their child. This is a condition that is mis-understood; we try our best to dismiss the myths which points towards the child being possessed or the parents being punished for past wrong doings. What we need is more awareness and parents given a clear diagnosis with intervention and support”
Ike foundation for autism IFA is providing free assessment services to children. This has been in the making for a number of years.
“For progress to be made in the area of awareness and research we can no longer afford to go by speculations, we need facts and figures in order to make calculated plans and preparations for a possible upsurge in reported case from a group that remains ‘hidden’ in Nigeria” says Christine Shuaibu Director of Ike Foundation for Autism, a US Inspired Nigerian NGO which was set up to close the gap between Autism management in Nigeria and that received abroad. “ Too many families are suffering a life of untold hardship, stress and emotional turmoil, coping with a child whom they believe is spiritually possessed, whom they are ashamed to take out in public, for whom they are never given a diagnosis for or a programme of management. Having a child with such neurological disorders whether Autism or otherwise is like a life time of bondage for the entire family and it need not be so.”
The Founder Dr Nwanze Okidegbe adds “It has been my dream to set up an Autism Centre of Excellence in Nigeria, providing International standard assessment and intervention services, which can be accessed by the poorest of families especially those that cannot afford to travel abroad. Having witnessed the services and support rendered to families in the United States of America I was saddened by the lack of facilities for children with autism in Nigeria. Families are being torn apart by the pressures of concealing an autistic child, that becomes an Autistic teenager and as an Autistic Adult remains within the home environment often chained and bound in a room. Once families understand that Autism is a condition that can be managed and that early intervention is vital, the pressures are reduced and families can look forward to a better quality of life with the hope that their child will have a better chance of possibly integrating into mainstream life.”
The ultimate goal of Ike Foundation for Autism is to open a holistic centre that provides assessment, Intervention and supporting services, with education and vocational training facilities all under one roof.
Dr J Momoh, CMD/C.E.O National Hospital adds “We are delighted to be partnering with Ike Foundation for Autism on this project, which we are very passionate about. We welcome other such partnerships where we can put our collective efforts and expertise together for the greater good of the Nigerian health care sector.”

Ike Foundation for Autism Assessment Centre National Hospital is located within the Paediatric department of National Hospital (Old Wing), Abuja. Opening days and time
Tuesday 12-4pm
Wednesday 12-4pm
Ike Foundation for Autism Resource Centre; 5 Okemesi Crescent, Garki 2, Close to Nesra Office
Open Monday 10-5pm
For further Enquiries call: 0903 119 0904, 0814 199 5599
Email: christine.s@ikefoundationforautism.org mail.office@ikefoundationforautism.org
Ike Foundation for autism is a registered Nigerian NGO, Also registered with The Federal Ministry of Health, Federal Ministry of Education, and National Planning Commission
Media Enquiries – Christine Shuaibu 081 2554 2664