“Explore their World. Unlock their Potential”.

We believe that every child on the autism spectrum is different, just as Stephen Shore said: “If you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism,” Dr. Stephen Shore.

They each have potential; they just need the chance to unlock it and realise the full extent of their unique talents and capabilities within the varying levels of severity on the autism spectrum.

 What is Autism?

Autism is known as a spectrum of neuro-developmental disorders characterised by deficits in verbal and social communication, and by rigid and repetitive behaviours. These characteristics present themselves in affected persons in a spectrum ranging from mild to severe. It affects 1-2 in 100 people worldwide, according to the Centres for Disease Control.

At Pathways, we like to think of autism as A Spectrum of Developmental Differences characterised by various levels of verbal and social communication skills.

In Zimbabwe, children with autism face social and cultural stigma – often based on negative superstitious and spiritual beliefs. They face exclusion and marginalisation from society.

Children with autism in Zimbabwe are often not accommodated or given the opportunity to integrate into mainstream education. The experience of many families has been that their child is either rejected by, or thrown out of educational facilities, play centres and schools.

There is little in the way of social or governmental support for families affected by autism in Zimbabwe. Due to the suffering and pain of stigma, as well as a lack of understanding and awareness of the condition, many affected families keep their children locked up and hidden away from society.