This organisation is a game-changer. Founded by parents of children on the autism spectrum in Zimbabwe, Pathways Autism Trust has made phenomenal strides by establishing an autism-specific educational and therapeutic services Centre for children on the autism spectrum in Zimbabwe.
The Trust is registered under Registration number MA1148/2012 and as a Private Voluntary Organisation (PVO) under the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare as PVO39/2015, which gives us immense confidence in our work. Our team of professional and trained staff is highly skilled, comprising of a Rehabilitation Technician, a Psychologist, an Early Childhood Development teacher, a Special Needs Teacher, a Nurse Aide, and the Executive Director who is responsible for the overall management of the Trust. Along with our world-class services, we also actively participate in advocacy and autism awareness programmes, making us a reliable source of support and aid to the autism community.
Dr. Temple Grandin
“To establish and Operate a centre of excellence for education and therapeutic care for children on the autism spectrum in Zimbabwe”.
“Explore my world. Unlock my 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.
Pathways
We are proud to introduce our remarkable team, a group of passionate individuals united by a common purpose – to empower and support children on the autism spectrum and their families. Each member brings their unique expertise, compassion, and unwavering commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of those we serve.
Flora is a Founding Trustee of Pathways Autism Trust and the Secretary of Pathways Autism Private Voluntary Organisation. Her son Tawana-Munyaradzi Chinhaire, was part of the inspiration to start the organization which was legally founded in 2012.
Flora has played a key role in formulation of the strategy, direction and principles of the organisation.
Between 2014 and 2016 she was the voluntary hands-on Principal Director overseeing the day-to-day activities of the programme. She also plays a fundamental role in the awareness and advocacy agendas of the organization. She is also a corporate legal professional and assumed the role of a Non-Executive Director when working in the corporate sector.
In 2006, Flora trained on the Son-Rise® autism therapy programme at the Autism Treatment Centre of America (Options Institute) before reaching out to other parents in the community with the idea to start a local autism-specific programme. In 2014, Flora played a key role in the collaborative “Fishbowl Training” programme with the Childrens DisAbility Centre of South Africa, who trained remedial teachers at Gateway School in Harare. In 2015 she was part of the team sponsored by Rotary to be trained on the “Visual over Verbal” TEACCH based programme at the Johannesburg Hospital School, provided by Autism South Africa.
Flora continues to drive the fundraising, engagement, advocacy and capacity-building programmes at the Centre on an on going basis.
Mudiwa Gordon Chinhaire (pictured with son Tawana-Munyaradzi Chinhaire, above) is a co-Founding Trustee of the Trust and is currently the Principal Director of the Pathways Centre of Excellence (PACE) in Marlborough, Harare. He has played a pivotal role in stakeholder engagement and awareness activities of the programme over the years, and was a key participant in the 2014 Fishbowl Training programme in Harare run in collaboration with the Childrens Disability Centre from South Africa. He is responsible for overseeing and directing the day-to-day operations of the programme, co-ordinating initiatives with and hosting our donors and sponsors on an ongoing basis as well as keeping the outreach and awareness activities live by running our Facebook page and engaging with parents and professionals in the autism community on behalf of the organisation. Mudiwa continues to drive the vision and strategy for the further development of the organization to cater for vocational learning for the older children and for the Centre to have a boarding facility, respite centre and home for the future.
Doreen Tsitsi Tirivanhu (pictured with son Tanatswa, above) is a co-Founding Trustee of the Trust ) as well as the Chairperson of Pathways Autism Private Voluntary Organisation. In 2007 Doreen trained trained on the Son-Rise® autism therapy programme at the Autism Treatment Centre of America (Options Institute and played a dynamic role in the implementation of the idea to start a local autism-specific programme and to set up the Centre. Doreen is an academic professional at the University of Zimbabwe but continues to play an active non Executive role in stakeholder engagement both externally and with the staff of the Centre. She is an active force in all awareness and advocacy programmes on an ongoing basis for the Centre.
Professor Martin Schmidt and Roswitha Nass are German experts who have been visiting Zimbabwe once a year since 2016, to train Pathways Autism Trust staff further on the application of the TEACCH methodology. They also reach out to the local community by providing free advice, counselling and diagnoses to parents of children who came for assistance and consultations during their visits to Zimbabwe.
Professor Martin Schmidt is an internationally renowned psychiatrist who has specialized in autism for over 40 years, while Roswitha Nass is a specialist educationalist with over 30 years of experience in the field of child, youth and disabled support. She has worked as a consultant, trainer and systemic consultant in the field of child and youth welfare, support centres, practices, kindergartens and schools as well as diagnostics and treatment in the child and adolescent psychiatry specialising in people with autism spectrum disorders.
Roswitha Nass, a German expert, has been visiting Zimbabwe annually since 2016 to provide essential training to Pathways Autism Trust staff on the TEACCH methodology. In addition to their dedicated work within the organization, Roswitha Nass and her team extend their outreach to the local community.
With over 30 years of expertise in child, youth, and disabled support, Roswitha Nass has made significant contributions as a consultant and trainer in various fields, including child and youth welfare, support centers, kindergartens, and schools. Her work in diagnostics and treatment within child and adolescent psychiatry, specializing in people with autism spectrum disorders, has positively impacted families in Zimbabwe seeking assistance and consultations.
Roswitha Nass’s selfless commitment includes offering free advice, counseling, and diagnoses to parents of children in need during her visits to Zimbabwe. Her unwavering dedication and vast experience have strengthened the autism support network in the region, fostering an environment of understanding, empowerment, and hope for families touched by autism.
Professor Martin Schmidt is an internationally renowned psychiatrist with over 40 years of specialization in autism. He has been visiting Zimbabwe once a year since 2016 to train Pathways Autism Trust staff further on the application of the TEACCH methodology. Additionally, he and the team reach out to the local community by providing free advice, counseling, and diagnoses to parents of children seeking assistance during their visits to Zimbabwe.
With his wealth of experience and expertise, Professor Martin Schmit’s contributions have been invaluable in enhancing the organization’s practices and support for individuals on the autism spectrum.
As a specialist educationalist, Martin Schmit has over 30 years of experience in the field of child, youth, and disabled support. Her work has encompassed consultancy, training, and systemic consultation in various areas, including child and youth welfare, support centers, kindergartens, and schools. Her role also extends to diagnostics and treatment in child and adolescent psychiatry, specializing in people with autism spectrum disorders.
Together, their dedication and expertise have had a profound impact on the autism support network in Zimbabwe, fostering understanding, empowerment, and hope for families touched by autism.
