Patrick Speech and Language Centre (PSLC) is a unique centre fo children wih autism spectrum disorders, asperger syndrome and other related development disabiliies. The Centre was established in 2006 by Mrs. Dotun Akande after many years of frustration searching for an ideal environment for her autistic son.

Autism is a developmental disability and neurological disorder which presents itself in a variety of symptons ha affect individuals differently. People with autism typically have difficulties with communication, sensory input and appropriate behaviours.

PSLC is the first of its kind in Nigeria, set up as a Cocial Enterprise with the following core objectives.

• Create community awareness towards the rehabilitation of he intellectually disabled.
• Help the society

The centre commenced operations with 3 children and now caters for 40 pupils with ages ranging from 3 to 22 years old.

PSLC has been able to bring about social change within the wider Nigerian Society in a number of ways. These include:

Reducing Societal Stigmatisation
There is no gainsaying that Nigeria has one of the lowest public perceptions of the abilities of peson with intellectual disabilities. 

Generally, most people hold negative attitudes towards individuals with intellectual disabilities.   Due to the stigmatization, parents are embarrassed about their children’s situation and hide from the truth and their neighbours.  Parents also have to face the reality of regular schools rejecting their children.  In some rural communities, children with Autism are often thought to be possessed, tied to trees and forced to confess their initiation to witchcraft. This perception is gradually changing with the establishment and the commencement of activities at the centre. These special children have been able to find a home at the centre where their individual challenges are being addressed. We have been able to develop an Individualised Educational Plan (IEP) to cater for the specific need of each child thereby improving the quality of these children.

Reducing Huge Economic Costs
There is a huge economic cost incurred by families caring for children with Autism and other developmental disabilities.  The main costs are living support, daily activities, therapists and constant  monitoring.

 In many cases the mother of an Autistic child has to resign from paid employment to care full time for the child due to poor job performances, liability to concentrate and anxiety of leaving the child with house helps who don’t appreciate their condition. 

This inevitably causes a strain on the finances of the family, further leading to frustrations, trauma and even conflicts between the parents.  There have been many reported cases of fathers becoming alcoholics due to the unforeseen pressures.

Patrick Speech and Languages Centre has been able to provide a home away from home for these lovely children at very reasonable prices thereby reducing tensions within families and also the huge economic loss that occurs as a result of this.

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