A Grandmother’s Perspective on Autism in Ethiopia
As I embark on this journey, I feel compelled to share my experiences as a grandmother to children with autism, navigating a world where awareness is scarce, and stigma runs deep. My journey has taken me from Ethiopia to India, seeking medical treatment for my grandchild. This is my story—a story of hope, challenges, and the urgent need for change.
From the moment we arrived at the airport, I was filled with a mix of anticipation and anxiety. My grandchild, a 9-year-old boy affected by autism from an early age, is a bright and loving child, but the world often sees him differently. I have always hoped that people would possess the emotional intelligence to understand and respond to a child’s needs, irrespective of cultural or language barriers. However, my experience at the airport quickly shattered this hope.
As we checked in at the airport, I felt like an outsider—a feeling intensified by the reactions of those around us. My grandson, overwhelmed by the unfamiliar environment, made noises as he tried to make sense of his surroundings. These were not just noises, but his way of communicating. We had kept him sheltered at home due to the harsh stigma surrounding autism, so he was not accustomed to new places. The looks we received—from the staff to the other passengers—were a painful reminder of how society views those who are different.
Throughout the airport—in public toilets, restaurants, and while standing in queues— people stared at us as if we were aliens. Each time my grandson tried to communicate in his own way, the stares intensified, filled with fear and misunderstanding.
At one point, a passenger near us exclaimed in alarm, “Oh, he’s touching me—he might bite me!” My grandchild, who was only trying to be friendly, had reached out to communicate, but his inability to use words made others uncomfortable. Despite his clean, smart appearance—no different from any other child—his lack of verbal communication led to unwarranted fear. I wondered how a 9-year-old child with autism could be viewed as a threat? I believe he shouldn’t. Am I wrong?
Another striking moment occurred when a security officer approached us. My grandson, curious and eager to hold his passport, made a noise as he reached for it. The officer, startled, jumped back and declared that she couldn’t be near him. I asked her why. I tried to explain that he wasn’t violent—just attempting to communicate. The fear in her eyes spoke volumes about the stigma surrounding autism. She looked at my grandchild not as a human being, but as something to be feared—an unfortunate reflection of the ignorance that still prevails.
These experiences forced me to confront a painful question: How have we, as Ethiopians, come to believe that our culture of hospitality and human connection truly accommodates others—especially those with disabilities or special needs—when, in reality, people with different needs are often treated as alien and dangerous? This realization hit me hard, making me question the very fabric of our societal values.
As these thoughts weighed on my mind, I began to consider where we need to start in creating awareness. Should we begin in schools, educating the new generation and their teachers about empathy and inclusion? Or should we focus on medical personnel, using public spaces to hold discussions and educate the public about autism? Perhaps the answer lies with policymakers and law enforcement bodies, ensuring they understand the importance of creating room for further dialogue and inclusive policies. Or maybe the focus should be on public services and the private sector, training those who provide services to interact with respect and understanding toward individuals with different needs.
These experiences highlighted the deep-rooted misunderstandings and lack of awareness about autism in our society. I will continue to document and share our journey to India, detailing the processes and procedures my grandchild will undergo to improve his health, communication skills, and interactions with others.
As a grandmother, I will be his voice. I want to share the challenges I face with other grandparents and amplify the urgent need for greater understanding and awareness. I encourage others to join me in sharing their stories and working toward creating awareness and enhancing society’s understanding of autism. Together, we can create a positive impact for generations to come, as these conditions are not going away. There is much work to be done in bridging the gap between understanding autism and how society interacts with children on the spectrum, especially within public services and communities in Africa, particularly Ethiopia.
As we continue our journey to India, I will keep sharing our experiences, hoping that they resonate with others facing similar challenges. Together, we can work to eliminate stigma and build a more understanding and inclusive society.
E.G.R.
A grandmother in Ethiopia
2025
The views expressed in this paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the NLM Family Foundation.