SA autism community unites for inaugural summit – fighting stigma, broken systems and isolation
5 min read
Autistic Gifted & Awesome (AGA) – a registered non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting families of children on the autism spectrum – and the Centre for Autism Research and Education (CARE) will host the inaugural AGA Autism Summit on 11 April 2026: a landmark event set to reshape the conversation around autism spectrum diversity in southern Africa.
Taking place in the same month as World Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month, a central purpose of the summit is to confront one of the most pressing barriers faced by families of children on the spectrum in South Africa: access to timely and affordable assessments.
“True awareness and acceptance begins with understanding,” says Sisanda Maqina, autism advocacy mom, founder of AGA and co-host of the summit. “We are committed to dismantling societal barriers and creating inclusive environments where neurodiverse children and their families feel seen, supported and celebrated.”
For many, a formal diagnosis remains out of reach, delayed by cost, geography or by the waiting period brought on by a shortage of specialists. The AGA Autism Summit directly addresses these gaps, offering a platform for evidence-based learning, practical guidance, community connection and meaningful advocacy.
The event brings together parents, therapists, educators, medical practitioners, policymakers and community stakeholders in a powerful, inclusive learning environment.
Across southern Africa, families raising children with autism frequently encounter limited access to specialist services, structured information and supportive networks, leading to diagnostic delays, stigma and significant emotional and financial strain.
Jackie Selley, principal and therapy director for CARE, says: “At CARE, we believe every child with autism deserves the best possible start in life. We hold dearly onto the ethos of ‘different, but not less’. The summit will be an instrumental tool in communicating this message to parents, unlocking new information and understanding of their children’s unique journeys, and empowering them to raise confident children who feel loved, seen and supported – just as every child deserves.”
AGA was founded by Maqina, an autism advocacy mother to Thapelo, her daughter on the autism spectrum with a manageable speech delay. What began as a mother’s journey to understand and support her daughter has become a purposeful advocacy movement championing acceptance, inclusion and empowerment for neurodiverse children and their families across Johannesburg.
Maqina wishes to extend these information summits across South Africa over the course of time.
The first-ever summit will be held in commemoration of the late Professor Lorna Barbara Jacklin Paterson, a trailblazer in paediatric neurodevelopment and tireless advocate for children with special needs and those affected by abuse. Her legacy of placing children’s dignity and wellbeing at the centre of care will serve as the guiding spirit of the event.
The following experts and speakers will be at the event:
- Nandi Madida, a singer, media personality and autism advocate.
- Dr Sibongile Mbatha, a developmental paediatrician (paediatric sub-specialist).
- Avuyile Mjobo, a speech therapist and early childhood interventionist; co-founder of Beyond Speech.
- Nomsa Masoka, speech therapist and audiologist, author and co-founder of Mothers of Children With Autism.
All proceeds from the AGA Autism Summit 2026 will be directed toward establishing a dedicated Assessment Clinic Programme for families with limited financial resources who are struggling to obtain an onset autism diagnosis. The clinic will be staffed by volunteer professionals including neurodevelopmental paediatricians, occupational therapists and speech therapists, who will generously contribute their time and expertise.
In recognition of their service, AGA will support participating professionals by covering partial costs related to continuing professional development points and relevant accreditations.
In conclusion, with cases of autism on the rise globally, Maqina and Selley emphasise the time has come to move decisively toward acceptance, education and community.
“Gone are the days of associating children on the spectrum with unexplainable stigmas and relegating them to the margins of society. We strongly believe our children can grow to live full and meaningful lives, given the necessary support, tailored education and community acceptance.
“When we choose understanding over ignorance, inclusion over exclusion, and support over silence, we do more than change their world: we redefine and transform ours into one that is more compassionate, just and beautifully human.”
Event details
Date: Saturday, 11 April 2026
Time: 09h30–15h00
Cost: R250; tickets can be purchased upon registration
Venue: Centre for Autism Research and Education, 9th Avenue & Raglan Street, Orange Grove, Johannesburg, 2196
Image credit: Freepik
