By Nnasom David

The RBM Foundation has reported an expansion in its autism care services one year after unveiling its first 24-hour therapy centre and care home, marking a shift from outreach-based interventions to structured service delivery.

Founder Maria Okafor said the establishment of the physical facility has enabled the organisation to provide more consistent and coordinated support to children with autism and their families.

She noted that the centre has improved the foundation’s ability to monitor progress and deliver more intensive, personalised interventions within a structured environment.

According to her, the development has also strengthened trust between the foundation and beneficiary families, positioning the organisation as a long-term support partner.

The foundation said it has directly impacted hundreds of children and families over the past five years through early diagnosis support, therapy access, and caregiver education.

Okafor added that some beneficiaries have recorded developmental improvements, including enhanced communication among previously non-verbal children, while parents have built support networks and gained a better understanding of autism.

She described the foundation’s fifth anniversary, which coincides with the first year of the centre’s operation, as a reflection of both organisational and personal growth.

Looking ahead, the foundation said it plans to expand its services through additional centres, improve affordability of therapy, strengthen advocacy, and push for policy reforms in developmental health and inclusive education.

The organisation added that the operational milestone has positioned it to deliver more consistent and higher-quality autism care services across Nigeria.