What is
It is a youth led organization that works with children on the autism spectrum. EACU was founded on 16th April 2013.
The mission of EACU is to improve the quality of life of Ugandan children on the autism spectrum. Its vision is to build a Uganda where autistic children can be fully integrated into the society.
The organisation does awareness campaigns on social media and by word of mouth. We have a facebook page we share information on autism. Our link is
https://www.facebook.com/EmpoweredAutisticChildrenUganda
EACU also provides therapy to 3 children and they receive this therapy on weekends at one of the homes of the members of the organisation.EACU has only part time volunteers; a psychologist, a psychiatrist and 2 therapists.
Why EACU was formed
Autism is an invisible disability. Persons with autism do not fit into any known category of disability and they are therefore often classified as victims of witchcraft in some communities or bad omen in others. The
effect of this is that they are often robbed of their rights as human beings in our society.
The founders were driven to form this organization because there was need for a body that created awareness on autism, offered affordable therapy to autistic children and also offered a support system for families
living with autism. However, the objectives of the organization have widened so as to address the various challenges that affect the different facets of autistic lives.
Why EACU believes that opening an autism center will greatly benefit autistic children
In Uganda, facilities and services for children with special needs are inadequate and are generalized, mixing children with diverse disorders and further hindering development for autistic children. Worse still, those
who are informed about autism can't afford the therapy. Each hour of therapy costs $16 yet 33.7% of Ugandans earn less than $1.25 a day.
Opening an autism center that provides affordable services would improve the level of self care, social and communications skills of autistic children. This would be a major step towards integrating these children
into the society.
What the responsibilities of the autism center will be
1.Expanding awareness campaigns so that all Ugandans become aware of autism as a neurophysical disorder and not as a consequence ofwitchcraft.
2.Providing free diagnostic services for child psychiatric disorders on the autistic spectrum.
3.Providing different forms of therapy i.e, speech and language therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and social therapy.
5.Building the talents of autistic children and equipping them with skills.
7.Providing support and information to families living with autistic children.
8.Providing a support system for autistic children as they transition into youth and early adulthood.
