RC: a safe place for autistic students

Case Dominique: a ray of hope - 5th June 2023

In an inspiring initiative, a school in the heart of Brazzaville, the Republic of the Congo, has become a safe haven for students with autism and has been spearheading a social campaign to dispel the stigmas associated with the condition.

Case Dominique has opened its doors to 350 autistic students, including some with Down's syndrome. Not all individuals on the autism spectrum have learning disabilities, but some require additional assistance in their educational journey, a need that Case Dominique caters to.

Autism, characterised as a spectrum disorder, exhibits variations from one individual to another. While communication difficulties, anxiety and discomfort in unfamiliar situations are common challenges faced by many people with autism, this spectrum condition manifests uniquely for each individual.

In an effort to foster a sense of unity and inclusivity, students don navy blue trousers and khaki shirts as uniforms and neurotypical and non-neurotypical students attend lessons together. One teacher, Dudal Ndolo emphasises, "We put them together so they can socialise, get to know each other... because at home, they are rejected..."

Unable to express herself until the age of three and facing numerous challenges at her previous school, Edith has shown significant improvement since her enrollment at Case Dominique. Her mum, Coco joyfully exclaims, "Today, I see a great evolution."

In the Republic of the Congo, social stigmas persist and individuals with autism are often referred to as "bewitched," "lost," or even "wizards." Such prejudices have led to familial conflicts and the ostracization of affected children. Sister Louvouandou, a nun and staff member at Case Dominique, laments, "Today, unfortunately, there are many couples who separate because of the autism of a child."

In hopes of eradicating these stigmas surrounding autism, Case Dominique has launched an awareness movement. Campaigning on the street with leaflets, Sister Louvouandou and her team help the public understand, "that autism is a natural phenomenon that exists and that we must welcome it with a lot of respect."

Despite these efforts, discrimination remains prevalent with children often being denied access on public transportation. Nevertheless, Case Dominique is at least one place these children are embraced and thrive.