Patience Makwele
Young Namibians are increasingly speaking out about neurodiversity, disability inclusion and children’s mental development.
They call for better support systems and awareness across the country.
The discussions come amid growing concern over the lack of specialised neurodevelopmental therapy services in Namibia, which forces some families to seek treatment outside the country.
Author and Rory Kostin Foundation founder Anthea Kostin has become one of the voices driving awareness after publicly sharing her family’s experience raising a child living with a brain injury.
Kostin’s daughter, Rory, suffered a severe brain injury after contracting bacterial meningitis as a baby. Kostin said the experience exposed major gaps in Namibia’s healthcare and therapy systems.
“We had to leave the country to access the kind of neurodevelopmental therapies that could truly help our child. That reality opened my eyes to how many families are struggling silently,” Kostin said.
What started as a personal journey later became advocacy work focused on disability inclusion, therapy support and representation for neurodiverse children.
Through the Rory Kostin Foundation and Beyond Barriers Paediatric, Kostin now works with other advocates to raise awareness about neurological conditions affecting children while pushing for more accessible therapy services in Namibia.
Her advocacy has also sparked conversations among young Namibians studying psychology, social work, education and healthcare.
University of Namibia psychology student Selma Ndinelago said many young people are becoming more aware of how misunderstood neurodevelopmental conditions remain in communities.
“In Namibia, many people still confuse neurodiversity with bad behaviour or poor parenting. There is still a lot of stigma around children who learn differently or require specialised support,” she said.
Ndinelago said social media and youth-led conversations are helping reduce shame around disability and mental health.
“Young people are starting to educate themselves more. We are seeing more youth discussing autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), speech delays and childhood trauma openly, which was rare a few years ago,” she said.
The growing awareness also comes as many young parents struggle to find affordable therapy, specialised schools and support services for children living with neurological conditions.
Education student and youth mentor Alweendo Petrus said inclusion in schools remains a major challenge.
“There are children who are excluded from classrooms simply because teachers are not trained to support neurodiverse learners. Some families are forced to hide their children because society can still be very judgemental,” said Petrus.
She said schools and communities need more awareness campaigns to help young people understand disability inclusion.
“Representation matters because children deserve to see themselves reflected in books, schools and society,” she said.
Windhoek-based paediatrician Valencia Castro, who specialises in child development, said early intervention remains one of the most important factors in improving outcomes for neurodiverse children. He said many families in Namibia still miss that opportunity because of delayed diagnosis and limited access to care.
“Most neurodevelopmental conditions respond best when identified early, ideally within the first years of life,” Castro said.
“However, we often see children only once they start school, when support could have been introduced much earlier. By then, they may already be struggling emotionally, socially and academically.”
He said the shortage of trained therapists and multidisciplinary teams is placing pressure on families and healthcare services.
“We are dealing with a system where paediatricians, speech therapists, occupational therapists and psychologists are not working in sufficient numbers or in coordinated ways. That makes continuity of care very difficult, especially for families who cannot afford private services or travel outside the country,” she said.
Last year, Kostin published a children’s book series aimed at promoting confidence, inclusion and self-worth among neurodiverse children.
“I wanted children like Rory to see themselves in stories. Every child deserves to feel seen, valued and included.”
Creative arts student and aspiring filmmaker Tuhadeleni Nghipondoka said storytelling is becoming an important tool for advocacy and social change among young Namibians entering creative industries.
“For years, disability stories were often hidden or treated with pity. Now young creators are trying to tell these stories with dignity, honesty and humanity,” she said.
Nghipondoka said young people are increasingly using film, podcasts, photography and digital media to amplify conversations around mental health and inclusion.
“We cannot build an inclusive society if we continue ignoring the experiences of neurodiverse children and families,” he said.
Despite growing awareness, advocates say Namibia still faces a shortage of trained specialists in neurodevelopmental therapy and paediatric rehabilitation.
Kostin described the situation as urgent and said more investment is needed in early intervention programmes, therapy services and specialised training.
“This is not just a healthcare issue. It is a human issue. Families should not feel abandoned simply because their child requires specialised care. Representation isn’t a trend; it’s a necessity. Inclusive stories remind children that they belong, that they matter and that their voices deserve to be heard,” Kostin said.
