Autism advocate and social entrepreneur, Solape Azazi, has stated that advocacy is a long road, but she walks it for her son living with autism, for other children like him, and for the countless parents silently hoping for a change.
Azazi, writer and founder of the Cradle Lounge Special Needs Initiative, stated this in a recent interview published in the Saturday Tribune newspaper, where she revealed that she began her advocacy over eight years ago — first as a parent seeking help, then as an autism specialist and a certified behaviour analyst, and eventually as the founder of Cradle Lounge.
She said that when her son was diagnosed with autism at age three, she found herself navigating a system that was not designed for people like her.
She added that there was a lack of support, understanding, and access; and that if, with all her education and resources, she was struggling, what about the thousands of other families with no voice, tools, and direction?
“Autism chose me. Living with and loving someone with autism changes your worldview. Suddenly, you see the beauty and brilliance that society often overlooks. Autism became the lens through which I began to view disability rights, inclusion, and neurodiversity,” she said.
On the other hand, she described her son as her greatest teacher, adding that he is artistic, deeply intuitive, musically inclined, and has a heart that senses things words cannot capture.
“I want him to grow into an adult who feels safe being his authentic self. I want him to be supported, included, and respected in whatever field he chooses. Whether he becomes an artist, a chef, or a tech wizard, I want the world to adjust to him, not the other way around,” she said.
In light of this, she urged society to evolve, to see beyond deficits and recognise the strengths of people living with autism, stressing that neurodiversity is not a liability but a form of brilliance the world is only beginning to understand.
Azazi advised parents to throw away the idea of “fixing” their autistic child, emphasising that their child is not broken. She further advised parents to “See the child, not just the diagnosis.”
Speaking further on her advocacy work, she noted that what keeps her going is a sense of responsibility, the urgent need to fill the gap. She said that every time she sees a parent smile through tears of relief because someone finally gets it, she is reminded that her work matters.
Solape Azazi’s advocacy has taken her to many conferences and earned her notable certifications.
She was one of the speakers at the Guarantee Trust Holding Company (GTCO) 2025 Autism Conference recently held in Lagos, with the theme ‘From awareness to action: 15 years of advancing autism inclusion’, where she spoke on ‘From the stage to the streets’.
She was recently appointed as a national master trainer for the World Health Organisation (WHO) Caregiver Skills Training (CST) programme for children with developmental disorders and delays.
Her children’s book, ‘My Friend Has Autism’, helps young readers understand neurodiversity through friendship; and her documentary, ‘Echoes of Hope: Navigating Autism in Nigeria’, captures raw stories from families, professionals, and communities.
She revealed that she is working on her second children’s book titled ‘The Magical Market of Maraba’, which explores a young autistic girl’s sensory world and strengths.
“I am also developing a new documentary focused on post-diagnosis support, what happens ‘after’ the label. That is where the real struggle begins,” she added.
