Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) has again shown its commitment to supporting people living with autism by hosting its 16th Annual Autism Conference on Monday, July 27 and Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at the Muson Centre in Onikan, Lagos.
The conference was held under the theme, “Acceptance in Action: From Family to Classroom to Workplace to Public Spaces.” It brought together parents, teachers, doctors, employers, government officials, autism experts and people living with autism to discuss how everyone can help build a more inclusive society.
This year’s conference focused on moving beyond simply creating awareness about autism. Speakers said it is now time for people to take real action by accepting autistic individuals and giving them equal opportunities at home, in schools, at work and in public places.
GTCO Group Chief Executive Officer, Segun Agbaje, said creating an inclusive society is everyone’s responsibility. According to him, although awareness about autism has improved over the past 16 years, more needs to be done to ensure families, schools, workplaces and government institutions provide the support autistic people need to live full and meaningful lives.
One of the major attractions at the conference was the presence of local and international experts in autism care. They spoke on important topics such as early diagnosis, speech and communication, behaviour support, inclusive education, mental health, support for caregivers and employment opportunities for autistic adults. They also encouraged society to focus on the strengths and abilities of autistic people instead of only their challenges.
Family support was another key area of discussion. Experts advised parents to create loving and supportive homes for their children and to work closely with teachers and healthcare professionals. They also stressed the importance of taking care of parents and caregivers, who often face emotional and physical stress while caring for autistic children.
Education was also given special attention during the conference. Speakers called for more inclusive schools where teachers are trained to support children with autism. They encouraged schools to provide learning environments that allow autistic children to develop their full potential alongside other students.
The conference also discussed the need for more employment opportunities for autistic adults. Experts urged employers to create workplaces that welcome neurodiverse employees and provide reasonable support that allows them to perform at their best. They noted that many autistic people have valuable skills that can benefit businesses when given the opportunity.
Another highlight of the event was the participation of autistic individuals, who shared their personal experiences. Their stories helped participants better understand the daily challenges they face and why acceptance and inclusion are important.
To further support families, GTCO announced free one-on-one consultations with developmental pediatricians, psychologists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, behaviour analysts and parent counsellors. The consultations, holds from July 29 to August 1 at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja, will offer parents professional advice on diagnosis, treatment and long-term care for children living with autism.
The two-day conference featured keynote speeches, panel discussions, workshops, question-and-answer sessions and networking opportunities. These sessions allowed parents, professionals and advocates to exchange ideas and learn practical ways to improve the lives of autistic individuals.
As the conference ended, participants agreed on one important message: autism acceptance should not stop at words. They called on families, schools, employers, communities and government to work together to remove barriers and create a society where autistic people are accepted, respected and given equal opportunities to succeed.
Now in its 16th year, the GTCO Annual Autism Conference remains one of Africa’s leading platforms for promoting autism awareness, acceptance and inclusion.
