MONROVIA, LIBERIA-President Joseph Boakai is urging citizens to treat people with autism and other developmental disorders with love, dignity, and respect.

President Boakai said:” Doing so will encourage citizens to embrace and value persons with mental disorders and deter acts of discrimination”.

The Liberian Leader made the call on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at the launch of the National Autism Awareness and Developmental Disabilities Initiative.

President Boakai reiterated his administration’s support for initiatives that promote autism awareness and other disability disorders.

He urged government institutions and lawmakers to ensure that children with disabilities have access to learning and livelihood opportunities.

The initiative was launched in partnership with the Wood System of Care and aims to increase awareness and understanding about Autism and other developmental disabilities in Liberia.

Autism is a condition that affects how a person communicates, learns, and connects with others.

At the launch, Liberia’s First Lady Kartumu Boakai called for a collective approach to ending discrimination against children with autism and other developmental disabilities.

Madam Boakai noted that with collective efforts, the government and its partners could be more effective in breaking barriers affecting the growth and development of people with autism.

The First Lady then urged the government and partners to translate commitments made during the launch of the initiative into action.

At the same time, the National Commission on Disability has recommitted to strengthening Liberia’s response to autism spectrum disorder and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

The Acting Executive Director of the Commission, Dr. Aaron Wright, described the initiative as an important step toward promoting disability inclusion in Liberia.

He called for inclusive education and improved access to healthcare, rehabilitation, and community-based services to increase awareness of the menace.

Dr. Wright also praised the Office of the First Lady for placing a key focus on the rights, needs, and welfare of people with autism and developmental disabilities.