Lawmaker supports children with developmental conditions
The lawmaker representing Eti-Osa Constituency 2 in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Gbolahan Yishawu, has pledged sustained support for people living with neurodevelopmental conditions.
Yishawu pledged support for the second edition of a free two-day therapy outreach organised by the GOY Foundation and Cradle Lounge Special Needs Initiative in Lagos.
The outreach provides screening, professional guidance and support for people and families affected by conditions including autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and intellectual disabilities.
Yishawu said the programme was open to people of different ages, urging members of the public to treat people with developmental conditions with care and respect.
He also called for effective implementation and enforcement of disability laws to promote greater inclusion.
The lawmaker said 43 people had been attended to as of the previous day, adding that more beneficiaries were expected to participate in the programme.
He said he was willing to collaborate with organisations and professionals to extend the initiative to more people in the community.
Yishawu said the outreach was part of his broader efforts in education, vocational training and empowerment, promising to sustain programmes aimed at improving the welfare of his constituents.
The programme offers participants access to professionals in clinical psychology, audiology, speech and language therapy, nutrition and behavioural support.
Caregivers are also encouraged to join support groups where they can continue to receive guidance after the outreach.
A beneficiary, Fatima Hassan, said she brought her five-year-old son, Taye Hassan, to Cradle Lounge two years ago because of speech difficulties.
She said Taye had since made significant progress and could now speak, describing the development as a positive outcome of the support he received.
The founder of Cradle Lounge Special Needs Initiative, Shalapia Azazi, said the programme evolved from a four-day outreach held in 2024.
Azazi said the organisation planned to adopt a school and provide professional support to improve services for children with additional needs.
She also appealed to journalists to use respectful language when reporting issues involving people with disabilities, warning that stigmatising reports could discourage families from seeking help.
According to her, Cradle Lounge, established in 2020, has supported hundreds of families through its various initiatives.
The organisers said they were also exploring partnerships with special-needs schools to train teachers, provide professional visits and establish sustained support systems for children with developmental conditions.
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