Mrs Joyce Onafowokan
Mrs Joyce Onafowokan is a certified Early Intervention professional
READ MOREMrs Joyce Onafowokan is a certified Early Intervention professional
READ MOREExecutive Director, Blazing Trails International Center (BTIC) Autism Symposium Co-Developer. Evergreen Professor at Wuhan Polytechnic University.
READ MOREDenise Hetherington recently retired from working as a Speech Pathologist for the Chicago Public Schools.
READ MOREDr. Adeola Fayemi is the Director International Center, Office of International Programs Auburn University in Alabama, USA
READ MOREDirector, Patrick Speech & Languages Centre, Lagos
READ MOREChild and Adolescent Psychiatrist in the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).
READ MORECamille Proctor is the Executive Director and Founder of The Color of Autism Foundation
READ MOREDr Campbell (MBBS, MWACP, FMCPsych) is a Consultant Psychiatrist at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi araba, Lagos
READ MOREDr. Agboola Paul (M.B.Ch.B, FWACP, MPH) is a Chief Consultant Child Psychiatrist with the Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro Abeokuta Ogun State
READ MOREMr. Ade Otubanjo is a Nigerian-born, licensed Speech-Language Pathologist.
READ MORENANDI D. NELSON, LMSW, BCBA,
READ MORETomi qualified as a Speech and Language Therapist at the University College London.
READ MOREMrs. Bolanle Adewole an Autism Specialist is the founder and executive director of The Learning Place Centre (TLPCentre)
READ MOREDr. Maymunah Yusuf Kadiri is a multiple award winning Mental Health Physician
READ MOREDr. Ihyembe is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Pediatrics
READ MOREDr. (Mrs) Doris Izuwah is a Registered Medical Doctor (Pediatrician)
READ MOREDr Noimot Balogun is the founder and Director of Programs at Linka.NG
READ MOREDr Funmilola Bukola Omotayo PhD, CPsychol, AFBPsS is the Director and Principal Psychologist of New Analysis Associates Psychology Service (NAAPS).
READ MOREDr. Grace Ojeamiren-Bamigboye is a Consultant Speech-Language Pathologist
READ MOREMrs Joyce Onafowokan is a certified Early Intervention professional
Mrs Joyce Onafowokan is a certified Early Intervention professional and a passionate advocate of children living with disabilities. She started her career in Nigeria as a Public Relations Officer at the Delta Steel Company before leaving for the United States of America where she rendered 26 years meritorious years.
She served as Service Coordinator at the Massachusetts Department of Mental Retardation and the Program Supervisor for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children in Massachusetts. More of her services were recorded at the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children and Healthy Families – a program for pregnant teens and teen parents.
She was educated at Federal Government College Warri and obtained her first degree from the University of Ife before receiving a Master’s Degree from Smith College Northampton, Massachusetts in Education and Child Study.
Mrs Onafowokan has received various awards for her contribution to her profession and is married; blessed with two sons and a daughter, who have between them, attended London School of Economics, Amherst College, Harvard and Columbia University.
She is an avid reader and loves to travel and dance.
Executive Director, Blazing Trails International Center (BTIC) Autism Symposium Co-Developer. Evergreen Professor at Wuhan Polytechnic University.
Dr. Anna Lamikanra, Executive Director, Blazing Trails International Center (BTIC) Autism Symposium Co-Developer. She is also the Evergreen Professor at Wuhan Polytechnic University. This is her fifth Orange Ribbon Initiative Symposium for GT Bank. With many years experience as a researcher, tenured professor, community advocate and training innovator, Dr. “Lam” works to carve-out opportunities for people with disabilities. She has published many articles on educational reform.
Dr. Lam is interested in vocational education, training para-professionaland developing socializing programs for youth in transition and individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. She developed the curriculum for online certificate programs and a customer service training program for individuals with disabilities.
Recently, Dr. Lamikanra presented at the World Psychiatry Association on the Orange Ribbon Initiative and the status of ASD research in Nigeria. Dr. Lamikanra earned the Ph. D from Iowa State University in Technology & Social Change and Global Education Policy. She is married to Dr. Olusola Lamikanra and they have a son, Olayinka.
Denise Hetherington recently retired from working as a Speech Pathologist for the Chicago Public Schools.
Denise Hetherington has had the privilege of working as a Speech Pathologist for the Chicago Public Schools. She has serviced students from preschool to 12th grade diagnosed with speech disorders as the primary disability and speech as a related service, to include populations diagnosed as Learning Disabled, Behavior Disordered, Emotionally Disturbed, Trainable Mentally Handicapped, Severe to Profound Cognitively Delayed, Hearing Impaired, Selective Mutism, Dyslexic, Hearing Impaired, Attention Deficit, and Autistic.
Denise Hetherington received her Bachelor’s Degree in Communications at University of Illinois Chicago Circle in 1978 and a Master’s Degree in Speech Pathology from University of Iowa in 1981. Denise Hetherington recently retired from the Chicago Public Schools June 27th, 2015. After 34 years of service, she is looking forward to utilizing and sharing her knowledge and experiences to improve communication skills for individuals locally and abroad.
Dr. Adeola Fayemi is the Director International Center, Office of International Programs Auburn University in Alabama, USA
She was previously the Director of Student Services at the Florida Department of Education, she has over thirty years of professional experience in teaching, support services and leading diversity and inclusion management, in universities, state governments, K-12 education and corporate consulting, nationally and internationally.
Dr. Fayemi is a well-versed leader in human resource development, court certified mediation, compliance administration and enforcement of federal, state and local laws, including the Americans with Disability Act (ADA, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and other laws designed to protect the rights of students with disabilities.
Prior to her work in Florida, Dr. Fayemi was a teacher at the University of Lagos International School and at the Army School of Education in Kwara State Nigeria. She is a constant advocate and believer that all children and adults can learn and rise to spectacular heights given the right conditions.
Director, Patrick Speech & Languages Centre, Lagos
Mrs. Dotun Akande, a behaviour Analyst, is the Founder and Director of Patrick Speech and Languages Centre, (Patricks) Ikeja, Lagos.
It can rightly be said that she revolutionized the Autism awareness campaign in Nigeria. Today, Patricks stands tall as the pioneer Special Needs Centre for the education of children with Autism, offering services such as speech, occupational, music and behaviour therapy. The Centre also offers social skills building and play therapy using best practices. Mrs. Dotun Akande, with her cerebral team, have successfully worked with and integrated over 50 children into mainstream school system and has given employment to 4 adults with Autism even as she plans a new school facility that can accommodate and help more children and adults.
She holds a B.Sc. degree in Economics, and has over the years attended numerous training programmes on Autism and other developmental disorders at various International Institutions. She also qualified as a Behaviour Analyst from the Florida Institute of Technology USA. She is an advanced Certified Autism Specialist (ACAS), with Patricks being the first Nigerian Autism Centre to be registered with the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES).
Her deep involvement with Autism Awareness campaigns in Nigeria has resulted in various stakeholders engagement which includes the GTBank Orange Ribbon initiative, of which she is one of the Lead coordinator and facilitator.
Mrs. Dotun Akande, a Cherie Blair Mentee, was also the Vlisco Woman for the years 2015 to 2017. An honour bestowed on her for the contributions she made to the growth of Autism awareness and management in Nigeria. Mrs Dotun Akande has also featured in the first “W Power of 100” and “WimBiz Inspire Me 2”, featuring leading Nigerian women who have excelled in their various endeavours. Her desire for continuous learning and improvement led her to enroll in the John Maxwell Leadership Program to enable her continue her national advocacy on people living with disability.
Mrs. Dotun Akande is happily married with three children.
Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist in the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).
Dr. Yewande O. Oshodi MBBS(Lagos), MPH(Lagos), Mphil(Stellenbosch), FMCPsych (Nigeria), Cert Child & Adol. Psych (SA)
Dr Oshodi is a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist in the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). She is also a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Psychiatry of the College of Medicine University of Lagos, Nigeria.
Yewande Oshodi’s main area of research interest is in the field Child and adolescent psychiatry. Her specific research activities have been in adolescent trauma, autism spectrum disorders school mental health and adolescent substance abuse. Dr Oshodi has been the lead researcher on funded research grants from the University of Lagos central research committee and also from the Lagos State research and development committee.
Dr Oshodi contributed centrally to the development of the Centre for Autism and Neurodevelopmental disorders (CAND-Do) of the College of Medicine university of Lagos. CAND-Do has a key focus of driving accurate ASD diagnosis and care while also increasing autism research, advocacy and training.
Dr Oshodi continues to play an active role in advocacy as she utilizes numerous platforms to create awareness of child and adolescent mental health challenges and preventative strategies which can be deployed within various sectors in the community. Dr Oshodi is the current President of the Association for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professions in Nigeria (ACAPAN).
Camille Proctor is the Executive Director and Founder of The Color of Autism Foundation
Camille Proctor is the Executive Director and Founder of The Color of Autism Foundation.
In 2006, she gave birth to her second child, a son named Ari who was diagnosed with PDD NOS at age 2. Unfortunately, with the diagnosis there was no preparation for the cost of therapy and care for her son. The diagnosis forced this single mom to become a stayat-home mom, who emptied out her 401k on therapy and care for her child. Spending her days in speech therapy, occupational therapy, and every therapy in between.
Because little is understood about autism, information and resources are hard to come by, especially for families of color. There is a huge disparity of care and support services in the African American community. Because of that, in 2009, Proctor launched The Color of Autism, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advocacy,awareness and knowledge among Black parents, connecting families to local services, and providing one-to-one support.
Dr Campbell (MBBS, MWACP, FMCPsych) is a Consultant Psychiatrist at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi araba, Lagos
She is also a member of the Neuro-developmental and Autism Resource Centre (NARC) committee of the College of Medicine, University of Lagos. She is presently overseeing the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Unit- a position she has held for almost 2years working with children and adolescents with autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders
She has over a decade experience as a doctor. She began a career in Psychiatry nine years ago through the residency programme which she completed in less than six years. She is a member of the West African College of Physicians and a fellow of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria.
Her passion in psychiatry started in her second year at the University when she developed an interest in adolescent psychiatry. This she believed will enable her to help adolescents having crises negotiating through this phase. Her interest and tenacity made her outstanding during her residency programme when she obtained the Egerton Luke Prize as the best part one (membership) candidate in Psychiatry of West African College of Physicians. This drive is still fresh and keeps her going.
Her interest is not only limited to child and adolescent psychiatry but spans through other aspects of psychiatry with a keen interest in rehabilitation of chronic medical and psychiatric conditions. She has conducted series of research in these areas with many outreaches across different communities and age groups.
Dr. Agboola Paul (M.B.Ch.B, FWACP, MPH) is a Chief Consultant Child Psychiatrist with the Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro Abeokuta Ogun State
He has been in the service of the hospital since 2007. He had his residency training program in Federal Psychiatric Hospital Calabar Cross River State where he became a fellow of the West African College of Physician in psychiatry in 2006. Dr Agboola was appointed as Honorary Consultant psychiatrist with East London Mental Health (NHS) Trust and worked at Coborn Center for Adolescent Mental Health Plaistow, East London in 2011. He has been involved in past and ongoing studies in Child psychiatry in Nigeria with some publications in local and international journals.
Dr. Agboola is an associate lecturer with Olabisi Onabanjo University Ogun state responsible for training of medical students in mental health based on the clinical experience acquired both at home and abroad. He is a member of various medical associations locally and abroad including the Association of America Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry since 2004.
Dr Agboola is married with children and he is currently one of the leading clinicians in child and adolescent mental health services in the country.
Mr. Ade Otubanjo is a Nigerian-born, licensed Speech-Language Pathologist.
He received his undergraduate education from The City University of New York, one of the largest public universities in New York City. He attended New York University where he completed a Masters in Speech-Language and Hearing.
For the past six years, Ade has run Simply Speaking SLP, PLLC, providing treatment for children with developmental disorders associated with Autism and other communication-related disorders (e.g. Down’s Syndrome, stroke patients, stutterers, etc.). Ade has worked with the Association For MetroArea Autistic Children Inc. (AMAC, New York), providing speech therapy and preparing to preschool and school age children. Additionally, he works as a therapeutic consultant within the New York City Department of Education public schools. Ade works closely with stroke patients, providing therapy and support to re-establish communication.
Over the last decade, Ade has received many awards and honors for his exceptional service to young people with special needs. He is a CUNY John F. Kennedy, Jr., Kennedy Fellow. The fellowship sponsored Ade’s first international trip to Trinidad, providing teacher training to educators and therapeutic strategies to parents with Autistic children. He currently serves as an active board member for My Goal Autism, a grass roots non-profit organization located in the New York-New Jersey Metropolitan area. Ade and My Goal Autism, in conjunction with the Ministry of Education in Ghana, have provided professional development and therapeutic support to educators, parents, and children with Autism and intellectual disabilities in Africa. Ade is also Co-Chair for Special Events and a Board member for the National Black Association for Speech-Language-Hearing.
NANDI D. NELSON, LMSW, BCBA,
She has sound knowledge regarding etiology, characteristics of autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability.
Ability to provide behavioral interventions to clients and families. Excellent communication and writing skills. Ability to tailor programming to client and family needs. Ability to build rapport with clients, families, and service providers. Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills.
Ability to teach behavioral analytic theory and concepts to RBT’s, aspiring BCBA’s, BCaBA’s, teachers/staff and parents. Objective: Obtain practical experience that will aid the development of my knowledge in the field of behavior analysis.
Tomi qualified as a Speech and Language Therapist at the University College London.
She is a registered Speech Therapist with the Health and Care Professions Council and a member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists. Tomi’s years of experience as a Speech Therapist has included paediatric work with pre schoolers, primary, and secondary school students within special and mainstream schools. In addition, she has worked within the NHS with adults who have learning difficulties and swallowing disorders.
Tomi specialises in working with preschool children and children with social communication difficulties (including (ASD). As well as working independently, Tomi currently works part time as a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist for children with ASD and ADHD for a local authority in London. She is trained to assess children’s social communication needs as part of a multiagency diagnostic team.
Additionaly, Tomi has a special interest in children with hearing impairments and has completed her BSL level 2 with the intention of continuing her studies and work within this field.
Mrs. Bolanle Adewole an Autism Specialist is the founder and executive director of The Learning Place Centre (TLPCentre)
Mrs. Bolanle Adewole an Autism Specialist is the founder and executive director of The Learning Place Centre (TLPCentre), as well as The Learning Place Montessori school, in Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria. She certified in the theory and practice of the primary Montessori methods from St. Nicholas Montessori Centre, London and in the Elementary Montessori methods from North American Montessori Centre, Canada. She further qualified as an Applied Behaviour Analyst from Florida Institute of Technology, USA. She believes no child should be left behind and that every child should be given an equal opportunity to learn and attain full potential. She continuously engages in the care and fluent integration of the differently able into mainstream schools. She creates and implements the use of Individual Educational Programs for challenged children and closely monitors the same for updates and reviews. She leads a team of experienced therapists and has worked with diverse categories of children for over two decades; she has extensively served them on three continents, Europe, North America and Africa. She attends various enriching educational courses and conferences to date and engages in various charitable outreach activities. To date, she has influenced the education of over 5,000 indigent children in Nigeria.
A renowned speaker and teacher, Bolanle, belongs to Professional bodies including Autism Society of West Africa (ASWA), Autism Society in USA, American Montessori Society (AMS), International Montessori Council (IMC), Association of Montessori Educators in Nigeria (AMEN)
Bolanle is happily married and blessed with two sons, one with Autism spectrum disorder.
Dr. Maymunah Yusuf Kadiri is a multiple award winning Mental Health Physician
Dr. Maymunah Yusuf Kadiri popularly referred to as “THE CELEBRITY SHRINK,” is a multiple award winning Mental Health Physician & Advocate. She is the Medical Director and Psychiatrist – In – Chief at Pinnacle Medical Services, Nigeria’s leading and foremost Psychology and Mental health clinic prominent in the application of innovative clinical approaches in the management/treatment of a wide range of psychological, emotional, and behavioural related disorders.
The founder of Pinnacle Health Radio, Africans #1 online health radio. Also, the founder of a non for profit organization, “Pinnacle Medicals SPEAKOUT INITIATIVE” which is geared towards creating awareness on psychological and mental health related problems in Nigeria and beyond.
As a forerunner in the practice of Mental health, Neurofeedback/Biofeedback therapy and other novel therapy techniques in Nigeria, she continues to be the most sought after
Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist in Nigeria and beyond.
She is a global affiliate of Work Place Options (United States and United Kingdom) and provides Critical Incidence Stress Management (CISM) and other forms of employee assistance programs to corporate organizations worldwide.
A trained and certified Rational Emotive and Cognitive Behavioural Therapist from Albert Ellis Institute, New York, and Beck’s Institute for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Philadephia, USA.
Her driving force is to live, to learn and to impact generations positively.
When not working as a Physician, she loves to tour the world, work on destructive innovations and talk fashion.
She is a member of several professional and social organizations locally and internationally. A motivational speaker, life coach, author and a mother of 3 lovely children.
Dr. Ihyembe is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Pediatrics
Dr. Ihyembe is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Oklahoma Child Study Center. She specializes in Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics.
Dr. Ihyembe is an American Board of Pediatrics certified Pediatrician who works with children with developmental disabilities. Her special interest is promoting academic success for children with special healthcare needs such as those affected by ADHD,autism, learning disorders, and behavioral issues.
Areas of Expertise: ADHD, Autism, Children with chronic illness/developmental disabilities, Pediatric behavior problems such as tantrums, feeding and toileting issues.
Dr. (Mrs) Doris Izuwah is a Registered Medical Doctor (Pediatrician)
Dr. (Mrs) Doris Izuwah is a Registered Medical Doctor (Pediatrician) – Senior Registrar Pediatrics @ NISA Premier HOSPITAL, Abuja).
She founded Our Lady of Guadalupe Health Foundation (OLG) / Autism center for Autism Care and Advocacy in June 2006. She has been the Clinical Director of OLG Health Foundation and Autism Centre since then.
She has organized numerous awareness campaigns and spear headed the first World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) celebrations in Abuja in 2008.
Her research work and oral presentations has won awards and some have been published.
She has also executed many projects and coordinated trainings, community services for indigent children and employment of youths in special needs.
She is currently in training to become a US Board Certified Behavioral Analyst. She is currently a US Board Certified & Registered Behavioral Technician, member Pediatric Association of Nigeria (PAN) and Assistant secretary to Child Neurology Society of Nigeria (CNSN).
Dr Noimot Balogun is the founder and Director of Programs at Linka.NG
Dr Noimot Balogun is the founder and Director of Programs at Linka.NG. She studied Dentistry at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos as well as a Masters of Science degree in Public health in the same institution. With the realization of the potential of communication as an innovation for health care delivery in the 21st century, Noimot went on to do a postgraduate diploma in Media and Communication at the Pan- Atlantic University where she finished as the best graduating student in Community relations option. She also completed the WHO/ UNFPA/World Bank program in Sexual and Reproductive health in 2015.
Noimot has presented abstracts at conferences such as the South African Public health Conference in 2013 and the Association of Public health Physicians in Nigeria Biennial conference in 2014.
In January 2018, Noimot was one of the 57 African researchers selected to participate in the 4 year Recirculate project in Health and Sanitation by the Lancaster University, UK. She is also among the 70 applicants selected for residency program in Research engagement at the Lancaster University in United Kingdom which will start in September 2018.
Linka.NG hopes to change narrative of health care through its focal areas; communication of published research to the public; Community relations training for formal and informal staff in health facilities, value chain aggregation for supply chain actors, and management of health promotion, community outreaches and stakeholders forum for clients.
Dr Funmilola Bukola Omotayo PhD, CPsychol, AFBPsS is the Director and Principal Psychologist of New Analysis Associates Psychology Service (NAAPS).
Dr Funmilola Bukola Omotayo PhD, CPsychol, AFBPsS is the Director and Principal Psychologist of New Analysis Associates Psychology Service (NAAPS). She is a Chartered Psychologist (CPsychol), an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society (AFBPsS) and a Registered Practitioner Psychologist on the Health Care Profession Council (HCPC), UK.
Dr Omotayo has a solid and enviable track record in teaching, learning and educational psychology practice. Her extensive experience spans over 35 years of work and covers the full scope of work undertaken by an Educational / Child Psychologist in educational and clinical settings in the United Kingdom. She has worked in many Local Authorities(LAs), Multi-professional Teams and the Primary Care Trust Child Development Centre in the UK; providing assessment and intervention for children and young people with complex needs and the entire spectrum of behaviour and learning difficulties. Her specialist areas include developmental disorders particularly; Autism Spectrum Disorder, cognitive and learning profiles and designing management interventions programs. She also provides psychological work in Nigeria; working with schools, training staff, assessing children and supporting families.
She is the co-founder of St Michael Associates (SMA), an organization devoted to the better life chances of the Black Minority Ethnic (BME) group in the UK. She was awarded the Centenary Award in the UK as one of the 100 notable Nigerians who has contributed to the development of African Communities in 2015. She is retired from service and currently the Lead Psychologist, NEMFLA (Supporting the Needs of Ethnic Minority Families Living with Autism) in seven London boroughs in the UK. The project is funded by The UK’s Big Lottery Fund.
Dr. Grace Ojeamiren-Bamigboye is a Consultant Speech-Language Pathologist
Dr. Grace Ojeamiren-Bamigboye is a Consultant Speech-Language Pathologist with about twenty-five years’ experience of working with children with special needs, and has a special interest in speech/language disorders and bilingualism (American Sign Language).
She completed her doctoral studies in Speech Pathology with The University of Ibadan and has a Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders from The University of Texas, Arlington, USA and a Certificate for the management of Cleft Palate Speech from Teachers College, Columbia University.
Grace Ojeamiren-Bamigboye has produced several published works including research papers and articles. She is registered with the Medical Rehabilitation Therapists (Registration) Board of Nigeria (www.mrtbnigeria.org.ng) and is the Public Relation Officer of Speech Pathology and Audiology Association of Nigeria (http://spaan.org.ng). Grace Ojeamiren-Bamigboye is a resource person to the National Economic Summit on Neuroscience and Early Childhood Development, and has received several awards in recognition of her longstanding and dedicated contributions to the Nigeria Autism Community and the field of Special Education Needs.