Dr. Susan Wamithi is a Consultant Developmental Paediatrician and Assistant Professor at Aga

Khan University Medical College, East Africa. Dr. Wamithi attended Birmingham-Southern

College, Alabama for her undergraduate degree. She proceeded to St. George’s University,

Grenada for medical school. Dr. Wamithi completed her paediatric residency training at Aga

Khan University in Kenya. She proceeded to the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital -

University of Toronto for her developmental paediatrics fellowship. Dr. Wamithi is the

Chairperson - Eastern Africa Academy of Childhood Disability (EAACD) and Early Childhood

Development Project Director and technical advisor - Kenya Paediatric Association (KPA). Dr.

Wamithi is a member of the International Pediatrics Association (IPA) Early Childhood

Development Committee and the Governing Council of the International Alliance of Academies

of Childhood Disability (IAACD). Dr. Wamithi was recently appointed as the Chair of the Early

Childhood Committee for the East, Central and Southern Africa College of Paediatrics

(ECSACPACH). She established the first developmental paediatrics service at Aga Khan

University Hospital, Nairobi. Dr. Wamithi has contributed to internationally recognized

resources such as the Global Child Health section of the Nelson Textbook 22nd edition. The

Nelson's Textbook of Pediatrics is the global primary resource that pediatricians, residents and

medical students turn to for reference. Dr. Wamithi has collaborated locally and internationally

on COVID-19 taskforces, research projects and educational sessions in the field of childhood

disability.

Sally J. Rogers, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, University of California Davis is a licensed psychologist and developmental scientist who has been the principal investigator of many early autism research projects focusing on developmental characteristics of early autism and delivery of effective interventions to very young autistic children, including parent implemented interventions. . Her evidence-based intervention with Geri Dawson, the Early Start Denver Model, is used by parents and professionals around the world. She has received many career awards from universities and professional societies, and has published over 300 papers, chapters, videos, and books. She is in the top 1% of Clarivate Analytics Highly Cited Researchers.

Dr. Ajamu Nkosi is a Co-Founder of The International Behavior Analysis

Organization and Southern Behavioral Group. He is a Board-Certified Behavior

Analyst with a Ph.D. degree from Temple University in Educational Psychology.

Dr. Nkosi is currently an active member of several organizations devoted to

upholding the professional practice of applied behavior analysis. These

organizations include The American Psychological Association, The Association of

Behavior Analysis, The Association for Contextual and Behavioral Science, The

Georgia Association of Behavior Analysis, The Florida Association of Behavior

Analysis and The International Behavior Analysis Organization. Dr. Nkosi has

publications in The Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, International Journal of

Behavioral Consultation and Therapy, and the recent book, Case Studies in School

Psychology: Behavioral Interventions for Effective Problem-Solving. His research

interests focus on learning theory, teaching and instruction, the functional

assessment and treatment of severe problem behavior, and school consultation. He

is the author of 4 books including the groundbreaking Behavior Analytic

Consultation to Schools and has delivered numerous presentations nationally as we as internationally.

Dr. Mayo is the Founder and Executive Director of the Ann Sullivan Center of Peru (CASP) in Lima Peru, which serves over 400 students with different abilities and their families to help them become independent, productive and happy.

She is an adjust professonr in the Department of Applied Behavioral Science at the University of Kansas, where she earned her Master's and doctoral degrees. She has given lectures in 25 countries as well as United Nations and World Health Organization. She has received numerous awards and recognition for her International wotk with and for people with different abilities. Dr. Mayo, however, considers the success achieved by the students and their families at CASP as her greatest reward and acknowledges that it takes a team of professionals and parents to achieve this success. Her dream is to make the world a better place for people with different abilities and their families.

Dr. Jane Paul is a Pediatrics Neurodevelopmental Specialist and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA-D) specializing in Assessments and developing treatment programs for children diagnosed with Autism and other Neurodevelopmental conditions as well as at risk children. Her services include: Early intervention, curriculum development, staff and caregiver training, social skills training, Adaptive Skills Training, systems analysis, and functional behavior analysis. She has served as the Chief Executive Officer and Director of Clinical Services for Excella Developmental Services since 2010. She is also the Founder and instructor of EDS Learning Institute, a non-profit organization that provides training for professionals and parents of children diagnosed with Neurodevelopmental conditions. Through her work, she has been privileged to serve children and families nationally and internationally. Dedicated to placing families first, Jane embodies her organizations' leadership and the outstanding quality services. Her deep curiosity, emphasis on authentic relationships and commitment to excellence has been crucial in driving growth in her work.

Faby is a passionate autism advocate, a dedicated mother and clinical director, and the founder and CEO of the nonprofit Autism Bird. Drawing from her own experience as a mother of a child with autism, Faby has made it her life’s work to combine personal insight with clinical expertise, crafting an approach rooted in science and compassion.

As the founder of three clinics in the U.S. and Africa, along with a special education school, Faby is changing the lives of children with autism. Through ABA, she empowers children to gain independence, while training and certifying behavior analysts and therapists in both French and English. She also mentors and equips parents, helping them become the strongest advocates for their children's future.

Driven by an unwavering belief in the potential of every child, Faby is a tireless advocate for disability rights in Guinea, working to reshape policies and create a more inclusive society. Her mission to transform autism care is not just about treatment, but about building a movement of empowered families, professionals, and communities worldwide.

Dr. Pearl Inonge Nalishuwa Lifanu is a distinguished public policy expert, disability advocate, and founder of the Disability Resources Foundation in Zambia. With a Doctorate in Public Administration, she has dedicated her career to bridging the gap between policy and practice, particularly in the context of disability services. Dr. Lifanu’s work is deeply inspired by her personal journey of growing up with a sister who had cerebral palsy, which shaped her passion for creating inclusive systems and sustainable support frameworks for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

As the author of Breaking Barriers: Perspectives on Disability Policy, Dr. Lifanu has provided critical insights into the challenges of policy implementation and the lived experiences of families navigating disability services in Africa. Her book is a culmination of extensive research, case studies, and interviews with policymakers, service providers, and parents, offering a blueprint for sustainable, inclusive practices.

Through the Disability Resources Foundation, Dr. Pearl has spearheaded transformative initiatives, including mobility and accessibility programs, food and nutrition support, and caregiver empowerment training. Her organization has become a lifeline for low-income families raising children with developmental disabilities, helping them overcome societal barriers and achieve greater independence.

Aligned with the congress theme, Bridging Knowledge and Practice: A Framework for Sustainable Autism Care in Africa, Dr. Pearl’s work emphasizes the importance of translating research and policy into actionable solutions. Her contributions focus on empowering communities, raising awareness, and fostering collaboration between stakeholders to build sustainable support systems for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities across the continent.

Dr. Pearl’s passion and dedication make her a compelling voice in the conversation about creating a more inclusive and equitable future for individuals with developmental disabilities in Africa.

Dr Clarke is a Pediatric Epileptologist and the Chief of the Comprehensive Epilepsy Program at Dell Children's Medical Center. He is a board diplomat of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (child neurology, epilepsy, and neurophysiology) and the American Board of Clinical Neurophysiology. He has done research in medical and surgical epilepsy management with a recent focus on reducing disparities and inequities in epilepsy care. He is an elected member of the North American Commission of the International League Against Epilepsy, the American Epilepsy Society’s Disparities and Advocacy task forces, President of the Epilepsy Society of the Caribbean, a selected member of the International Affairs Committee and associate chair of the Child Neurology Society’s 2024 conference and Secretary/Treasurer of the National Associations of Epilepsy Center Board. He has received distinguished awards including the International Ambassador for Epilepsy Award and the national J Kiffin Penry Award for Excellence in Epilepsy Care. He and his colleagues advocate for regional, national, and international equity in epilepsy care delivery.

Gyasi Burks-Abbott, MS, is on the faculty of the LEND (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and related Disabilities) Program at Boston Children’s Hospital and UMass Boston’s Institute for Community Inclusion. He serves on the boards, committees, and commissions of many autism and disability organizations; and he’s written for several autism and disability-related publications. Gyasi graduated from Macalester College in St. Paul, MN with a BA in English and psychology, and he has an M.S. in Library and Information Science from Simmons University in Boston. Gyasi tells the story of how he became an autism self-advocate in his autobiography/memoir titled My Mother’s Apprentice: An Autistic’s Rites of Passage.

Eva Naputuni Nyoike OGW

MSc. Special Needs Education

Eva is a distinguished expert in special needs education, a passionate advocate for inclusion, and a trailblazer in the field of neurodiversity. She holds a Master’s degree in Special Needs Education from Walden University, MN, USA, and an undergraduate degree in Special Education from Lock Haven University, PA, USA.

As the founder and director of Acorn Special Tutorials (www.acorn.co.ke), Eva has dedicated her career to transforming the lives of individuals with neurodiversity. Acorn provides early intervention services for children with disabilities and has pioneered reverse inclusion, fostering learning environments where neurodivergent and neurotypical peers grow together. The institution also offers specialized teacher training and professional development in inclusive education, equipping educators with the skills to support diverse learners.

Eva is the author of An Introduction to Working with Students with Special Needs, a comprehensive guide for teachers navigating inclusive education. Her expertise has been instrumental in shaping Kenya’s Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), where she served as a consultant in designing frameworks and teaching resources for learners with special needs.

With over 35 years of experience, Eva has been a formidable force in advocacy and policymaking at the national level. She played a pivotal role in establishing Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital’s Child Development Centre (CDC), introducing a multidisciplinary approach to early diagnosis and intervention for children with neurodiversity. Her influence extends regionally, as the only trained Auditory Integration Training Practitioner (www.aitinstitute.org) in East Africa.

Eva’s leadership and expertise have earned her prominent advisory roles. She served as Technical Advisor to Her Excellency Margaret Kenyatta, former First Lady of Kenya, on disability issues, and currently chairs the Kenya Private Schools Association’s Special Needs Education Subcommittee. Additionally, she was appointed by His Excellency Uhuru Kenyatta, former President of Kenya, as a Member of the Selection Panel for the Teachers Service Commission.

A dedicated advocate, Eva has been featured on radio, television, and online platforms, such as EDU Channel, national TV stations, and webinars, where she addresses issues affecting children with disabilities and their families. She is a mobilizer for disability rights, having spearheaded mass registration campaigns in collaboration with the National Council for Persons with Disabilities.

Eva is deeply committed to empowering mothers of children with disabilities, equipping them with skills to support their children and engage in self-sustaining income-generating projects. As CEO of the Africa Special Needs Education Network (ASNEN) (www.asnen.org), she leads a team developing a comprehensive caregiver manual for parents raising children with disabilities. She also played a key role as the lead consultant in organizing the 1st and 2nd UBUNTU Special Needs and Inclusive Education Conferences.

Her work has been widely recognized in national and international media, including a feature in Nation Lifestyle Magazine, highlighting her relentless efforts to create safe, inclusive spaces for children with disabilities. In recognition of her outstanding contributions, Eva has been awarded the Order of the Grand Warrior (OGW), one of Kenya’s highest honors for service and excellence in education and advocacy.

A visionary leader and change-maker, Eva continues to drive forward the agenda for inclusive education, policy reform, and empowerment of neurodivergent individuals, ensuring that every child, regardless of ability, has the opportunity to thrive.

Dr. Ashley Knochel is a board-certified behavior analyst with over 10 years of experience in the field of applied behavior analysis. As the founder and clinical director of Africare LLC in Nairobi, Kenya, Dr. Ashley specializes in early intervention for individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities and positive behavior interventions and supports (PBIS). She has a wealth of experience and a strong academic background, having published numerous journal articles and a book chapter on culturally responsive assessment and treatment of autism spectrum disorder. Her work also addresses implicit bias and disproportional discipline in public education settings. Dr. Ashley is deeply passionate about culturally responsive dissemination and enhancing the acceptability and sustainability of behavior analytic practice within African contexts. Her goal is to ensure every child with autism across Africa has access to high-quality, evidence-based therapy services that can truly make a difference. Committed to training the next generation of behavior analysts, Dr. Ashley aims to empower local professionals to provide impactful therapy and build a sustainable framework for neurodivergent care in the region. Through her dedication to both direct service and professional development, she is working to transform the field of behavior analysis across East Africa.

Dr. Chengo is a leqading advocate for epilepsy awareness and improved care in resource-limited settings. As the co-founder of the the Foundation of people with Epilepsy, Kenya and assistant Chairman of the National Epilepsy Coordination Committee (NECC), he champions patient rights, advances research, and combats stigma across Africa and beyond.