Diana Ayoo
Leading the charge in transforming autism care for Kenya's neurodivergent community
In the bustling capital city of Nairobi, tucked away between commercial hubs and crowded streets in Shiko Road, Kilimani area, sits Ayira’s Café—an unassuming establishment that has quickly become a beacon of hope for Kenya’s neurodivergent community. Its founder, Diana Ayo, isn’t just a café owner. She is a certified behaviour analyst, mother of a neurodivergent child, and one of the few pioneers advocating for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy in a country where autism support services are sorely lacking.
Her personal journey—spurred by the challenges of raising a neurodivergent child—has led her to dedicate her life to making ABA therapy accessible to families across Kenya. And through Ayira’s Café, she’s proving that neurodivergent adults can thrive in inclusive workspaces, challenging widespread stigma along the way.
A mother’s journey into ABA therapy
Diana Ayo’s journey began, like many parents of autistic children, with confusion, frustration, and fear.
“When my child was diagnosed, I felt lost,” she recalls. “I didn’t know where to turn for help, and there was no clear pathway for treatment.”
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is often misunderstood in Kenya, where cultural perceptions can lead to misdiagnoses or, in some cases, families hiding their children out of fear of societal judgment.
Resources for parents are limited, and therapies such as ABA are virtually unheard of in many parts of the country.
But Diana Ayo refused to accept the lack of support as an option.
After extensive research, she discovered ABA therapy, an evidence-based approach that focuses on modifying behaviour through reinforcement.
Its methods, which break down complex skills into manageable steps, proved to be transformative for her child.
“We began seeing real progress. Simple things like communicating needs, following instructions, and reducing tantrums. It changed our lives,” she explains.
However, there was a problem: Kenya had very few, if any, certified ABA therapists.
Without formal education or training programs in the country, parents like Diana Ayo were left on their own to find resources.
Determined to change this, she decided to pursue certification herself, enrolling in ABA training programs through the Qualified Applied Behavior Analysis (QABA) and the International Behavior Analysis Organization (IBAO).
Her commitment took her abroad to complete the necessary education, all while balancing the demands of motherhood.
“I knew that if I didn’t bring ABA back to Kenya, countless other children like my own would miss out on life-changing support,” she says.
ABA therapy: A lifeline for neurodivergent children
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy is an evidence-based intervention designed to help neurodivergent individuals, particularly those on the autism spectrum, develop social, communication, and life skills.
By focusing on observable behaviour and analyzing its causes, ABA therapists work to teach new skills while reducing behaviors that interfere with a child’s ability to function.
Key features of ABA therapy include:
- Individualized treatment plans: Every child receives a tailored program based on their specific strengths and challenges.
- Positive reinforcement: Desired behaviors are encouraged through rewards, fostering motivation and engagement.
- Data-driven decision-making: Continuous data collection allows therapists to track progress and adjust interventions as needed.
- Skill generalization: ABA emphasizes teaching children to apply learned skills across different environments and situations, from school to home life.
ABA therapy has been widely recognized as one of the most effective treatments for children with ASD, particularly when introduced at a young age. However, in Kenya, access to such therapies is severely limited.
“There’s so much misinformation around autism here,” Diana Ayo says .
“Many people still believe it’s caused by witchcraft or that the child is cursed. That’s why it’s so important to raise awareness and bring scientifically backed treatments like ABA to the forefront.”
Building a bridge for Kenyan families
Upon completing her certification, Diana Ayo returned to Kenya with a mission: to make ABA therapy available to families who, like hers, felt lost in navigating the complexities of raising a neurodivergent child. But the obstacles she encountered were immense.
First, there was the issue of awareness. Many parents and even healthcare providers were unfamiliar with ABA therapy.
“Doctors would recommend vague therapies or send families to traditional healers. Very few understood how ABA could make a difference,” she explains.
Insurance companies also failed to recognize ABA as a legitimate form of treatment, leaving families to pay out of pocket for the services of the few certified professionals available.
Undeterred, Diana Ayo began offering private therapy sessions and workshops for parents, caregivers, and teachers.
She provided training on basic ABA principles, emphasizing the importance of early intervention and structured, data-driven approaches to skill development.
“I wanted to empower parents,” she says.
“They’re the ones who spend the most time with their children, so giving them the tools to apply ABA techniques at home is crucial.”
Through her work, she started to see small but significant changes.
Parents reported improvements in their children’s behaviour, communication, and daily living skills.
Some children who had been non-verbal began using words, while others who had struggled with social interaction were learning to play with peers.
The birth of Ayira’s Café: A hub of inclusion
But Diana Ayo knew that addressing childhood interventions wasn’t enough.
As her child grew, she began to wonder: what happens to neurodivergent individuals once they become adults?
“In Kenya, there’s almost no support for adults with autism or other neurodivergent conditions,” she explains.
“Once they age out of school, there are very few options for employment or community engagement,” Ayo added.
Determined to change this, she opened Ayira’s Café, named after her daughter, as a way to provide meaningful employment opportunities for neurodivergent adults.
The café, located in a lively part of Nairobi, serves more than just food—it serves as a living example of what inclusion can look like.
“We train our staff in social and vocational skills, many of which are based on ABA principles,” Diana Ayo says proudly.
The staff, composed largely of adults with autism, is involved in every aspect of the café’s operation, from preparing meals to serving customers.
Ayira’s Café has quickly become a community favourite, not just for its food but for its mission.
The café’s inclusive atmosphere has sparked conversations about neurodivergence and the potential of individuals who are often overlooked in the workforce.
“People come in, see the staff, and realize that neurodivergent individuals can work just as effectively as anyone else,” Diana Ayo explains.
“It’s about creating an environment where they feel supported and understood,” she added.
A new path forward
Despite the progress she’s made, Diana Ayo is quick to acknowledge that there’s still much work to be done.
The lack of formal ABA programs in Kenya means that demand far outweighs the supply of certified professionals.
And without government or insurance support, many families simply can’t afford the therapy their children need.
But she remains optimistic. Through her advocacy, Diana Ayo is working to get ABA therapy recognized by the Kenyan healthcare system.
She’s pushing for insurance companies to include it in their coverage plans and for universities to offer ABA certification programs locally.
“I want to build a future where every neurodivergent child in Kenya has access to the support they need,” she says.
“It shouldn’t matter how much money their parents have or where they live.”
Her vision extends beyond childhood interventions.
Through initiatives like Ayira’s Café, she’s advocating for long-term support for neurodivergent adults, ensuring they can lead fulfilling lives and contribute meaningfully to society.
Changing minds, changing lives
For families like Diana Ayo’s, ABA therapy has been nothing short of life-changing.
But as more parents discover the benefits of this evidence-based approach, the demand for trained professionals continues to grow.
She hopes to inspire more Kenyans to pursue certification and expand access to ABA therapy across the country.
In the meantime, she continues to offer one-on-one sessions, group workshops, and hybrid models, all aimed at empowering families with the tools they need to support their neurodivergent children.
“There’s no one-size-fits-all solution,” she explains.
“Every child is different, and that’s why ABA therapy works—it’s tailored to each individual’s needs,” Ayo stated.
Through her work, Diana Ayo is changing not only her child’s life but also the lives of countless other children and adults across Kenya.
And as the country slowly begins to embrace neurodivergence, her efforts stand as a testament to the power of determination, compassion, and evidence-based interventions.
“ABA gave me hope when I felt hopeless,” she says.
“Now, I want to share that hope with every family who needs it.”
As Kenya continues to grapple with the challenges of supporting its neurodivergent population, Diana Ayo is lighting the way forward—one child, one café, and one conversation at a time.
Diana Ayo’s story highlights the incredible journey of a mother and advocate who is revolutionizing the way neurodivergent individuals are supported in Kenya, from early childhood interventions to adulthood employment.
It weaves together personal experiences, advocacy, and the transformative power of ABA therapy, bringing awareness to an often-overlooked issue in the country.