Meet Faby Diallo: Leading Spark a Spectrum in Africa

Faby Diallo, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA, IBA, is the Africa and Asia Regional Leader for Spark a Spectrum of Possibilities, and her work is deeply personal. As a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, educator, and social innovator, Faby is contributing to autism care and inclusive education across Africa and the diaspora. Her commitment comes from lived experience, she understands firsthand the journey families face when a loved one is on the spectrum.

Faby is the Owner and Clinical Director of Learn Me ABA Clinics in the United States, with locations in Virginia and Florida, where her team provides compassionate, evidence-based behavior analysis services. Through the LAB 360 Project, which includes LAB Academy, LAB Educator, CR-LAB (Centre de Recherche-Action), and LAB Autonomie, Faby leads a comprehensive model connecting training, education, research, and autonomy support, from early intervention through adult care.

Her vision extends far beyond clinical practice. Faby believes that every child, regardless of diagnosis, geography, or circumstance, has the right to learn, grow, and contribute meaningfully to society. As the Africa Regional Leader for Spark a Spectrum of Possibilities, she is working to unite centers, practitioners, and advocates across the continent under a shared mission: to celebrate neurodiversity, build inclusive systems, and spark hope in every community.

Why this matters

Early diagnosis is extremely important for children with autism. When families can access screening and diagnosis early, they have faster access to early intervention that leads to better outcomes, including improvements in language development and social behavior (Estes et al., 2015). However, in many parts of the world, families don't have access to professionals who can help. Children often go undiagnosed, and parents are left alone with minimal resources or guidance.

According to the latest CDC report published in April 2025, one in every 31 children has autism (Shaw et al., 2025). Many children never receive the support they need, not because it doesn't exist, but because they can't reach it.

In the global south, one major barrier to research and management of autism has been the scarcity of validated screening tools and limited awareness of the condition (Abubakar et al., 2016; Bakare et al., 2009). Many families face inadequate diagnostic and assessment resources, and the stigma associated with developmental disorders prevents children from receiving timely support (Mayema & Malcolm-Smith, 2024). Research indicates that early identification can improve long-term developmental outcomes for children with autism, yet reduced support for families who do receive a diagnosis limits early identification and intervention (Mayema & Malcolm-Smith, 2024).

We are working towards changing that.

Spark a Spectrum of Possibilities: April 2, 2026

Note: This article was originally published in October 2025, ahead of the inaugural Spark a Spectrum event. The event has since taken place, anchoring 84 centers across 31 countries with more than 2,000 volunteers and reaching over 1,300 attendees on April 2, 2026.

On April 2, 2026, World Autism Awareness Day, we are organizing a multi-continental event unlike anything attempted before. With hundreds of organizations and volunteers, professionals, healthcare workers, doctors, teachers, university students, professors, policymakers, and families across the globe will come together to provide free autism screenings and resources to families who need them.

We are creating spaces where families can meet one-on-one with specialists, ask questions, and receive guidance. Host centers will set up resource fairs where parents can learn about available tools and support. There will be celebrations with games, activities, free food and drinks, prizes, spaces where autism is celebrated.

Families who receive positive screening results will have immediate access to consulting sessions with specialists on the day of the event. We will also provide consultations for families who already have autistic children and need guidance. Follow-up meetings will be scheduled after the event to ensure continued support. Families will be invited to join online groups where they can access ongoing information and connect with others.

The screenings will use validated tools, and volunteers will receive comprehensive training beforehand. Some sites will also participate in research to advance our understanding of autism across different populations and contexts.

What we need

We need funding to screen more children, train more volunteers, and reach more families. We need NGOs, state and federal schools, universities, therapy centers, and community organizations to collaborate and host centers. We need specialists to donate their time. We need community members to spread the word.

And we need people to care.

Movie stars and celebrities can lend their voices to bring public attention. Together, we will destigmatize autism and celebrate neurodiversity. We want to tell families: you are not alone, and your child's differences are not something to hide.

We want April 2nd to become a tradition, a day when the world comes together for autism awareness, to support and celebrate.

To get involved as a volunteer, collaborator, or sponsor, reach out to us at loukia@abaworld.org.

Spark a Spectrum of Possibilities is an initiative of ABA World. Learn more at abaworld.org/vote.