Pathways Autism Trust

Our staff made an excellent presentation regarding the work that they do at our Centre. They also displayed their new SON_R Test Kit that they have recently being trained on brought by the specialists from Germany.

They gave an explanation of how they work with a child from the time the child comes in from an assessment, through to the time an Individualised Educational Development Plan is made for the child, evaluated, and sometimes to the time the child is reintegrated into mainstream education.

To give a medical definition of Autism was Doctor Arnold Mutemeri, a Clinical Psychologist from St Giles Medical Rehabilitation Centre.

Doctor Mutemeri touched on the subject of assessing and diagnosing adults with autism. There is a huge gap in that area due to a lack of resources.

Co-Founding Trustee, Flora Chinhaire, and parent to child on the severe end of the autism spectrum, introduced the theme and kickstarted the workshop. Flora spoke of our journey as Pathways Autism Trust and where we intend to be.

Flora's and Doreen's children have now outgrown the program and are hoping to be integrated into a Vocational Training Centre.

Our MC was our ever bubbly Co-Founder Trustee, Doreen Tirivanhu, mother of 23 year old Tanatswa Tirivanhu.

We also thank Pastor Chiguma for opening our session in prayer.

On the left is Doctor Richard Hammer. We welcome him to Zimbabwe. It is his 1st time in the country even though he has been supporting Pathways Autism Trust for the past 3 years providing 50% scholarships at our Centre for children below the age of 6.

Doctor Richard Hammer is a Motor Therapist, Psychomotor Therapist, has training in Gestalt Therapy and Systemic Family Therapy, and has more than 20 years of experience in child and youth welfare and lecturing and teaching activities.

Doctor Hammer is The Chairman of the Foundation Autismus Wissen“ which grants the scholarships here at our Centre.

We are also currently benefitting from his extensive knowledge for our operations.

Then last week on Tuesday, we welcomed back Professor Martin Schmidt (right).

For those that don't know, Professor Martin Schmidt is a Specialist in psychiatry and psychotherapy, Medical Director of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinic in Mannheim, Germany, Chairman of the German Society for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Board Member of the International Society for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and has more than 30 years experience as a Scientific Advisor to the Child and Youth Welfare Organisation "Die Gute Hand" in Germany with a focus on autism and related disorders.

For the last 10 years, Professor Martin Schmidt has been carrying out diagnostics, supervision and counselling for Pathways Autism Trust.

Roswitha, in the meantime, has been assessing children already enrolled at our Centre.

It was Happy Days once again on Friday 31 Oct 2025 when Roswitha Nass arrived at our Centre from Germany. Roswitha has been visiting us for 10 years now carrying out assessments and diagnostics, supervising, and counselling and assisting in developing Individualised Programs for our children at our Centre and upskilling our staff.

Roswitha has over 30 years of experience working with children with autism and related conditions in the area of child and youth welfare in Germany. She is an Educationist and a qualified Curative Teacher with systemic training, coaching training for managers and Marte-Meo video counselling.

Field of work: diagnostics, counselling and treatment in the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy at the LVR Clinic in Bonn.