Who We Are
Dorna Centre Home for Autism is a registered non-governmental organisation based in Ntinda, Kampala, providing structured residential care, specialised education, therapeutic services, and vocational preparation for children and young people living with autism and related developmental disabilities.
We were established to respond to a major service gap in Uganda, where access to specialised autism support remains limited for many families. Dorna Centre exists to provide a safe, structured, and supportive environment where children and young people can develop communication, independence, practical life skills, and greater confidence for the future.
Our Model of Care
Dorna Centre operates a residential care model designed to provide 24-hour structured support for children and young people who need consistent therapeutic and educational intervention. This model helps address the challenges faced by families who travel from distant districts in search of specialised services, as well as the difficulty many caregivers face in providing intensive support at home.
Each child receives an individualised support plan that brings together education, therapy, behavioural guidance, and skills training. Progress is monitored regularly and adjusted according to each child’s developmental needs, helping ensure that support remains relevant and meaningful.
Our work follows an integrated development approach, where therapy, education, and vocational preparation are delivered in a coordinated way to improve communication, independence, social participation, and future employability.
How Access Is Made Possible
Dorna Centre uses a cross-subsidy approach to make care more inclusive. Some families pay fees for services, while those resources also help support vulnerable children who would otherwise be excluded from access to specialised care. The Centre operates on a zero-profit basis, with all income reinvested into programme delivery, staffing, facility operations, and service improvement.
This model allows us to extend care to children from families facing financial hardship while maintaining the quality and consistency of services.
Our Programmes and Services
Therapeutic Services
We provide structured therapeutic support to help children improve communication, regulation, and everyday functioning. These services include speech therapy to strengthen expressive language and social interaction, occupational therapy to support fine motor development, sensory integration, and daily living skills, as well as counselling services that offer emotional and behavioural support for both children and their families. We also provide medical coordination, including support with referrals, follow-up, and health-related needs.
Education and Skills Development
Our education programmes are tailored to each learner’s developmental level and individual abilities. Alongside individualised learning, children are supported in life skills such as hygiene, dressing, cleaning, and personal organisation. We also provide computer literacy to strengthen digital confidence and future readiness, as well as art, craft, music, recreation, and group activities that build concentration, expression, and social interaction.
Practical and Vocational Training
Dorna Centre prepares young people for more independent adulthood through practical and vocational training. This includes urban farming, briquette production, baking, hairdressing and grooming, and other small-scale income-generating activities. These programmes help children and young people develop practical competencies, work habits, and early vocational readiness in a supportive setting.
Family Support, Community Engagement, and Advocacy
Our work goes beyond the Centre itself. We support families through counselling and guidance, while also engaging the wider community through autism awareness campaigns, public education initiatives, and events that promote understanding and reduce stigma. Dorna Centre also works with institutions and partners through initiatives such as corporate engagement and collaboration for identity registration and broader inclusion support.
Impact and Outcomes
Dorna Centre measures progress across therapeutic, educational, and functional development domains. Outcomes are tracked through structured observation, therapist assessments, and individual development plans.
Child Development Outcomes
Communication and Speech: Documented improvements in expressive and receptive language among children receiving structured speech therapy, increased ability to follow instructions and engage in structured conversation, and improved use of alternative communication methods where appropriate.
Daily Living Independence: Measurable gains in personal hygiene, dressing, feeding, and dormitory management, with increased ability to complete routine tasks with reduced supervision, alongside improved self-regulation and task persistence.
Social Interaction: Increased peer engagement during structured group activities, improved turn-taking and cooperative participation, and reduced behavioural escalation through structured intervention.
Educational and Cognitive Development: Progress against individualised education plans, improved concentration and sustained attention during classroom activities, and increased digital literacy among children participating in computer lessons.
Vocational Readiness: Acquisition of practical competencies in baking, briquette production, farming, and hairdressing, demonstrated ability to complete supervised production tasks, and early income-generating exposure through the sale of selected products.
Family Outcomes
- Reduced caregiving burden through access to structured residential support.
- Improved parental understanding of autism management strategies.
- Strengthened family engagement through counselling and support networks.
Geographic Reach
Children served originate from multiple districts across Uganda, including Kabale, Masaka, Entebbe, Jinja, and Luwero. The Centre provides access to specialised services not otherwise available in many of these locations.
Our Commitment
At Dorna Centre, we are committed to delivering care that is structured, individualised, inclusive, and focused on lasting outcomes. Every service we provide is designed to help children and young people living with autism grow in confidence, build practical skills, and experience greater dignity, support, and opportunity in everyday life.
Support Dorna Centre
If you would like to support our work, we warmly invite you to contribute through our donate page. Your support helps us sustain and expand access to specialised autism care for children and young people across Uganda.