GR Landmark and Feeds supports Autism Centre
The students attending Heidelberg Autism Centre are all autistic and some have additional disabilities.
GR Landmark and Feeds invites the public to join them for their fourth Annual Market Day on November 2.
Don’t miss this exciting day filled with many special offers and fun for everyone.
The Annual Market Day also helps fund an annual contribution to a local non-profit organisation and this year they will be giving back to the Heidelberg Autism Centre.
The Heidelberg Autism Centre was established in 2019 and takes care of 30 autistic students.
The institution was established by Jolanie Roos, whose son Joshua, was diagnosed with autism as a non-speaking two-year-old.
Advise given to her by the paediatric neurologist who made Joshua’s diagnosis was: “Put him in an institution and go on with your life”.
Love and commitment towards Joshua is what inspired her to establish the Heidelberg Autism Centre.
The students attending Heidelberg Autism Centre are all autistic and some have additional disabilities such as Angelman syndrome, down syndrome, epilepsy and other physical disabilities.
The centre has 15 qualified staff members who are dedicated to the cause.
The centre’s point of focus is to provide their students with the best education possible according to their individual needs and provide a loving environment where autistic children are accepted, cared for, stimulated and encouraged to reach their full potential.
As additional therapy and stimulation for the students, Jayhden Cooper from Healing Hooves has become a part of the team and is responsible for equine-assisted activities and therapies (EAAT) for the students.
The benefits of horse riding and equine-assisted therapies for people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been proven in several studies.
It has been shown to substantially improve the social and behavioural functions in people with ASD as well as substantial improvements in the language abilities and motor and sensory functioning of these individuals. Within two weeks of starting EAAT at the centre, one of the girls who couldn’t previously speak started saying her first words.
In addition to the cash donation made to the centre by GR Landmark, Equi-feeds Horse Feeds are donating feed to Healing Hooves over the next six months to aid in supporting the cause and ensure the students can continue reaping the benefits from EAAT.
There will be a lot on offer at the Market Day on November 2 from 07:30 to 14:00.
There is a lucky draw with a 10-day stay at San Lameer Golf Estate being the first prize, and a water tank and pump combo being the second prize.
Ingco Tools are also running a one-day competition where the lucky winner will secure a R10 000 Ingco voucher.
For more information on the centre, contact Jolanie Roos on 082 566 7030 or visit their Facebook page. They are based in Rensburg, Heidelberg.
