Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that manifests itself in the first three years of life. In South Africa, autism awareness is observed throughout the month of April. Autism has a tremendous impact on children, their families, communities, and society across the world. An event was hosted on April 2 at the Hoedspruit Airforce Drakensig Community Hall, Captain Takalani Thomas Mulaudzi, the liaison officer of the South African Air Force Gymnasium, confirmed.

Hoedspruit Airforce base, Chaplain Mothusimang Makata said families, caregivers, society, and the communities have a duty to observe, care and extend a hand of mercy to those who are defined by their uniqueness: “Children are a special gift from God and as such, they deserve to be loved”. The principal of the Air Force Base Hoedspruit Fledgings Day Care, Maria Tshidzumba said the main purpose behind the awareness day was to educate, support, and provide a holistic approach and a strategic vision of what can be achieved through better understanding, especially for those with autistic children.

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Tshidzumba said she was happy that through a team effort, they have managed to plant a seed and that their objectives have been reached. “Future events of this magnitude will be planned in advance to attract and ensure maximum attendance from the community,” she said. The AFB Hoedspruit Fledgings Day Care is situated at the Air Force Base Hoedspruit within the Drakensig community area. It hosts children from all walks of life, irrespective of race and gender, and from the age group of three months to seven years.

In delivering the keynote addresses, Kirsten Shapiro and Elsa le Roux who are occupational therapists by profession, mentioned that autism is a neuro-developmental condition that affects children for life. They suggest that parents and caregivers take their children to receive the appropriate medical and therapeutic interventions relevant to healthcare professionals if they want to change their situation for the better. According to Shapiro and Le Roux, not all people with autism can speak. “Some of the ways to communicate with children living with autism include sign language, written and spoken words with pictures, and sign language with words known as keyword signing.

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You may observe that children with autism may not respond to their names, avoid eye contact, not smile when you smile at them, and get upset if they do not like a certain taste, smell, or sound and display repetitive movements such as flapping their hands, flicking their fingers or rocking their bodies.” They pleaded for patience from all those who deal with autistic children. “Teach a child how to express anger in a socially acceptable way, be persistent but resilient, always stay positive, interact through speech, and increase physical activity and understanding of the word. “Accept them for who they are and help them cope in the world.

It’s important that society supports, educates, and advocates for them, not only in April but throughout the year,” they added. A teacher and activist, Thina Wolmarans from the Drakensig community, said it is important that children with autism should be cared for and loved. Lerato Mphahlele who authored a poetry anthology entitled Moulded Poetry (2021), rendered a poem in support of children with autism. Among those present on the day was the acting commanding officer of the base, Col Enrico Gherbavaz, the commanding officer of the SAAF Gymnasium, Col Mokibelo Jerry Magana, the commanding officer 19 Squadron who serves as the current patron of AFB Hoedspruit Fledgings Day Care, Lt Col Tshimangadzo Tshidzumba, and the administrator of the Hoedspruit Christian School, Johan Potgieter, as well as parents from the Drakensig community and Hoedspruit.