ACTION in Autism has a new director at the helm who is no stranger to the organisation.

Liza Aziz, an educator and filmmaker by profession, founded the organisation in 2006 after realising that there were no schools or resources for autistic children. She has taken over from Kirsten Miller who recently resigned.

This was one year after her son, who was four years old at the time, was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Condition.

READ ALSO: Car theft suspects linked to Durban North, uMhlanga arrested

“I wrote to Education MEC, Ina Cronje and sent stories to newspapers. The journalist was flooded with responses from parents who were in the same predicament. We decided to hold a formal meeting and started Action in Autism,” said Aziz.

Thereafter, a mass meeting was held where Cronje was invited to listen to the pleas of hundreds of parents, who had no schooling options available to them.

“Following this meeting, the Department of Basic Education allocated an amount of R1.5 million to a school in each district to support children with autism. As a follow-up, the NGO partnered with the Department of Education to host an autism indaba which resulted in all special needs schools being given R200 000 per annum each to accommodate learners with autism and high support needs. Over the years, we have also learnt so much about autistic people. This model can be replicated, and more organisations can be formed to ensure autistic people have somewhere to go,” said Aziz.

Since 2006, many new programmes have been added to the organisation, one of them being the Shahuma Centre which is a business and skills hub that equips autistic adults with skills, to enable them to generate an income.

The three-year programme comprises courses on gardening, arts and crafts and hospitality and catering.

“Autistic adults are capable of employment. We want to build those strengths and ensure a smooth transition into the work place. We also have a board of incredible professionals whose advice is crucial to the development of policy at Action in Autism,” she said.

During her time as director, Aziz said the organisation has built up much institutional knowledge over the years, which they would like to impart on others.

“We’re also working on expanding the assessment and therapy wing, to be able to cater for those most in need. One of the main issues is that we are centrally based and access to our premises is not easily obtainable. That’s where outreach programmes, webinars and WhatsApp groups, in isiZulu and English come into play. We have to reach the communities who can’t reach us,” she said.

“We are also working on establishing a centre that caters for autistic adults who have lost their parents and have no care-givers,” added Aziz.

For more information on Action in Autism visit www.actioninautism.org.za