A tragedy waiting to happen
Children face uncertain future if needs are not met
Internationally, one in 88 children will develop autism.
Of those 88 children, 54 will be boys. The 2012 claim made by the Centre for Disease Control in America is, according to Autism South Africa (ASA), easily relatable to this country. “Additionally poverty appears to enhance the possibility of autism, so we may well have an even higher prevalence here,” said ASA’s Jill Stacey. “The way in which autism can affect a person’s life can be from mild to severe.”
Disturbingly, resources are very limited for parents. In Northwold, Ilse Kilian-Ross’ daughter Madison was diagnosed with classic autism and frustration at not being able to trust her daughter’s needs were being met led her to opening her own development centre. “Madison is non-verbal, she has serious development delays and also has Sensory Processing Disorder,” said Kilian-Ross.
This doesn’t mean the near seven year-old is unintelligent and Madison has demonstrated a near eidetic memory as far as Kilian-Ross was concerned. “Children on the spectrum learn differently and they need to learn real-life and communication skills to help them integrate into society.” This required highly specialised teaching methods, a structured and varied curriculum, a variety of different therapies and as much one-on-one attention and interaction as possible.
Stacey said that part of ASA’s work is identifying and training teachers. “The Department of Social Development has also recognised autism has been highly neglected and has pledged to assist.” The Department said in May 2013 that children born with autism are often dismissed in black communities as bewitched, demon possessed, or even mentally disabled. “As a result of these misconceptions, children with autism are not cared for in a way that meets their specific needs,” said spokesperson Lumka Oliphant.
The problem with children is that they grow older, as do their parents. “Which means when they retire or die, the responsibility unfairly falls to their siblings,” said Stacey. In the South African context, it’s entirely possible a single child on the spectrum would be left to his or her own defences.
Kilian-Ross said that urgent intervention was needed from all levels of society to prevent a human tragedy.
Details: Autism South Africa 011-484-9909, www.aut2know.co.za or Ilse Kilian-Ross 083-230-5880, www.amazingk.co.za
