Randburg Clinic School leads autism awareness outreach this April
Autism awareness outreach by Randburg Clinic School highlighted communication challenges and inclusion for children on the spectrum.
Randburg Clinic School is making the best of autism awareness month.
They’re educating communities and prompting inclusion and acceptance through a series of outreach programmes taking place at various venues, including Ferndale High School on April 16. The initiative was not only about promoting awareness about autism; it was about showing the importance of understanding how children on the spectrum communicate, and the developmental challenges they face.
Read more: Randburg Clinic School’s autism awareness campaign encourages inclusion at Ferndale High
Speech, language, and hearing therapist Prelene Kannemeyer said language is not only verbal, in the context of working with people with communication difficulties. “We use a symbol-based communication device, symbol-based signs, like Makaton signs.” Kannemeyer added that when teachers have challenges, speech therapists can make adaptions to assist with language and communication support.
In response to the importance of hosting such outreaches, she said: “In order for us to really understand and accept, it’s important that people know what the conditions are, and what communication looks like for others.”
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Occupational therapist Zerilda De Kock emphasised that the biggest challenge is resources, in terms of time and manpower. “We look at the child, understand their strengths and challenges, and also understand what barriers they have to daily functioning. Whether it is learning personal management skills, like brushing teeth and getting dressed, or engaging with the environment or even socialising with other kids.” De Kock added that the significance of autism awareness month is that it helps people know that there are people out there that are different, and that experience life differently, and that a little bit of kindness goes a long way.
Mbali Kekana, whose son got diagnosed with autism at only three years old, mentioned that, after acceptance, her life changed in an amazing way. “Things are so amazing since we have a routine, not only a routine for him, a routine for us as a family, which means we are all disciplined now.” Kekana explained that her son, Letlotlo, is their blessing as a family, because if it was not for him, she would not be at Randburg Clinic School helping to spread awareness about autism.
As the outreach continues throughout April, the organisers hope to educate as many people as they can to further promote inclusion and acceptance in communities.
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