Mams public taught about autism
“Most parents hide their children who are diagnosed with autism from the public because they think their children are crazy. They are not crazy.
Autism is not a mental disorder but a neurological one, plus there are different kinds of autism.
These are some of the things a local organisation communicated to the public during an awareness outreach on World Autism Day.
“Many parents in the community don’t know anything about autism,” said Naomi Mampane.
Mampane is a co-founder of Autism E’kasi, the local organisation that held the event at Exclusive Lounge in Mamelodi West next to the police station on Saturday.
The theme for World Autism Day was the colour blue.
Mampane, co-founder along with Joyce Mac Chambers, said the aim of the event was to share information about autism as well as celebrating autism month.
She said Autism E’kasi wants to educate the public about different kinds of autism and raise awareness.
“We were also supporting parents who have children diagnosed with autism,” said Mampane.
“Many people are not well informed about autism or don’t understand what it is.”
Autism E’kasi invited quests speakers to the event.
“Some of the issues were discussed on the day were the signs of autism and children’s behaviour,” said Mampane.
Guest speaker, and the mother of a son diagnosed with autism, Selinah Ndlovu shared her experience on how she started an organisation dealing with autism in 2010.
“Most parents hide their children who are diagnosed with autism from the public because they think their children are crazy,” said Selina.
“They are not crazy.”
E’kasi wants to encourage the public to come out and learn more about autism.
“Parents should be proud of their kids no matter what state of mind they are in,” Mampane said.
Keith Magagula, from the Tshegofatsong special school in Mamelodi, encouraged parents not to give up on their children.
“There is hope for children living with autism and our school offers support,” said Magagula.
“We have therapists at the school as well as social workers and school nurses who can take care of such children.”
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