Polokwane autism centre opens for specialised care
The first dedicated autism daycare centre, Lilo and Stitch, offers specialised care, education, and support for autistic children.
POLOKWANE – Polokwane’s first and only dedicated autism and daycare centre, the Lilo and Stitch Autism and Day Care Centre, has officially opened its doors, offering specialised care and support for autistic children.
Founder Krista Bunting took over the school from her sister, Leonette Slement, in 2022. Previously known as Ooievaar se Oerwoud, Bunting rebranded it to Lilo and Stitch in October last year, with a renewed focus on autism care.
“Many people don’t know that Lilo from Lilo and Stitch has autism and struggles with social interaction. That’s what inspired the name,” Bunting said.
The centre facilitates autistic and neurotypical children, creating an inclusive environment where children can interact at different levels.
“We believe autistic children should be treated as all other children, learning social and life skills to help them integrate into society,” Bunting said.
Her passion for autism education was sparked by a young autistic boy named Armand, she said, who has a deep love for big trucks.
“When he visited my previous job and got inside a big rig, his whole personality lit up. At that moment, I knew my life and career were about to change. That’s when I decided to study autism – and here we are today.”
The school follows a structured curriculum. Older autistic children learn through the Gr R Caps and Cambridge syllabus, integrated with neurotypical learners, while younger children (ages 2-4) follow the Oasis syllabus, with a strong emphasis on play-based learning, outdoor activities, and life skills development.
Bunting said that hands-on learning is crucial. “Some of our spectrum children may never attend mainstream schools, so we focus on teaching them essential life skills for independence in adulthood.”
The centre is in need of sensory toys and educational equipment to enhance learning and development. Bunting urges good Samaritans and businesses to contribute.
For more information or to support the centre, contact 081 257 1963 or 082 866 0525.
