Takalani Special School celebrates World Autism Month
The research adds that the conditions are characterised by some degree of difficulty with social interaction and communication.
Some of the learners and care givers from Takalani Special School painted the streets blue as they walked in commemoration of World Autism Month on April 19.
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World Autism Month is observed annually on April whereby people gather to raise awareness and advocate for people living with Autism.
The day saw Takalani Special School learners and care givers escorted by the JMPD as they made their way to Extreme Park where they started to raise awareness as they gave pamphlets which shed insights on autism to residents.
According to a research published by the World Health Organisation, Autism also referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorder, constitutes a diverse group of conditions related to development of the brain.
The research adds that the conditions are characterised by some degree of difficulty with social interaction and communication.
Other characteristics are atypical patterns of activities and behaviours, such as difficulty with transition from one activity to another, a focus on details and unusual reactions to sensations.
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Parents, community leaders and officials from the Department of Education also came to commemorate the day as they witnessed items rendered by autistic learners from Takalani Special School.
Takalani Special School principal, Themba Sikhosana said as an institution of learning, they are tasked with the responsibility to ensure that opportunities are provided for learners with autism so as to increase understanding and acceptance as they work together with various stakeholders in the community.
“With the stigma that is still attached to autism and disability, ours is to create a united front for the learners by ensuring that there is information available on Autism to residents so that we reduce the stigma attached to the condition. With the help of our caregivers we will be able to reach this goal,” Sikhosana said.
He added that people living with Autism should be given a platform to reclaim their voice and with communities becoming the agents of change in their respective spaces the goal can be met.
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The learners were treated to a special lunch by Deboinars Pizza and Steers as some of the sponsors who came on board to support a great initiative.
One of the parents, Dione Mcunu who spoke on the challenges of having a child living with Autism gave other parents motivation to be supportive of their Autistic children regardless of the backlash and judgement they may encounter.
“Having an Autistic child is not a curse and it should not be treated at such. These children are indeed special with their proven ability to do what people perceive as ‘normal’.
“They have so much love to give and parents should never make the mistake of thinking they have been bewitched,” Mcunu said.
