Autism Spectrum Disorder: How Siyakwazi supports children with ASD

April – and Autism Awareness Month – is nearing to a close but our work is far from finished. Behavioural difficulties and differences often associated with autism are among the most cited reasons for exclusion from education. So, how can we work together to better support children with autism?

Shedding light on invisible disabilities

Did you know? 1 in 54 people in South Africa are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) according to Autism South Africa (Hands on Autism, 2020). There is nothing about how they look that sets them apart from other people; it is often an invisible disability, left unsupported. Added to this, it is one of the most prevalent disabilities Siyakwazi supports through our Inclusion Programme, ranking as the second highest commonly-occurring condition in the communities of KwaNzimakwe and KwaXolo in 2023.  

Illustration of top four prevalent disabilities as seen by Siyakwazi in 2023.

Neurodiversity as a superpower

To be unique is a superpower, it’s not to be punished, stigmatised or ignored. Exploring the minds of children with autism, leaning into their interests, accepting their neurodiversity and equipping them with skills to integrate sensory stimulation and social interaction into their everyday lives is the long-term goal of any intervention. We celebrate each child with autism and we understand that ASD is just that: a spectrum. Every child is unique and so our support is too.

Siyakwazi supports children with ASD and their families with various interventions throughout the year. 

What is ASD?

ASD is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain. People with ASD often learn, move, interact and pay attention in different ways, which impacts their interests, interactions, communication and behaviours. Some may have rigid or repetitive behaviours and self-stimulating movements called stimming.

It is usually diagnosed before the age of three and is lifelong, although symptoms may improve over time. Some children with ASD gain new skills and meet developmental milestones until around 18 to 24 months of age, and then they stop gaining new skills or lose the skills they once had.

The condition is thought to have a genetic component that results in atypical neurological development and functioning, but there are currently no definitive answers. What we do know is that ASD is complex and early intervention is vital because the greatest development occurs during the early years. 

“There has been a definite increase in the number of children with ASD coming through Siyakwazi’s doors. While it is challenging to paint a theoretical picture of a child and then apply it in the community, moreso because children present so differently from one another, Siyasizas are getting a better understanding of what autism can look like. Developing these skills comes from experience, time and exposure to the condition, even parents have doubts when assessing their own children because there are so many variances when it comes to ASD. 

“But of course identifying how autism presents is only the first step, what follows is even more important. Siyakwazi’s therapy room is beautifully geared up for sensory processing difficulties, with advanced resources that inform us on how best to continue supporting children at home and out in the real world with individualised plans. People with ASD can lead happy and fulfilled lives, and supporting children within their crucial age of development to help them integrate and function healthily to the best of their ability is a wonderful achievement to uphold.” 

– Dani Mulder, Occupational Therapist 

Dani Mulder and Siyakwazi’s Inclusion team host a three-day intensive ASD Block Week with training and therapy interventions in KwaNzimakwe, KZN.

What is Siyakwazi doing to support children with ASD?

• Block Days – an intensive three-day programme twice-a-year for children with ASD and their guardians to provide therapy sessions from professional therapists, resources, training and education (March and September).

• Diagnostic clinic – in partnership with Action in Autism, seven children were assessed by a paediatric neurologist in Durban in an ASD-focused diagnostic clinic (April). The outcome of which will help guardians and Siyakwazi to tailor interventions and better support these children in their learning and development.

Other interventions at work behind-the-scenes include behaviour management training with our team; developing and distributing ASD-specific resources to support guardians and educators, including behavioural guides and assessment tools; counselling support to increase ASD acceptance; preparing and implementing individualised therapy plans (OT, physio and speech and language); as well as accelerating access to clinic services, governmental support, and in some cases Special Education Needs schools. 

Child playing at a recent autism diagnostic clinic in Durban, KZN.

Partner with us

Last year children with ASD in Siyakwazi’s Inclusion Programme showed remarkable advancements in our year-end assessment. In fact, 100% of children who participated in the assessment improved! The most positive changes were noted in functionality and independence, which speaks volumes to the success of our interventions – particularly those focusing on modelling and practising everyday activities of daily life.

 

Bar graph showing the results of before and after assessments for children with ASD in Siyakwazi’s Inclusion Programme.

With committed and ongoing support from our partners and donors, we can reach many more children with ASD at a young age, as well as their guardians and educators, to provide the earliest possible interventions and holistic support. 

Your support will help us make a difference to the lives of children with ASD in 2024 and in the future. If you would like to donate towards Siyakwazi’s ASD interventions, please contact Cathy for more information.