Lindokuhle’s SEN School Journey

*Lindokuhle, 12, a dog-obsessed, high-energy child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), inspired a collaborative partnership between Siyakwazi and CS Learning Centre. His story, marked by both challenges and opportunities, highlights how early intervention, a strong support network, and individualised care can transform the experience of a child with a disability.

Lindokuhle’s enrolment at CS Learning Centre – the first referral by Siyakwazi – marked a pivotal moment in his development. This private Special Education Needs school, which focuses on educating children and youth with ASD, became the setting for his remarkable growth. Since joining, Lindokuhle has made significant progress, despite facing some learning gaps. 

Initially, Lindokuhle struggled with anxiety, which impacted his ability to understand concepts, often relying on rote memorisation. He would focus on simpler tasks, like achieving the correct pencil grip or completing a puzzle, rather than grasping the underlying learning principles. “When he started at our school, he could write 1 to 10 easily, but without real understanding,” recalls Tammy Smulders, the current principal of CS Learning Centre, who was also Lindokuhle’s first teacher there.

However, over time, Lindokuhle’s confidence grew. He began to follow instructions more consistently and developed early literacy skills like recognising letter sounds. His warm and friendly nature has made him popular at school, a stark contrast to the anxiety and frustration he initially experienced.

Routine has played a key role in his progress, helping him take initiative and develop a sense of responsibility. He now remembers when to take his medicine and, when he finishes a task, independently chooses his next activity – whether it’s playdough, a puzzle, or heading to the reading corner – without needing to be prompted. He has also become more independent in his daily routine, arriving at school with confidence, greeting his teachers and peers, and unpacking his bag on his own.

A significant breakthrough in Lindokuhle’s communication came with the introduction of Makaton, an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) system that uses signs (hand gestures) and symbols (images) alongside speech and written words to support communication. This approach helped reduce his frustration and allowed him to express himself more effectively. “He’s become more sociable, loves greeting people, and participates in group activities,” Tammy says. “It’s a joy to witness, especially given how much anxiety he had in the beginning.”

Though still in the pre-reading stage, Lindokuhle shows enthusiasm for math, and his teacher, Andi, is optimistic about his continued progress. Each week, he is also introduced to various life skills, from trying new foods to exploring colours and textures.

Lindokuhle’s development extends beyond school. He now wakes up at 4.30 am, chooses his clothes, and gets himself ready for school. This newfound autonomy reflects his growing confidence and communication skills, enabling him to engage more fully with his environment.

In 2013, Lindokuhle was introduced to Siyakwazi when he started attending Thandalani Crèche a few days a week. Looking back, it’s clear that Siyakwazi played a crucial role in Lindokuhle’s early development by helping him get a diagnosis and access the therapy support he needed when his family struggled to understand his needs. Even back then, his differences were noticeable. “I remember the first time I met Lindokuhle,” recalls Nontuthuko, a Siyakwazi manager who supported him at the time as a fieldworker. “He was a dog-loving child, like many non-verbal children who love animals, but from the start, you could tell he wasn’t like the others.”

At first, Lindokuhle’s family struggled to understand that his developmental delays could indicate ASD. They attributed his behaviour and lack of speech to inherited traits or witchcraft, relying on traditional healing practices rather than seeking medical support. Despite their reluctance, Siyakwazi suspected an autism diagnosis based on Lindokuhle’s behaviours and developmental patterns. “It took time for his family to understand that his challenges were more than being shy or having a different personality,” explains Nontuthuko. These early interventions laid the foundation for Lindokuhle’s later success, beginning with the crucial step of securing an official diagnosis.

Lindokuhle’s journey to getting a diagnosis was long and challenging. After struggling to navigate the government system, his family finally found the right path through Siyakwazi’s close collaboration with SASSA during the COVID-19 period. It was at Siyakwazi’s Resource Centre that he was formally diagnosed by a SASSA doctor and, at the same time, received a Care Dependency Grant – critical steps in ensuring he could access the right support. It was a triumphant moment, not just for Lindokuhle but for his family and the entire team, marking a turning point that set him on the right path for his development.

In 2021, Lindokuhle transitioned to Grade R at a mainstream primary school, where his struggles with sitting still and frequent verbalisations when agitated became more apparent. Siyakwazi, recognising that his needs would be better met at a specialised school, advocated for his enrolment at CS Learning Centre. Despite initial concerns about the long 80-kilometre round trip to school on public transport, Lindokuhle adapted over time, and even his grandmother – who had once been sceptical about non-traditional interventions – became one of his strongest supporters. She now attends school meetings to track his progress and is an integral part of his household’s support network.

Lindokuhle’s referral to CS Learning Centre allowed him to receive the specialised support he needed, and the collaboration between Siyakwazi, CS Learning Centre, and his family has been crucial to his growth. Without Siyakwazi’s intervention, Tammy emphasises, Lindokuhle could have spent years without meaningful progress.

*Name changed for privacy

Want to read more about Lindokuhle? You can read our interview with his grandmother, Happiness, here: A Grandmother’s Hope Restored: “I’m Doing My Best for Him”