World Autism Day came early
Daryn Wood
WITH April being Autism Awareness Month, Autism Eastern Cape (AEC) hopes to enlighten and inform parents on the developmental disability so that they can deal with it as early as possible.
The Walmer-based non-profit organisation celebrated World Autism Day a few days early on March 28 instead of April 2 because of the school holidays.
But fieldworker and coordinator Sandra Dunstan believes they need to create awareness every day of the year.
"If children are diagnosed at an early age, it allows for the necessary intervention to take place," she said.
Autism typically appears during the first three years of life.
Autistic spectrum disorders impact the normal development of the brain processes related to social interaction and communication skills. Children and adults with autism typically have difficulties with verbal and non-verbal communication, social interaction and leisure or play activities.
"No two people with autism are the same, and intellectual and functional abilities can vary enormously. Due to this diversity, autism is now more often referred to as 'autism spectrum disorder', ranging from mild to severe," Dunstan said.
She said despite different degrees of severity, very few children with autism will ever be able to live independent lives as adults, making the need for an adult care centre an urgent priority.
AEC also aims to establish a training centre to train caregivers, domestic workers, nurses and teachers to identify characteristics associated with autism.
Another goal is to have an early intervention centre to enhance the child's development, provide support and assistance to the family and to maximise the child's and family's benefit to society, Dunstan said.
"Autism Eastern Cape's main objective is to cater for the education, training and welfare of persons with autism and related disorders from childhood through to adulthood."
AEC is situated at 186 Main Road, Walmer. They can be contacted on (041)581-0650, 083-267-2973 or e-mail info@autismec.co.za