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Despite the prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder in South Africa (more commonly known as autism) with international statistics estimating as many as 1 in 88 children affected, it remains a largely unknown and unrecognised disorder to the majority of South Africans, particular in rural areas.
As a result people with autism are often misunderstood and perceived as mentally ill, leading to children not being properly diagnosed and therefore not treated in an appropriate and necessary way.
International Autism Day, held for the seventh time this year on 2nd April and part of Autism Awareness Month (April) seeks to combat this lack of awareness.
During the month of April, organisations around the world promote autism awareness by taking part in the ‘Light It Up Blue’ campaign, with many landmarks around the world ‘lighted up blue’ to spread the word on autism awareness.
The Empire State Building, The Eiffel Tower and our very own Table Mountain are a few of the landmarks that were ‘lighted up’ in 2013 to promote autism awareness.
“The cause of autism remains largely elusive,” says Elaine Brand, Programme Director, The DreamTree School; a private and independent autism-friendly school catering for children diagnosed with autism or other related learning disorders.
“However available research indicates that both genetic predisposition and environmental factors play a role in the growth of this neurodevelopmental disorder.”
Manifesting behaviourally, key features of autism include difficulties in language, communication and social interaction together with the presence of restricted or repetitive thought patterns and behaviours.
In addition, people with autism often have sensory processing difficulties, resulting in over or under sensitivity to sights, sounds, tastes and textures.
“Living in a world where communication and socialisation form an integral part of our daily lives, having difficulties in these spheres presents many challenges to people with autism,” continues Brand. From an early age, children with autism require help and intervention to minimise these difficulties.
This in turn helps them lead full lives which in turn promotes greater independence later on. “And the impact on the family unit can be significant,” adds Brand.
Living with a child or sibling affected by autism presents many challenges for families ranging from financial, to the impact that autism has on both a marriage as well as relationships with other children in the family.
So what can or should be done to ensure as productive and happy a life for children with autism? “Early diagnosis is key, after which proper intervention should be found,” says Brand.
“Living without a proper diagnosis, and acceptance of the diagnosis, leads to frustration in both the child affected by autism as well as their families. “
Autism can be diagnosed accurately in children aged three years and older, with the majority of children diagnosed between four and five years of age.
If parents notice a developmental delay they are encouraged to seek professional help immediately as early diagnosis leads to early intervention, of extreme importance in the treating of autism.
A diagnosis is made by a multi-disciplinary team of medical professionals, based on behavioural observations and historical accounts.
Such a team may include psychologists, psychiatrists, paediatricians, neurologists and speech and occupational therapists. There are various screening tools, of which the ADOS (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule) is most often used.
“In addition, finding the correct school/ therapeutic placement for a child with autism makes the world of difference.
The sooner intervention starts, the more content, able and independent the child tends to be,” stresses Brand.
Children with autism often struggle to cope with the social and academic demands placed on them at mainstream schools. As such, they often need special schools and therapies that are autism specific and cater for their needs.
However, there are currently very limited options available in South Africa. With approximately only five autism specific, government funded schools in South Africa, a number of private institutions have started catering to the specific needs of children with autism.
Private therapies (speech therapy, occupational therapy and physiotherapy) are also often part of intervention programs and medical professionals are involved in prescribing medication if needed.
“The level of awareness, acceptance and support available locally is similar to other developing countries,” says Brand.
Internationally, developed countries enjoy more resources, interventions and funding with the USA, UK and Australia numbering amongst some of the countries with the most advanced autism structures and facilities.
These primarily include funded schools, care centres and access to medical professionals. Increased awareness and training for professionals as well as family members, caregivers and the general public leads to increased acceptance in countries where these structures are in place.
“Access to information and services is vital to ensure a positive outcome for a child and family dealing with autism,” continues Brand.
Currently providing educational, developmental and social support to seven children, with capacity for at least double that, The DreamTree School, situated in Somerset West, aims to create a unique, autism-friendly, integrated, developmentally-focused and therapeutic educational environment in which the optimum growth of each learner can be achieved.
Learning takes place in a social classroom environment with a higher adult to child ratio: one teacher and one classroom assistant to a maximum of six children per class creating the opportunity for one-on-one instruction as well as small groups, large groups and community-based instruction.
A comprehensive Individual Educational Developmental Programme (IEDP) is drawn up for each learner, ensuring that his/her unique scholastic, social and emotional needs are met within a group setting.
“Constructive Social Activities also form part of our daily schedule,” says Brand.
“During these activities we aim to create opportunities for spontaneous engagement among the learners, staff and volunteers that will reinforce social interaction in a playful manner.”
Skills that are taught in the classroom are reinforced with activities such as Kinder Kinetics; music; various forms of arts and crafts; fantasy play, Drum Joy and Dance Mouse.
“Autism is not a disease,” says Brand. It is a neurodevelopmental disorder, with those affected as deserving of society’s respect and consideration as every other human being.
“And with proper diagnosis, treatment, care and love those affected are capable of going on to lead productive and happy lives,” concludes Brand, citing the likes of Mozart, Daryl Hannah and Tim Burton as just a few of the many examples.
