MMC Molwele gives autistic children a warm embrace
30 May 2016
City of Johannesburg Member of the Mayoral Committee for Health and Social Development Cllr Nonceba Molwele has urged communities to create a friendly environment for people living with autism.
Speaking during a visit to the recently opened Thulasizwe School for Autism in Orlando West, Soweto, on Friday May 28, MMC Molwele said it was important for everyone to understand what autism was all about so they could be able to interact with people affected by the condition.
Autism results from a neurological disorder that affects the functioning of the brain. It is characterised by impairments in social interaction, problems with verbal and non-verbal communication and restricted, repetitive behaviour, interests and activities.
It is believed to stem from genetic predisposition triggered by environmental factors.
Statistics show that one in 99 children is affected by autism.
MMC Molwele praised the Thulasizwe School for Autism for taking “encouraging steps” towards creating a friendly environment for people living with autism.
She presented the school – which caters for 64 autistic children – with boxes containing items such as clipboards, pens, paper boards and bags.
“Parents with autistic children must not shy away from this disorder. It’s important to spread this awareness to every community member because when they are informed it will create a better society for autistic citizens to live in,” said MMC Molwele.
Thulasizwe’s principal, Florence Dzedzemane, said it was the school’s mission to help learners interact with society.
“At the heart of our educational goal as a special school ... [is a mission] to ensure that our learners become fully functional and active members of society,” she said.
Dzedzemane urged parents not to give up on their autistic children, adding that every child’s needs in the school were met.
“We don’t use a one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to this. We ensure that we cater for every learner’s needs,” said Dzedzemane.
“After the opening of this school in January, there were many parents who came forward with their autistic kids seeking help. Our ultimate goal is seeing all learners introduced to our school, developing life skills that will give them a better handle on life,” she said.
Claire Allen, an Autism Specialist in the Gauteng Department of Education, said it was important to know that autistic children “think differently and process information slowly”.
The only way they interact with their parents is by using them as objects, which is, [strictly speaking], not interaction because interaction has to involve communication,” Claire said.
Other signs associated with autism include sleeping disorder, mood swings, anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, attention deficit hyper-activity disorder, immune dysfunction and seizures.
The United Nations has declared April as Autism Month. Some of the famous personalities with autism include comedian Jerry Seinfeld, inventor Isaac Newton, scientist Albert Einstein, biologist Charles Darwin and American Idol contestant James Durbin.