☆ Facebook Pages
Autism Spectrum Kids in South Africa:
Spectrum Moms / Spektrum Mammas:
Autism Western Cape:
The Academy for Adults with Autism
Under Wraps
Organizations & Programs
1. The Neurodiversity Center
The Neurodiversity Centre was founded in order to provide multi-disciplinary assessment, support and intervention to children, adolescents and adults presenting with neurodevelopmental needs and challenges. We work together as a team, and seek to collaborate with families in order to assess all of your child’s needs.
The NDC is made up of a dedicated team of Clinical- and Educational Psychologists, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Adult Psychiatry, Developmental Pediatrics, Speech and Language Therapy, Educational Specialists, Administrators and Practice Management. Naturally, we rely most heavily on the parents of our children as key members of our team.
For online training for parents and professionals see: https://www.neurodiversitycentre.co.za/services/training
2. Autism South Africa – a;sa – Aut2know
List of Service Providers & Schools: https://aut2know.co.za/service-providers-and-schools/
3. Autism Western Cape
Our Services
All of our services are free of charge to allow access for all and include;
Post-diagnosis psycho-educational support at state hospitals and clinics: Lentegeur Hospital, Red Cross Hospital, Somerset Hospital and Tygerberg Hospital, every week.
Counselling and ongoing support for individuals and families, school support for ECD centers, schools and special care facilities, which involves training: Inclusion Practices, Autism, Behaviour Challenges, Alternative Teaching, and Communication Techniques.
Training and workshops, for parents/caregivers, service providers (e.g. schools, speech therapists, public servants, government departments) that interact or influence policy.
The compilation and distribution of visual stimulation kits needed for communication skills, as well as program stimulation kits (this includes an early learner kit, school readiness kit, as well as adult stimulation kit).
Advocacy for the right to education of children diagnosed with Autism.
Support services to adults on the spectrum.
4. Autism Resources South Africa
We have created a collection of tools and resources to help manage day-to-day life and made it available to everyone else – for parents, facilitators and teachers of children on the Autism spectrum.
Check out their Neurodiversity online shop: https://www.autismresources.co.za/collections/all-products
5. Under Wraps
We provide custom weighted therapy products that assist children and adults that battle with anxiety, stress, hyperactivity or broken, restless sleep. The weighted pressure helps to modify behavior by increasing feelings of safety which improves concentration, focus and energy-levels.
All of Under Wraps’ custom products are made to withstand daily use: extra care is taken with the designs, material and seams to ensure you get good use out of your item. You can machine wash your product and hang up to dry (no tumble-dry). There is a care label on the item too!
6. Calm the Chaos Workshop
Who Is This For?
THIS IS FOR PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS WHO CONSTANTLY DEAL WITH ONE OF THESE 5 TYPES OF MELTDOWNS:
DANGEROUS MELTDOWNS
Your child is aggressive and violent when they meltdown. You’re scared they could send you, themselves, or one of your other kids to the hospital. And you’re afraid that if you don’t get these under control, your child could end up in juvie or jail (I used to be in this group.)
You’ll learn exactly what to do and say to diffuse these meltdowns instantly using an “In-The-Moment” Plan.
THE NEVER-ENDING MELTDOWNS
Your child continues to spiral out of control no matter what you say or do. They won’t use the calm-down tools you give them. They won’t self-regulate. And they won’t listen to anything you say.
You’ll discover the piece you’ve been missing that will help you finally get your child to calm down — even if you’ve read every book and done every program out there.
THE “LITTLE FIRE” MELTDOWNS
You can go long periods without a meltdown, tantrum, or outburst. Then they pop up all over the place. Your kid starts melting down over shoes, chores — everything.
You’ll learn how to keep those meltdowns from snowballing so you can have more peace and calm in your home.
SITUATIONAL MELTDOWNS
Your child does great when you’re around, but when they go into the world or go off to school, all heck breaks loose.
Or maybe it’s the opposite — your child is great at school but explodes when they get home.
Either way, we’ll help you give your child the skills to understand and express themselves, so they no longer shut down or have tantrums.
YOUR OWN MOMMY MELTDOWN
You know it’s important to remain calm when your child has a meltdown, tantrum, or outburst. Yet reminding yourself to “stay calm” doesn’t work. You inevitably snap, then beat yourself up
You’ll see how to keep yourself calm and confident using the Stop, Breathe, Anchor technique.
Here’s what you’ll discover
5 Myths for handling meltdowns — See why common advice like “be consistent,” “set firm boundaries,” “use consequences,” and “connect more” can make the meltdowns worse — and what to do instead
How to eliminate meltdowns, tantrums, and outbursts using the YOU-CUE (you’ll raise a happy, confident child with the skills to self-regulate and solve problems)
How to create a calm, peaceful home where everyone enjoys being together using the Magic Reset Button (if you’ve tried “connecting more” yet your family still can’t stand being around each other, you’ll love this)
7. Bridges in Social Understanding
Bridges is a social understanding curriculum for autistic children and can be used by parents, teachers and clinicians. It teaches a lifelong road map for social understanding.
See free trial: https://bridgessocial.com/free-trial/
A gentle way and evidence-based approach to learn social skills intellectually through structured modular social learning.
It integrates the 3 core theories for understanding how autistic children think and learn:
Theory of Mind
Central Coherence
Executive Function
*The curriculum is trusted by The National Autistic Society.
☆ Education & Schools
Education and schooling for your child will depend on their autistic support needs. Some neurodivergent kids will thrive in a homeschool environment with individualized education. Others may thrive in mainstream education, especially if staff provide the needed support and if their autistic support needs are met. Other kids may need a school that specializes in education for special needs and ASD.
1. Homeschool
Some autistic children will thrive in a homeschool environment where you can cultivate the love of learning and facilitate an individualized education that is child-centered. Where you create a rich, nurturing and challenging learning environment and choose from a wide variety of international curricula to tailor fit your child’s learning needs, intelligence styles, aptitudes and career interests.
For more info on how to homeschool with autism see: https://eunoiahomeschool.com/homeschooling-autism/
For info on homeschooling in general: https://eunoiahomeschool.com/homeschool-support/
2. Saving Grace Special Needs Homeschool Curriculum
Education of Children with Special Needs
Children with ADHD, often require shorter lessons and untimed tests. Children with Down syndrome may need accommodations for reading, writing, and testing. Dyslexic students often benefit from visual aids, assistive technology, and books on tape. Homeschooling can be incredibly beneficial for many special needs children.
Parents who have been battling the school system for a curriculum adaptation for special needs or the ability to dictate their answers to a scribe often feel like their time could be better spent. They may start to ask themselves, “Can I homeschool my special needs child?” The answer, of course, is a resounding, “Yes!”
Homeschool Curriculum for Special Needs Students
Fortunately for homeschooling parents, there is no need for an advanced degree in special education to adequately teach a child. Our Curriculum is designed for teaching children with special needs.
When evaluating special needs curriculum for homeschooling, you should make sure that it:
Proceeds at the students own pace.
Builds on existing reading, writing and math skills.
Allows placement and progress for each child at independent levels for math and language arts.
Encourages kids to become active learners through exploration and discovery.
Introduces new learning opportunities in a safe, supportive environment.
Balances learning with fun!
Our interactive multimedia lessons is perfect for children with short attention spans, autism, processing disorders, dyslexia, and other learning disabilities.
3. iThrive School
Thrive is a reinvention of schooling where your child develops a lifestyle of learning within a community focused on the growth of each individual. Our educators utilize the tools of curating an internationally accredited curriculum and a personalized teaching approach to offer your child completely individualized access to learning.
Thrive is a community of Hubs and Online Pods, each with their own distinctive branch of our Thrive culture of consideration and effective learning.
Our HUBs are an extension of your home where we are intentional about nurturing a space that allows your child to feel comfortable and confident about learning:
thriveHUB DURBANVILLE / thriveHUB NOORDHOEK
4. Vera School for Autistic Learners in Rondebosch
Vera School was founded in 1970. It is the oldest of only five Autism Specific Government schools in South Africa, making specific provision for learners with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
The school is situated on a 1,5 hectare plot of land in the residential suburb of Rondebosch East. It was the first school in the world custom built for learners on the Autism Spectrum. The school has roughly 145 learners and 60 staff members. A hostel for 35 learners is situated on the same premises. The school is a public school functioning under the auspices of the Western Cape Education Department (WCED).
Vera is regarded as a specialist resource center in the field of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Teachers in mainstream, as well as other professionals, consult us for information, support and guidance. Regular workshops are offered by the Vera staff for teachers in ordinary schools who have learners with milder forms of Autism in their classes. These sessions take place either at Vera or off campus.
5. Jan Kriel School in Kuilsrivier
Jan Kriel Skool focuses on the teaching and training of learners with special educational needs.
Jan Kriel Skool offers tuition to learners from Grade R to Grade 12. The curriculum is presented according to the National Revised Curriculum Statement, the same as that of mainstream schools. At the end of Grade 12, learners write the External Senior Certificate Examination of the National Department of Education.
About two thirds of the learner population of Jan Krielskool are Afrikaans-speaking, and about one-third are English-speaking. We strive to unite English- and Afrikaans-speaking learners in a close-knit community where the language and culture of both groups are respected and promoted.
From Grades 1 to 9, learners are grouped according to their language medium of instruction. From Grades 10 to 12, Afrikaans- and English-speaking learners are grouped together for their subjects of choice.
6. Camphill School Hermanus
Tucked away in the folds of the beautiful Hemel en Aarde Valley near Hermanus in the Western Cape Province of South Africa, lies Camphill School, a Christian-based haven of tranquillity for children with intellectual and other disabilities. Established in 1952, as an independent, special needs school, it has offered generations of children the opportunity for high quality education and care.
Deeply rooted in the world-wide Camphill Movement, we believe that all children, no matter what their disability, carry within them a divine spark of humanity, worthy of love, respect and nurturing. In this caring environment, children are assisted to develop to their full, unique potential.
One of only two small special needs schools in the vast, largely-rural Overberg region, it caters for both day and residential learners, aged from 5 to 19 years. Not only do the pupils receive high quality, individualised education in small classes, but they also have access to a wide range of therapies, an educational psychologist and a social worker.
At Camphill School the learners are happy and self-confident. They are loved for the special people they are and offered a chance at self-actualization and hope.
7. The Butterfly Center in Stanford
The Butterfly Centre is an early learning intervention center located at Stanford Hills Estate. The main goal of The Butterfly Centre is to help young girls and boys who struggle to reach their full potential in a mainstream environment as they have certain barriers to learning. The wonderful team at The Butterfly Centre specializes in caring for such children (many of whom are undiagnosed) in an environment where they can not only receive proper individualized schooling and treatment but also thrive in a safe space.
The Butterfly Centre was established due to an ever increasing need in the area for specialized education in the Stanford area and beyond. Children with certain barriers to learning are being turned away from the mainstream, without many other options available to them and their families. Such children are falling through the cracks and risk growing up isolated and unemployable. However, given the right opportunities, these children can find their own special skills and talents and build on these for a successful adult life.
8. Olyfkrans College in Swellendam
Olyfkrans College is a boys school with a difference, offering Grade 7 – 12 dual medium tuition, structured homework sessions and boarding facilities with a remedial approach. Situated in the picturesque country town of Swellendam, Olyfkrans College provides the ideal environment for a learner to lead a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Boarding facilities are available 7 days a week. A reputation for excellence spanning over 50 years following the WCED Curriculum.
9. DS De Wet School for Autism in Bredasdorp
The DS de Wet School for Autism is a community-based center for children on the Autism spectrum. We aim to enrich, empower and equip children on the spectrum to function happily and independently within their community, in order to live meaningful lives. We are committed to creating a safe, accepting, child-centered environment where every learner and parent who cross our doorstep find a sense of belonging.
At DS de Wet, we follow a trans-disciplinary approach to learning and intervention. Upon admission, a comprehensive individualised education plan (IEP) is drawn up for every learner.
We integrate a wide range of educational approaches and techniques to appropriately address the different curricular needs of our learners. Where applicable, we incorporate:
Outcomes as set out in The Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS)
Vocational training
TEACCH (Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communications Handicapped Children) principles
Communicate in Print, a symbol system to understand, learn and communicate which overcomes the barrier that text represents
Sensory integration activities
10. EduExcellence Private Remedial Schools & Online School
Not all children learn the same way. Different children need different teaching methods. Whether your child has been diagnosed with ADD, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, general learning disabilities, visual or auditory integration difficulties or is on the Autism Spectrum, our remedial school can assist as we focus on identifying the underlying neuro-developmental subsystems and treating them by means of our TheraEd approach.
Our unique approach is based on educational neuroscience and has been tested and proven over time. The TheraEd philosophy is one where we create a therapeutic educational environment where children feel safe and nurtured in order to learn and thrive. Daily neuro-developmental activities are presented to build the underlying neurological pathways needed for living and learning. We know that in order to successfully read, write and do arithmetic, they need to have the building blocks to support these activities. EduExcellence remedial school assists learners in emotional and social development, sensory-motor integration as well as cognitive and academic achievement – both in-person and online.
ONLINE SCHOOL
EduExcellence Online, the first online remedial school in South Africa, was launched in 2020, bringing the approach to many children, both nationally and internationally.
Children presenting with ADD, ADHD, general learning difficulties and in need of assisted or remedial education are enrolled within our ONLINE schools. Adaptations are made within the method of presentation to accommodate optimal learning.
As we specialize in neuro-development and welcome neuro-diversity. We aim to assist as many learners as possible within EduExcellence Satellites from Grade 1 all the way up to Grade 12.
We’re an online school—but what does that mean? It means that learners attend school from the safety of their own home where they can focus on their studies without distractions, without peer pressure, and with the help of excellent teachers. Daily structure and lessons are provided through an interactive online school environment.
By providing high-quality instruction in the virtual classroom, we aim to create a long-lasting, positive experience for children’s success throughout their school career. We aim to help build a strong foundation for learners to become academically successful and well-rounded in an increasingly diverse society. We follow the CAPS curriculum but we adapt our curriculum to accommodate assisted and remedial education.
Although we value academic achievement, we understand that learning only takes place within an emotionally supportive environment.
All our teachers are trained as co-therapists and implement the TheraEd Approach in creating a Therapeutic Environment where children can learn and thrive.
TUTORS
11. WCED List of Special Needs Schools in the Western Cape
12. DBE List of Special Needs Schools
A special-needs school caters for students who have special educational needs due to severe learning difficulties, physical disabilities or behavioral problems.
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