Welcome

This blog is established for all who are involved in Autism. We encourage all to comment, add your voice, share your experiences and encourage others to speak out about their frustrations, up and downs, lows and highs! and also to identify their needs with regard to a family member on the spectrum.

In South Africa, the government do very little to support those with autism especially in their adult years from 18 years of age and up. If  parents are lucky to have their children with autism attending a special needs school up to the age of 18, parents and family, are then faced with the burden of finding a suitable place to continue their young adult's  life experience, and possibly training in a vocation. In today's world and in most families, both parents have to work, leaving no option but to employ a carer to look after the young adult. Experienced carers are expensive and scarce, and parents usually end up employing carers with little or no experience, and possibly simply a "baby sitter", who should ideally receive specialised training in the care and handling and understanding of the person on the spectrum disability of autism. Understanding the behaviour of the person with autism is of utmost importance for the person taking care of him or her. The danger, if the carer does not understand the autistic adult, is that the adult becomes frustrated because the carer does not understand their needs and in  frustration could strike out, which  in some cases becomes unfairly labelled as aggression.

If parents can get together and share the cost of an experienced and trained person and establish a situation whereby the adults with autism can become involved with activities that will entertain, occupy and benefit  them throughout the day, giving self-worth and meaning to their lives,  many frustrations and behavioural problems can be avoided and thus parents will enjoy the support that they desperately require.

To take this further, we need to understand the following.

1. How many adults in South Africa are affected with Autism from the ages 16 years and above?
2. How many of theses adults live at home under parent care?
3. Is there a service needed. If so, what type; Day Centre, Residential/Respite Care or Support Group?


If we can get feed back on these questions-  we can identify the need and act, provide and advocate accordingly.


Please give us your feed back...