Neuro Development Clinic formally handed over at Far East Rand Hospital
“From there, we can develop a home programme that the parents can do not only at home, but also at school with their teacher,” says occupational therapist Amorise Ströh.
The Neuro Development Clinic was formally handed over to Far East Rand Hospital’s (FERH) management.
This clinic uses the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) system to diagnose and assess children who could be autistic.
Since opening in May, the clinic has attracted a large number of patients and currently has a waiting list of 70 children who need to be assessed.
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The clinic is an important addition to the area because patients will no longer have to travel to Johannesburg, where patients are put on a six-month waiting list.
In addition to the diagnosis and assessment of children, the clinic has also opened a therapy centre to equip parents and children with the skills they need to cope on a daily basis.
“Children who are autistic are not all the same.
“Some are sensory-avoiding and others are sensory-seeking, so once they come in to see me, we do a sensory profile on them.
“From there, we can develop a home programme that the parents can do not only at home, but also at school with their teacher,” says occupational therapist Amorise Ströh.
At present, the clinic does not have a full-time occupational therapist and relies on volunteers.
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Alongside the occupational therapist is a multi-disciplinary team that includes paediatricians and psychologists.
CEO of FERH, Dr Lesia Nkele, says the clinic is doing great work and must be supported at every turn as they serve as a catchment area for the East Rand.
“It is only through the early diagnosis and early appropriate intervention that we can help children and their families cope with living with autism.
“That will only increase the community’s knowledge and understanding of what autism is,” says Nkele.
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