The Star Academy breaks through the silence on Autism Day
WAVERLY – Many children with autism struggle to communicate vocally, a skill that comes naturally to most.
Just imagine your experience of the world if you were unable to effectively use your voice or communicate your needs.
This is the world of silence which many children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience before receiving the relevant support and instruction.
The Star Academy in Waverly will focus on the topic this year when they celebrate the annual World Autism Awareness Day on 2 April to help create awareness about autism and children affected by it.
According to The Star Academy director Ilana Gerschlowitz, autism impacts each person differently and the difference is mostly with children showing different strengths and weaknesses.
“However, many children with autism struggle to produce vocal communication, a skill that comes naturally to most of us,” she said.
Gerschlowitz is a specialist in providing solutions for children with autism through applied behavioural analysis (ABA), in order to facilitate recovery. She said that if left untreated, autism can be a debilitating diagnosis as a child may not speak or effectively communicate their needs or feelings. She added that some of the factors of the disorder are the struggle to fall and stay asleep, difficulties consuming a balanced diet, inability to establish or maintain friendships, hyperactivity, struggling to occupy oneself or finding it challenging to learn from the natural environment the way typically developing children do.
“Receiving early intervention in the form of ABA means autism need not be a lifelong disability and children can recover. Not every child will recover completely but they can certainly make progress towards leading functional and independent lives.”
Gerschlowitz said recovery is a gradual process and it doesn’t look the same for everyone, but recovery doesn’t necessarily mean ‘just like the kid next door’ – it means gradual increases of functionality and ability, paving the way for more opportunities in life.
“It doesn’t get erased, but adds that support and assistance that is key in breaking through the silence enabling many individuals on the spectrum to learn to deal successfully with their challenges and lead independent lives.”
Details: The Star Academy
Related article:
https://northeasterntribune.co.za/217176/as-many-as-one-in-68-children-could-have-autism/
