Witrand Hospital has recently focused on raising awareness of autism. The hospital held a campaign in the recreational hall on Tuesday, 18 April, hosted by Witrand’s speech therapy and occupational therapy departments.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterised by differences in social skills, communication, and behaviour.
People with autism experience differences in how they communicate and interact socially, where their behaviour may be somewhat repetitive. All these may be across a spectrum, meaning one child will not be the same as another.
“Autism disorder is a complex and sensitive mental challenge, where diagnosed patients do not portray similar symptoms,” the principal of Olive Tree School Mrs Elizabeth Meyer explained.
She also highlighted the importance of the school in assisting children and parents dealing with autism. “Autism is more visible in boys than girls, with boys showing signs and symptoms earlier than girls. That makes it challenging to diagnose girls earlier,” she said.
Witrand spokesperson Nico Masiu said autism was not a disease or illness, but those with autism tend to experience differences in their senses, affecting how they feel about and respond to their surroundings. Individualised support is the key. Support strategies depend on the challenges the person is experiencing; something that works for one may not necessarily work in the same way for another.
Dr Gladys Moletsane, a medical officer and mother to a child with autism at Witrand, shared her journey and experience with her 10-year-old son, Rethabile, who was diagnosed with ASD. “As a mother, I did not see my child‘s signs and symptoms. At first, I thought he would develop all the skills as he grew, just like any other child.
“When the school summoned me about his aggression and lack of interaction with other children, they said we should do something about the child,” she recalls. “Because there is no specific treatment for ASD, they introduced me to various support groups and a TV series (The Good Doctor), which helped us deal with Rethabile at home as a family.”
Kutloano Mtimkulu, head of the speech therapy and audiology department at Witrand Hospital and event organiser, said people with ASD are often classified as naughty or uncontrollable. “It is our social responsibility as professionals to put these unknown and unfamiliar conditions in the spotlight and create awareness to identify them early because knowledge is power, and we can make a difference,” she said. Masiu said people can now get all the assistance and support from Witrand Hospital’s expertise.
