Dr Rakhee Singh, mother of Mehul Soni (8), told North Eastern Tribune that Centre for Autism, Research and Education (CARE) has really improved the living condition of her child.
Singh said this during the official launch of CARE which was recently moved to Orange Grove at Reglan Street.
Singh’s 8-year-old boy was diagnosed with autism disorder when he was 18-months-old and he was then enrolled at CARE when he was 27-months-old.
Singh said when she first noticed his son’s condition he showed all the red flags of autism including being anti-social, blind and he had a speech problem.
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“When I first noticed his condition I realised he could not speak let alone to take out his shoes or a cap from his head.
“I then enrolled him here at CARE and it gave him adequate tools to cope with his daily life. CARE is really a life saver,” said Singh.
Soni left last year at CARE and Singh said he attends a private school now and he’s doing Grade Two but still take weekly therapy sessions at the centre.
Soni has even won an American award with a picture he drew of a giraffe and his drawing will feature in an autism textbook written by a professor of autism in America.
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Singh has urged parents with children suffering from autism disorder to not feel despondent but to seek help as soon as possible and get the best outcome.
Adele Hattingh, a specialist educator said CARE is a specialised intervention centre for children on autism spectrum.
She said currently they have about 38 children in six state-of-the-art classrooms which run as separate units.
“All our children are grouped according to their skills.
“Even the way the centre it is built it is custom made and the classes are placed in a way that take into account the needs of our children,” she said.
Details: www.thecarecentre.co.za
