Autistic child wants to go back to school

With April being Autism Acceptance Month, the family of Amahle Khomo (12) in Mtwalume is asking the public to assist in getting the little girl a formal education.

According to the mother, Zandile Khomo, Amahle was diagnosed with Autism at the Port Shepstone Regional Hospital.

She said the last time her daughter was in school, was when she was nine years old.

Khomo said her daughter is only able to speak English (not perfectly) because she is always glued to the television.

She explained that when Amahle was growing up she seemed perfect until it was time to speak.

“I went to the local clinic and Amahle received speech therapy because the doctors thought it was just a delay in her being able to speak. She was then referred to the Port Shepstone Regional Hospital where she was diagnosed with Autism. She spends so much time watching television that the only language she speaks is English although we all speak IsiZulu,” she said.

Khomo added that Amahle was previously a learner at Schola Amoris in Umzinto.

She said the school bus fetched her but after learners had to move to a hostel, Amahle had to drop out.

“She was not ready to be on her own. There were some things she needed to learn to take care of herself but now she is a big girl, that is why we are asking for assistance to send her back to school because she loves learning,” she said.

Speaking to Fever, Amahle said she loves learning and reading, saying that she would be very happy to get an opportunity to go back to school.

Reaching out to Fever, the Lizwi Maphumulo Foundation raised concerns about Amahle’s struggle to get a formal education.

The foundation’s, Sli Maphumulo, said Amahle’s situation was brought to them by a woman who works in the community.

“We became curious after we heard of a child speaking English but hasn’t been attending school. After an assessment, we realised that Amahle needs formal education. She needs a school that caters to special needs, our biggest challenge is how can Amahle access a special school because there are only two such schools in the Ugu District.”

“One is in Umzinto and the other in Port Shepstone. Looking at the area she lives in and her family’s financial situation, she will have to live at a hostel. Our role as the foundation is to identify the problem and seek people who can assist her,” she said.

Anyone wishing to assist Amahle can contact her mother on 079 7628114.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Like the South Coast Fever’s Facebook page