Here’s how you can help create awareness on autism
The Nkazi Stimulation Centre, will host an autism awareness walk on August 18.
AIMING to create awareness on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and various types of disabilities, the Nkazi Stimulation Centre, will host an autism awareness walk on August 18.
The march will commence at 09:00 from 169 Wood Road to 314 Kenyon Howden Road in Montclair.
Based in Osprey Road in Yellowwood Park, the centre is dedicated to children with moderate to severe physical and mental disabilities and those with ASD, and opened in May 2015 after heeding the call from parents for a facility catering for children with special needs.
ALSO READ: Everything you need to know about service, guide and autism support dogs
Striving to foster, promote, encourage, advance and develop therapy and educational services for children with all types of disabilities, the centre strives to develop a firm foundation for disabled children.
The centre focuses on early stimulation, physical rehabilitation, cognitive rehabilitation, psychosocial rehabilitation, early childhood development services and teaching of life skills, to enable disabled children to be integrated into the community and lead independent lives with their disabilities.
Amahle Hlophe from the centre, said when founders heard the cries for help from parents who were unable to enroll children with severe disabilities into crèches, day care centres and schools, the centre was established.
“The Nkazi Stimulation Centre is the only facility of its kind in the eThekwini district that renders rehabilitation and early childhood development services. We do not discriminate on the basis of the type or degree of disability and we have an occupational therapist with over 20 years of experience to help the children.
“We welcome individuals with multiple disabilities and those deemed severe, many of whom would be denied acceptance at other educational facilities including daycare centres,” said Hlope.
The centre caters for about 30 children with disabilities who attend weekday stimulation programmes designed to meet their special needs and interests.
Staff at the centre encourage residents to join the march to find out more about autism and dealing with children with special needs. Autism awareness T-shirts are available from the centre.
For more information, contact Amahle Hlope on 031 452 6100.
For more Southlands Sun news, follow us on Facebook or Twitter. You can also follow us on Instagram.
