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MAMA Angel has donated groceries to the Children's Disability Centre in Johannesburg. The centre caters for children with autism and visual impairment. It was established in 1983 at the Transvaal Memorial Institute and offers pre-school and foundation phase in education. There is early intervention, medical care and training after diagnosis.
"We offer education for visually impaired and autistic children with built-in therapy. We use the services of a speech therapist, physiotherapist and occupational therapist," said Fani Mnisi, the organisation's fundraiser.
"Autism and blindness are lifetime disabilities and we have a challenge about what to do about the children when they turn 18 years old. There are plans in the pipeline to develop a youth centre for those over 18."
Because of the nature of their development level being lower than that of other children, there are two teachers per class who each teach different skills.
The Gauteng department of education pays for one teacher and the other is paid by the centre. The teachers often attend courses to upgrade their skills. The pupils need toilet training, which they oftenforget.
"The school starts at 7am and many of the children come here not having eaten because it takes time for the mother to prepare such a child. We provide a full breakfast and lunch.
"Fees are R900 but some parents can only afford R50. We need to raise funds for our activities and also to raise awareness of autism in the community."
Mnisi said most autistic children are male and that they have problems with language, social interaction, imagination, heightened sensory perception and hyperactivity.
"We work closely with Chris Hani-Baragwanath and Charlotte Maxeke hospitals which help us with assessment and diagnosis from zero to three years."
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