Annual Report

(Period April 1st 2013 – March 31st 2014)

Ground Floor, Children’s Memorial Institute

13 Joubert St Ext, Cnr Empire Road. Braamfontein. 2001

Tel: 011 484 9909 Fax: 011 484 3171

info@autismsouthafrica.org

www.autismsouthafrica.org

P.O Box 84209. Greenside. 2034

Section 18A Tax Exemption No: 18/11/13/2213

NPO No: 000 – 454 NPO

PBO No: 2997/093/84/5

Auditors

Oct∆gon Chartered Accountants

Private Bag X02 Highlands North 2037

Tel: 011 531 7300

Chairman’s Report March 2013

The past year has been one of change and growth for Autism South Africa (A;SA). In her first year

as National Director, Sandy Klopper has settled in and is doing great work, despite the many

challenges. She has done her utmost to galvanise and motivate the staff to achieve as much as

possible.

In December 2013, for the first time since 2011, all the full-time staff was

brought together for a week of training in Johannesburg. It was a much

needed team building exercise that gave everyone the opportunity to

properly meet each other, as well as Sandy, culminating in a Christmas

Lunch. This will be followed up in 2014 with a day of Team building which

I believe will go a long way in developing Team A;SA. I am confident that

with Sandy at the helm A;SA will prosper and I wish her and “The Team”

well.

Our 2012 funding proposal to NLDTF was successful, with the much needed funding coming

through at the end of 2013. One of the immediate benefits was the appointment of Thando

Makapela as our Regional Development Officer for the North West Province. This is a neglected

region with virtually no services or facilities for adults and children with ASD. Thando has her work

cut out for her, but I am sure she will tackle the challenge with great determination. We are

excited about the growth and impact of services, not only in the North West but right across South

Africa.

A;SA is delighted with the kick-off of “Hands On Autism” which provides

affordable, practical and hands on ASD specific training to teachers,

therapists and classroom assistants. Developed by Claire Allen, Reinette

Lombard and Tam Bennet in collaboration with JHS4Autism School,

“Hands On Autism” is a much needed in-depth addition to the

workshops currently offered by A;SA and the response has been

phenomenal.

All of the training provided by A;SA’s is accredited, for continuing education points, by the Health

Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) and the South African

Council of Social Service Practitioners (SACSSP). The aim is to have

our training accredited by the South African Council of Educators

(SACE) for 2014. MGSL has also approved A;SA as a preferred

service provider for the Department of Education’s Autism training.

Training over the past year has targeted Departments of Education,

Public Health and Social Development as well as early childhood development centres and more.

The monthly Autism Screening Clinic continued under the guidance of Professor Lorna Jacklin and

Doctors Thomson, Bezuidenhout, Kelly and Belsham. Together with an amazing and skilled team of

therapists they are providing an invaluable service. I sincerely thank everyone involved with the

Clinic for their dedication and passion which has resulted in 33 individuals being diagnosed

and/or referred for appropriate intervention.

We were saddened when our one year agreement with Wetpaint came to an end

and sincerely thank them for all their support and input into our Social Media

Campaign. Thanks to their efforts, A;SA started using platforms like Facebook to

spread awareness of autism. However, as the old adage of one door closing…

another opened with Ogilvy taking on A;SA as a pro-bono clients for 2014/2015. In the

short time since Ogilvy has partnered with A;SA, the media coverage and campaign

has already proved priceless. Within the first week, Sandy was asked to join CARE Therapy

Manager, Krishen Samuels, on Great Expectations on ETV! Thank you to the Ogilvy team and in

particular Jacqui O’Sullivan for pointing them our way.

I would like to extend my thanks to House of Brave and Mediacom for their continued support.

As with most NGO’s in the disability sector, A;SA is dependent on benefactors, for survival. There

are times when the financial future of A;SA looks rather precarious but we are extremely fortunate

to have generous benefactors willing to assist where possible. I would like to extend heartfelt

appreciation and thanks to all of our benefactors, on behalf of A;SA and our all-important

beneficiaries.

I sincerely thank Insure Group Managers for their incredible donation of R500 000. This is the single

largest corporate donation that we have received in our 24 year history.

I would like to especially thank two of our loyal funders, the Federated Employers Mutual

Assurance Company and ADD Electrical Contractors, whose generous and continued support

ensures that support to individuals with Autism continues throughout the country.

I would also like to thank Casual Day for selecting A;SA as a national beneficiary for the first time

in 2013. In this regard I must thank the companies, schools, hospitals and individuals for their

support in purchasing Casual Day stickers from us. Words are not enough to express our gratitude

to the RAM Hand-to-Hand Courier Team without whom this would not have been possible. RAM’s

contribution is however not restricted to Casual Day, anything A;SA needs sent somewhere in the

country is delivered by RAM, free of charge; hands down the best courier company in the land.

Fundraising events that took place during the past

year included Christmas in July, the annual A;SA

Golf Day at Parkview, and Carols by Candlelight. In

addition to which the 7de Laan cast rode in the 94.7

cycle race with A;SA and UNICA school being the

beneficiaries.

A special thank you goes to Hector Kingwill. He started working flexi-time, helping with the

financial records and is now working full-time, in retirement. His meticulous eye for detail and work

ethic is of great value and greatly appreciated.

On 8th May 2013, Hon. Bathabile Dlamini, Minister of Social Development announced during the

tabling of the Budget that significant focus will be placed on Autism and that much needed

funding will be allocated to this neglected disability. Never before have we drawn the attention

of Government and we look forward to the fruits being borne by the lobbying by A;SA over the

past 24 years!

This is my final year as Chairman of A;SA as I believe it is time for new and younger blood on the

NEC. I would like to thank the numerous Members of the NEC and members of staff that I have

worked with over the years. All their contributions have been responsible for the significant growth

and development of A;SA, since my initial involvement. I am sure that A;SA will continue to grow

from strength to strength and I wish the new Chairman and NEC as well as Sandy and her A;SA

Team all of the best for a fantastic future.

PAUL PRATT.

A;SA Chairman

National Executive Committee 2012 – 2014

Chairman: Paul

Pratt

Father of an adult with autism. Chairman of ASA

since 2002.

Vice-Chairman:

David Griessel

Principal Specialist – Dept of Paediatrics and Child

health University of the Free State.

Treasurer: Hector

Kingwill

Bookkeeper – friend of Autism South Africa

Petrus De Vries

Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

University of Cape Town

Thando Makapela

Mother of young adult with autism

Petra Dillmann

Mother of a young adult with autism. Founding

member and Director of Autism Asperger Namibia.

Aretha Kausele

Mother of a son with autism

My first four months of Autism South Africa have been a whirlwind trip of learning and experiences!

I could never have anticipated the amount of work, energy and emotion goes into leading the

team of Autism SA. My impression thus far… I have found where I belong!

Thank you to the team and community for welcoming me so graciously. All the support and

assistance given to me while I found my feet has been priceless!

I am really looking forward to making a tangible difference to the organisation as well as the

community which we serve! Autism South Africa’s face is changing and I do hope that everyone is

holding on tightly for the ride!

All the Best,

Sandy

Head Office Staff

National Director Sandra

Klopper

Tel: 011 484 9909

director@autismsouthafrica.org

Resource

Development

Officer

Claudia

Ceresa

Tel: 011 484 9909

claudia@autismsouthafrica.org

National Education

Facilitator

Claire Allen

011 484 9909

educator@autismsouthafrica.org

Office Administrator Binwell Keshi

011 484 9909

info@autismsouthafrica.org

Internal

Bookkeeper

Hector

Kingwill

011 484 9909

admin@autismsouthafrica.org

Regional Development Officers

Autism South

Africa Eastern

Cape Branch

Antoinette

Bruce-Alexander

Tel: 071 360 3992

easterncape@autismsouthafrica.org

Autism North

West

(March 2014)

Thando

Makapela

Tel: 079 392 2786

support@autismsouthafrica.org

Autism South

Africa KwaZulu-

Natal Branch

Rosemary Shezi

Tel: 071 360 4034

kwazulu-natal@autismsouthafrica.org

Autism South

Northern

Cape/Free

State

Ruth Blood

Tel: 071 473 4293

freestate@autismsouthafrica.org

Autism South

Africa Limpopo

and

Mpumalanga

Mary Moeketsi

Tel: 071 360 6535

limpopo@autismsouthafrica.org

Head Office

Media Campaign 2013

On the advice of media experts and the approval of our membership and NEC Autism SA

embarked on a ‘shock tactic’ media campaign. To our dismay this campaign was met with high

criticism and had to be immediately withdrawn. The intention was to get South Africa talking

about Autism, not to offend anyone. We again extend our apologies to any individual or family

that were upset by the campaign.

Training and Exhibitions

ACSA Disability Expo

Department of Human Settlement

Department of Science and Technology

Department of Health: Health Promoters

Hands On Autism: Moving Forward – Module 1 & Module 2

Cresset House

Thandulwazi Maths and Science Academy (St Stithians Foundation) – over 500 teachers!

Proposals for training and funding

Department of Social Development

Department of Education (Gauteng)

US Ambassadors Self-Help Fund

Independent Development Trust (8x provinces)

LGBTI

HCI Foundation

Reports and reapplications sent to Anglo American Chairman’s Fund and Nedbank

foundation

Accreditation

Health Professions Council – 6 points for 1 day workshop; 20 points for 3 day Hands On

workshop

South African Council of Social Services – 3 Points for 1 day workshop; 15 points for Hands

On workshop

In the process of registering as service provider for Dept of Education (MGSL)

Assessment Clinic

The Assessment Clinic is hosted monthly at Autism South Africa.

Multi-disciplinary Team assessment assisting between 1 – 4 families per clinic

Support groups

Charlotte Maxeke Hospital Neuro-Developmental Clinic and Autism Clinic

Parent Support Group at Charlotte Maxeke Speech Therapy Dept 07/02/2014 (BK)

Networking, Advocacy and Awareness

Association for Autism

Autism Western Cape

NACOSS

Vera School

South African Disability Alliance

Department of Education

Inclusive Education

Carols by Candlelight

Coaches who care – Investec and the Fresh Group

PRASA

House of Brave

Star Academy

Association for Autism

U.N.I. 4 learning (SK, CA)

Johannesburg Hospital School Training Team

Insure Group: Inspiration

MANCO

Family Support

Assessment Clinic Matters – approximately 147 families

School Requests – approximately 240 families

Referrals to Drs. Etc – approximately 27 families

Other e.g. ICE bracelet enquiries – approximately 48 familes

Over 50 000 informational brochures were sent out across South Africa

5000 Aut;Talk publications were distributed to members of Autism South Africa

Educational First Aid Kit Donations:

Eastern Cape

Dept of Health Learn and play Pre School Theodor Herzl School

Autism Sinethemba Bilitech Primary School Vukuhambe Special School

Aurora Special Care Centre Liz Watsson-Parent Vulekani Special School

Arcadia School Ikamva School Vukuzenzele

Cape Recife High School Leolan Academy Westview School

College Street Primary Quest School Kuswag Primary

Education Support Centre St Barts Academy Kuyasa SS

Efata School St Patrick's SS McClelland Adult Centre

Elsen Academy Tembisa Special School New Rest - USENAP

Fundisa Special School Tsolo Special School Nolitha Special School

Fundukwenza Care Centre Luthando Luvuyo School Nontuthuzelo Primary

Ikhwezi Lokusa School Sedibeng School - deaf Parkland Special School

Kanyisa Special School Sigcau Special School Spesiale Skool Bergsig

Khayalethu Special School Sive School Kings Kids Edu-care

Free State

Boitumelo Special School Temoso Special School Pelonomi Hospital

Leboneng Special School Lilian Lehehla Special School Support group

Learamele Special School Kagisho Day care School Joahnn Slabbert Skool

Pholoho Special School Itsoseng Day Care School truly Blessed School

Gauteng

Isozolwetu School Bodisa day Care Rethabile day Care

Sunshine School Sisonke Day Care Tsalanang

Maleeha Layla Centre Phutanang School Talifthan School

Phelang School Pull together Zimeleni special School

Kethiwee Stimulation

Centre Albertina Sisulu School

Westrand School

Madressa Islamic School Khutso day Care Jongspan Primary

New Horizon school Zenzele School Monyakeng School

Grace day Care centre Inkwekwezi day care Thabo Mbeki day Care

Kwa-Zulu Natal

Bumbisizwe School Inkanyezi Training Centre S Dass School

Ekukhanyeni Special School Inkanyiso Special School Sisizakele School

Entokozweni Special School Ningizimu Special School St. Christophers School

Ethembeni School Ocean View Primary School St. Raphael's School

Ekuthuthukeni School Open Air School Stanger Training Centre

Golden Steps School Open Gate School Sunfield Home School

Harding Special School Peter Pan School Ukukhanya Komsinga School

H.S. Ebrahim School for LSEN pholela Vuleka School for the Deaf

Horizon Farm RP Moodley School Vumanisabelo Special School

Inanda special Schola Amoris school YWCA Special School

Zamimpilo Special School Zululand Remedial Centre Vumanisabelo Special School

Limpopo

New Horizon school Grace and Hope School Grace day Care centre

Solomon Snyman

Mpumalanga

Mable hall Masinakane Pelonolo School

Talifthan School Mantjendi School Wolwenkop

Ms Fenki Kekana

Outside South Africa

Autism Namibia Kabwe Autism School Camphill Centre

Northern Cape

Tlhlabologo Day Care Magda King Kantinka Van Oosen school

Frances Baard Therapists Oasis Skills Development Kagisho Day care School

Leonie meyer

North West

MM Sebitloane School

Regional Offices

Autism South Africa’s mission is to provide access to services within a 30km radius of families

affected by and individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder! Autism South Africa’s community

based Regional Development Officers strive daily to empower, educate and facilitate

upskilling at any and all levels of engagement. The addition of 1 extra office early in 2014 saw 7

of the 9 provinces having at least 1 ‘go to’ person! Each RDO works tirelessly and often

thanklessly to ensure that more and more families each year have someone to call when

needed.

Free State/Northern Cape – Ruth Blood

Information/Training Sessions Presented

Parent I/ Session (NC) Emang Mmogo High School

(NC)

Galeshewe Aged (NC)

Dr. Harry Surtie Hospital Upington Therapists (NC) Kimberley Hospital (NC)

Oasis Skills Development

Centre

Maphiko Group (Gauteng) Kimberley City Clinic (NC)

Department of Education Kimberley Rotary Club (NC) Tlhokomelo One Stop (NC)

Department of Social

Development in Upington

Amelia Centre (FS) Kakamas Hospital (NC)

Sol Plaatje School (NC) Francis Baard District (NC) De Aar Hospital (NC)

Association for Persons with

Disability (FS)

Central Karoo Hospital (NC) Thabane High School (NC)

Sebitloane Special School

(NW)

NG Kerk Welsyn (NC)

Support to families

Family support – 8 families

Pelonomi Parent Support Group (FS)

Classroom and School Support

Oasis Skills Development Centre

Sol Plaatje School

Sebitloane Special School

Emang Mmogo High School

Thabane High School

Areas Visited

Kimberley

Taung

Upington

Postmansburg

Phutanang

Eastern Cape – Antoinette Bruce-Alexander

Information Sessions / Workshops presented.

Buffalo City Metro Daycare Forum

Lillyfontein School, Gonubie, East London

Berea Baptist Church

Support to families

Parent Support: over 50 families

Donated Starter Kit to Watson family.

Support Group Meetings

19 November 2013, 20 Sept 2013, 20 August 2013, 16 July 2013, 11 June 2013, 09 April 2013

Classroom and School Support

St Andrews College, Grahamstown

Baysville Special School support

Tsolo Special School support, training & Donation of a Starter Kit

Kwakhanya Centre support, training and donation of Educational First Aid Kit

Department of Health:

Grey Hospital in King Williams Town

Areas Visited

Buffalo City

Mdantsane

Grahamstown

King Williams Town

Bhisho

Sweetwaters, Zwelitsha

Tsolo

General

Autism South Africa – Eastern Cape is a registered service provider for the Department of

Education

Big Walk for Autism in East London for Autism Awareness Month.

Process of registration A;SA, EC as a service provider to EC Government with Dept of

Treasury, Bhisho. We are now officially registered.

Advocacy, advocacy, advocacy!

Autism South Africa Activities

Kwa-Zulu Natal – Rosemary Shezi

Information/Training sessions presented

KPACC ( Kwazulu-Natal Provincial Advisory Council for Children

Khanana Old Age Home

UMlazi AA clinic

Nedbank Call Centre Mount Edgecombe

Izwi Lomzansi Radio Talk Show

EThekwini Mothers Forum

Greys Hospital

Vulekani Special School

Dept. of Health provincial rehab Teams

Midlands Complex: Grey’s Hospital

North Coastal Region: Empangeni Department of Health District

Ethekwini Metro Region: Clairwood Hospital

Hope World Wide SA: ECD Practitioners, Cator Manor

Durban and Coastal Mental Health Social Workers

Mzamo Child Guidance Social Workers: Umlazi

KwaNdengexi Cluster: Main Stream educators and assistants

Support to families

Family Support – 24 families

Host Pietermaritzburg Parent Support group 1x month

Classroom and School Support

YWCA Special School iNdaleni Special School

Stanger Training Centre 100 Acres Home School

Sizabantwana Open Air School

Georgedale Community Hall Empilweni Centre

Vulekani Botate Primary

Sunfields Home School Khulangolwazi Special School

KwaManzini

Areas Visited

uMzimkhulu (Clysdale) Melmoth

ENdaleni Canelands

Stanger Pietermaritzburg

Verulam Pinetown

EMbo Cator Manor

Madadeni Durban

Ngwavuma

Limpopo/Mpumalanga – Mary Moeketsi

Information/Training Sessions Presented:

Waterberg district Porters’s house ministry

Vhembe district Autism Asiphumelele Lsen

Capricorn district municipality Kwagga district (Mpum)

Mahlodumele Full Service school Moretele district (Mpum)

Sekhukhune District Based support Team Siyabuswa district (Mpum)

Pontsho disability centre Nelspruit

Matobule Lsen School Witbank

Polokwane WAAD Centenary House – Polokwane

Health Promoters – Dept of Health Gauteng

Family Support

Support for almost 60 Families

Parents Support Group Meeting 1x per month

School and Classroom Support

Rant en Dal School Nokuthula Special School in Alexandria.

Capricorn district based support team meeting Bosele Lsen school

Progressive ECD in Lebowakgomo Tembinkosi Lsen

Reinotswe Special School

Awareness and Exhibitions

Media

Etv sunrise

Lesedi fm

Radio pulpit

Radio Islam

SABC (siswati fm)

Radio pulpit(western cape)

SAMA conference

Areas Visited

Witbank Capricorn Waterberg Nelspruit Sekhukhune

Polokwane Randburg Lebowakgomo Alexanda Kwagga

Vhembe Moretele Siyabuswa

North West Province – Thando Makapela

I started building ground and foundation in the North West in March of this year. At first it was felt

that I was spying and so my visits were met with some resistance, but this quickly improved as I

spent time with the community and educators. Within a week or two my presence and return

visits were being requested. The community really appreciate the support and assistance.

One thing that I noticed the North West is the most under-resourced Province. In the rural areas it

is very clear that there are no social services, health services or educational support services. The

clinics seem to be managed by security personnel! The most horrendous thing I witnessed was in

Moruleng. A child was being tied to a tree as educators do not have an idea what to do with him

while they manage the other 30 learners. I quickly intervened on this case and met with the

parents. It turned out that the parents are unemployed and they have no resources to take the

child for diagnosis. I requested the Principal to call the Department of Social Development and

request that a social worker intervene immediately.

Matters have already improved and I being requested to visit many areas within the province to

talk and drive awareness campaigns.

National Lotteries Board

R1 553 200

Insure Group Managers

R510 000

Fed. Employers Mutual Ass

R300 000

Casual Day

R263 534

Concord Trust

R150 000

RB Hagart

R100 000

Anglo American Chairman’s Fund

R75 000

ADD Electrical Contractors

R70 000

Toys R Us

R62 500

Fraser Alexander

R50 000

Nedbank Foundation

R50 000

Robert Niven Trust

R50 000

Dischem

R45 000

House of Brave

R890 000

My ADSL Broadband News cc R424 837

Wetpaint

R321 750

Mediamark

R280 200

Primelites R103 725

Continental R83 832

Sowetan R79 440

RAM Hand-to-Hand Couriers

R112 356

Capro Ltd R58 501

Mail & Guardian R30 278

R20 000 - R30 000

Nashua Mobile

Lowenstein Trust

Deloittes

Ads 24 (Services)

Mediacom

R Whitehorn

R10 000 – R19 999

Antalis SA (Pty) Ltd (Services)

RM Pearse

Christmas in July

Unichem

Beacon Lighting

Dr PR Johnson

Arcfyre International

PEP Stores

Danie Odendaal productions

Tom & Evelyn Yates

Pallet Supply Company

Lewis Stores

CPS

University of Witwatersrand

Corporate Printing Solutions (services)

Techniad AD

R5 000-R9 999

Multiprint Litho

SA Fed for Mental Health

Colour Corp (Services)

Blond Productions

Signman 94cc (Services)

Bryanston High School

Arthur Bales

Amanda Bradford

Willowton Foundation

DWR Distribution

Fuchs Foundation

Pentagon Pistols

< R5 000

Arabella Hotel and Spa (Services)

Vera Oosthuizen

Dr HR Voigt

Spoor & Fisher

Lighting Innovations

Parkview golf Club

Chris Gealy

Strategic Personnel

Dream Sets

La Farge

Charity Race

Let’s Talk

Wellington Autism Centre

The Ridge School

C Moreton

Credit Guarantee

Michiel van Niekerk

Orion Pack

FFS Refinery

Premier Verification (Services)

P Dlamini

Benneton Insurance Brokers

Coronation Training School

My World

Wiggles & Squiggles

Vulekani Special School

Reichmans

Neo Medical Sustainable Solutions

N McDowell

Mazars

St Andrews College

Gill Kretzschmar

SSE Linkworld

Osrin Trust

Olympic Flair

Freemasons (District Lodge)

WBHO

Prof RWE Joubert

<R1000

Randburg Clinic School

S Kahn

NAPTOSA

M Schutte

MTSO

TVL Electric Motors

Orkilla

New Beginnings

Greenfield Family

LM Pitt

De Aar Hospital

The I,T&R Cohen Trust

Western Area Library

Andrew & Fiona Browne

Tabtoob SA

Ellies

R Faulconbridge

C Greyling

G Hahn

C Mare

L Kulube

Tanaka Dhliwayo

M Barton

RJ Stacey 50

2013 has seen autism awareness increase and the call for information sessions and training spread

across the many provinces.

We have welcomed many exciting opportunities for Autism South Africa. The highlights for me

have to be being able to attend the World Autism Organisation conference in Dublin and the

development of our “Hands On Autism” Course towards the end of 2013.

Below is a list of the many school visits and training sessions I have carried out between April 2013

and March 2014

Site Visits and Classroom Support:

Chrysallis Academy Randburg Clinic School Gauteng

Unity College – Gauteng New Covenant Development Centre

Khulani Special School KZN Lesedi pre-school Gauteng

Intuthuko Special School KZN The Talk Shop Gauteng

Creative world Academy C.A.R.E Gauteng

Forest Farm Centre – Gauteng Anne Harding Cheshire Home Gauteng

Amazing K – Gauteng Nokuthula Special School Gauteng

Coronation Training Centre Gtng UNICA School Gauteng

St Raphael’s Special School KZN

Workshops/training:

Westonaria Library - Gauteng SAALED conference - Gauteng

The Teddy Bear Clinic- Gauteng Selwyn Segal - Gauteng

Randburg Clinic School - Gauteng Let’s Talk, Witbank - Mpumalanga

Support Group, Orange Farm, Gauteng Asperger’s Support - Gauteng

Wiggles and Squiggles – Gauteng Arcadia Jewish children’s home - Gauteng

Alberton Remedial School – Gauteng NAPTOSA - Gauteng

Forest Farm – Gauteng Department of Social Development – Free State

My World nursery school Clamber Club - Gauteng

Amazing K- Gauteng Thandulwazi Trust, St Stithians Foundation Gtng

Dept of Health - Gauteng Dept of Education Pinetown, KZN

Cresset House - Gauteng Thandulwazi Trust, St Stithians Foundation

Conferences and exhibitions:

2 day World Autism Organisation conference in Ireland, UK April 2013

3 day Future-Ed Ed Expo July 2013- 3 seminar talks (9 IN Total):

3 day Disability Expo November 2013 - Nasrec