By Ilhaam Hoosain02 April 2008
Autism is a life-long brain disorder that is usually diagnosed in early childhood. It is a spectrum disorder varying in symptoms, severity and impact.
Each person with Autism presents themselves differently. Some people with Autism demonstrate significantly challenging behaviours and most need specialist support & care.
People with Autism have difficulty communicating, forming relationships with others and have difficulty making sense of the world around them. Autism affects 1 in 86 children regardless of their race, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds.
Gerhard Pieterse from Autism Western Cape goes onto to say that there is a huge increase in some cases where two to three children are being diagnosed a week in Cape Town.
“We need to get help from government and without government support we won’t be able to cope with the demand for services,” says Pieterse.
April 2, is World Autism Awareness Day and there will be a fund raising event at Ku Dé Ta, on the first floor of the 112 Bloemhof Building in Edward Street. The event will start at 8pm - for more information contact 021 910 2002.
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