about
Paul and Humile Mashatile Foundation
About Autism
Understanding Autism
Part of the beauty of life is that we’re different: our brains work – and we process life – differently. These differences might manifest themselves, among others, as Autism or ADHD, and stand for neurodiversity. Neurodiversity celebrates these differences and avoids seeing them as deficiencies. While children with neurodivergence have definite gifts, they need support to navigate the world. To some extent, society is slow in accommodating them as they are regarded as slow or different.
Exploring the Autism Spectrum and the Neurodiverse World
Neurodiversity celebrates the natural variations in human brain function and development. It is an umbrella term that covers several conditions, individuals who exhibit such variations which are considered “neurodivergent.” It describes the idea that people experience and interact with the world around them in many different ways.
The most common types of neurodiversity in children:
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD or Autism)
Is a developmental disorder that affects social interaction, communication, and behaviour. Children with ASD may have difficulty with social cues, language, and repetitive behaviours.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Is a disorder that affects attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Children with ADHD may have difficulty with focus, organization, and impulse control.
Dyslexia
Is a learning disorder that affects reading ability. Children with Dyslexia may have difficulty decoding words, spelling, and reading comprehension.
Dyspraxia
Is a disorder that affects movement and coordination. Children with Dyspraxia may have difficulty with gross motor skills, fine motor skills, and planning and executing movements.
Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)
Is a condition that affects the way in which the brain processes sensory information. Children with SPD may be over or under-responsive to certain sensations, leading to discomfort or distraction.
Support for Caregivers
- It is easy to overlook the fact that caregivers need support. Accordingly, we arm caregivers with the right knowledge and insights to help them cope with their supporting tasks. This support includes emotional support and morale boosting encouragement. We also provide a platform for caregivers to support one another and share their experiences and knowledge.
How do I tell if my child is neurodivergent ?
Given the diversity of the Neurodiversity spectrum it’s not easy to tell. But here are common telling signs to look out for:
- Learning challenges, especially with reading and writing.
- Clumsiness.
- Social anxiety, making it difficult for the child to cope in large crowds and with sudden, loud noises, as well as unfamiliar social situations.
- Not smiling and socially unresponsive.