27 AUGUST 2022
A Durban-based non-profit entity, Action in Autism, which has battled to meet the growing demand
for access to education, medical resources and professional support for those with Autism Spectrum
Disorder, has been thrown a R350 000 lifeline, providing for a new and fully-functional Therapy and
Assessment Wing at its Park Hill base.
The South African Muslim Charitable Trust (SAMCT) stepped in with its significant financial
assistance.
In an address to mark the official hand-over of the new wing to Autism in Action, SAMCT
representative, Mr Gaf Osman, said: “This new wing will assist in providing the organisation with a
sustainable source of income through the ongoing provision of much-needed assessment and
therapy services for autistic children.”
Established in 2005, Action in Autism works for the rights of people with autism to reasonable
accommodation, access to resources and professional support.
“Action in Autism does amazing work in this all-to-often misunderstood field and has emerged as a
leading service provider for families, autistic people and communities who support and live with
autistic individuals. Its primary goal is simple: to improve the quality of life of those living with
Autistic Spectrum Disorder, building sound partnerships with those affected, their families and
surrounding communities. Its resource centre provides a vital support function and is the only walkin centre of its kind in KwaZulu-Natal and, as such, offers a pivotal service to, especially, marginalised
and vulnerable members of our society,” said Mr Osman.
Estimates provided by Action in Autism indicate that more than 500 000 children with disabilities do
not currently attend any form of schooling in South Africa, while 2017 statistics reveal that only
some 725 public schools in the country accept disabled children, less than 3% of schools across
South Africa.
Mr Osman commented: “The sad reality is that children with autism were historically excluded from
this country’s public schooling system and were often the victims of institutionalised discrimination,
stigmatisation and even neglect. What a sad indictment on our society.”
“Equally sad is the fact that no schools in KwaZulu-Natal cater solely for autistic children and there
are no public early childhood development programmes which cater specifically for learners with
Autism Spectrum Disorder. This, even though research has proven that effective early intervention
has shown substantial improvements for the prospects of autistic children.”
It is believed that there are more than 110 000 people with autism in KwaZulu-Natal alone, although
present facilities are inadequate to deal with children exhibiting Autism Spectrum Disorder.
“Action in Autism, an under-funded non-profit entity, is to be roundly applauded for pursuing a
critical goal, despite almost insurmountable obstacles; that of providing autistic learners access to
education, medical resources and professional support, thus meeting a desperate need for such
services in KwaZulu-Natal. Heeding Action in Autism’s plea for financial assistance to ensure its
ability to make a telling difference in the lives of autistic learners here, the SAMCT was pleased to
step in with assistance, making available R350 000 for the new Therapy and Assessment Wing for
children on the autistic spectrum between the ages of two and six years – and for both the wider
autistic community and those with neuro-developmental conditions,” Mr Osman explained.
The SAMCT, which was created in 2008, was established to provide funding, services and other
resources for the improvement of the lives of the vulnerable, deprived and disadvantaged. It has
successfully delivered significant assistance solutions throughout the country, irrespective of race or
religion and works to support needy organisations in the fields of health, social development,
poverty alleviation and education.
Mr Osman added: “It was great to learn that the new facility will provide an additional and ongoing
source of income for Action in Autism by offering a range of daily assessment and therapy services.”
The new wing will be managed by an occupational therapist with sensory integration training. The
therapist will also provide both group and individual therapy to learners at the organisation’s early
childhood development centre, which currently caters to the needs of 32 full-time learners, as well
as sensory integration for the organisation’s autistic adults. Additional income will be earned by
making the organisation’s therapy rooms available to external therapists.
“The SAMCT hopes that in making the new, fully-functional Therapy and Assessment Wing a reality,
Action in Autism will grow from strength to strength, so better enabling it to realise its vision of
ensuring that people with Autism Spectrum Disorder are better respected, accepted and become
increasingly valued members of our society.
For more information about SAMCT or its Action in Autism donation of a Therapy and Assessment
Wing, please contact:
Rasheeda Motala
Social Responsibility Officer
Tel: 084 506 2280
Email: samct@samct.co.za