1. How is that you are involved with autism in Jozi?
We are a  Early Childhood Developement and Special Needs Centre, specializing in the education and development of learners on the Autism Spectrum Disorder. We take a holistic approach to each learners’ educational and emotional well being.
We believe a human being does not consist out of only one dimension, we are social, emotional, physical, sensory and psychological beings. We strongly believe when all of the aforementioned is addressed an autist is able to be integrated into the society (inclusivity).

2. How can we as a community in Jozi make play more inclusive for autists?
– Development through sensory play.
Sensory play areas should be established at all schools, centres and could even be at shopping centres. If a variety of sponsors are available a soft play area at each shopping centre could be established with different sensory boards, texture boards and sensory play stations.
Sensory play areas could also be established with little funding. We spend on average R250 a month for 8 learners on basic sensory play items such as shaving cream, macaroni, rice, maize and paint. You could even just use mud, leaves, stones and grass to stimulate the various senses.
The importance of sensory integration should never be undervalued.

– Events should be Autism friendly, thus the autistic individual could play in an interactive environment.
Events should have a room and/or area that autistic individuals could escape to if they become over stimulated.

All of the above will be possible once there are more autism awareness and acceptance.

3. What has worked for you & your organisation to facilitate play in autism?
We almost always focus on the sensory integration of a learner first. Therefor determining the sensory problems if any; proprioceptive, vestibular, visual, auditory, tactility, olfactory and oral.
We then focus on it by means of different therapies and then mainly sensory play.
We do sensory play on a daily basis.
Sensory play to initiate communication: We mix different words/ pictures (depending on age of learners) with maize/ paint/ mud, etc. and the learner is instructed to find the words/ pictures mentioned in a story.
Sensory play during sports: We will create a mud field and play soccer/ netball/ rugby, bowling, etc. in the mud.
Sensory play with different oral textures: Learners are encouraged to taste various fruits/ vegetables/ meats.
We have seen immense development by making use of the learners own body (senses).

1. How is that you are involved with autism in Jozi?
Autism has always been a passion of mine, I opened a small Applied Behaviour Analysis therapy centre a few years ago and I have never looked back.

2. How can we as a community in Jozi make play more inclusive for autists?
I personally feel that the school/centre that your child goes to should be incorporating play into their programs. Once a child knows how to play they will be able to generalise this skill into their natural environment (Whether it is family supper at Spur or a walk to the park). If schools/centres incorporate the fundamental learning skills into the child’s curriculum, it would assist parents with increasing play skills at home as well.

3. What has worked for you & your organisation to facilitate play in autism?
We offer a very special approach to play which we have called Project Play. We teach play using Applied Behaviour Analysis techniques, but the focus is on the child’s Natural Environment. Using this method we have been able to improve children’s spontaneous play and language skills. We also offer social classes where the focus is more on group social games.

1. How is that you are involved with autism in Jozi?

Diketo Inclusive Education supports and facilitates play/learning and work spaces to become inclusive for all individuals with a specific focus on people with disabilities. We are aware of the large number of children with Autism who do not have any access to play and learning opportunities. We therefore work closely with and support existing early childhood development centres and organisations in communities on how they can become inclusive for children with Autism.

2. How can we as a community in Jozi make play more inclusive for autists?

At Diketo, we believe that the transition towards a more inclusive play environment for children with disabilities is to destigmatise disability. This can be achieved by making the general public and community services aware and conscious about inclusion. At Diketo, we offer on-site workshops for ECD centres and community play and learning programmes on how they can develop their services to become more inclusive for children with disabilities.

3. What has worked for you & your organisation to facilitate play in autism?

Increasing the awareness and understanding of people working in existing mainstream play spaces about Autism and inclusion. We are a team of therapists and inclusion facilitators who work closely with teachers/parents/play practitioners with the aim to increase the number of children with Autism who will have access to play and early learning opportunities.

1. How is that you are involved with autism in Jozi?

We have a child on the spectrum and created Amazing K Autism School to help other kids with ASD in Jozi.

2. How can we as a community in Jozi make play more inclusive for autists?

In order to help a child play the parent, educator or caregiver needs to fully understand the child. Autists are very capable of playing, sharing, participating, forming friendships, adapting to different environments and to change. I see this daily!!!
Yes there are different levels of anxiety when it comes to public places and how a child will cope with it from a sensory perspective, a physical perspective or developmental perspective. And the only person that can help engage the child in play is the person with them.
In my opinion – Autism is too big a spectrum to even suggest adapting public places because what works for one child will not work for the other. Some have motor planning issues that would need to be addressed (physical jungle gyms etc) and others have sensory profiles that need to be addressed. Some run, some climb and can’t come down, others are incapable of even jumping on a trampoline. Some are hypersensitive and others hyposensitive.
We as parents need to adapt. Society needs to adapt! People need to be educated on what Autism actually is – and I am not talking about the DSM! Our children can play in all places it is the way they play that society needs to understand and what that individual child needs to be able to play is as individual as a fingerprint.

3. What has worked for you & your organisation to facilitate play in autism?

The key to getting a child to play is to not think they will do it because another Autist did it. Every game, sports activity and idea has different levels and the level at which you expect a child to enter the activity needs to be adjusted continuously.

• Understand the child’s challenges in respect of sensory, motor, physical, processing etc
• Make sure you clearly and visually show the child what is expected from them
• Positive re-enforcement throughout the play activity is vital
• Continuously adjust the “game” to keep the child in their “happy” space – this takes practise but once mastered it will engage the child successfully
• Keep an eye on stimuli – make sure the child is not over stimulated at any time
• Allow for sensory break during a game or sport activity (for those that need it)
• Watch anxiety levels. Anxiety can come from external factors, a fear of getting the activity wrong or a non-understanding of the activity. An anxious child will not engage no matter what you try. You have to manage the anxiety at all times

1. How is that you are involved with autism in Jozi?

We are the national body for autism in South Africa and work closely with other organisations within the disability sector. We offer support to families as well as professionals throughout the country, as well as training. Our staff work hard pleading the case to government that there needs to be more support for both families and autistic people.

2. How can we as a community in Jozi make play more inclusive for autists?

Autism friendly events are a good place to start – these are events where music is not played as loudly as it is often played, lights are dimmed, if it is an indoor area, there might be a room available for autistic people to go to where they can escape the chaos of the environment if they begin to get overwhelmed. Creating understanding and acceptance within the general public.

3. What has worked for you & your organisation to facilitate play in autism?

Finding the individual’s interest, and encouraging creative play with their interest. Also, not assuming that they are not creative, and accepting their play for play. We have developed a very brief guide for parents on how to play with their child.

1. How is that you are involved with autism in Jozi?

My professional teaching experience began while working at an Early Intervention Centre for Autism where I gained my BCAT credential as a Board Certified Behaviour Technician, Certified by the Behavioural Intervention Certification Council in the United States.
I have also worked with adults on the spectrum where I facilitated a day program with the aim of promoting meaningful activities and interaction.
My experience does not only stem from working with autistic children and adults but have also has also catered to the special needs of Downs Syndrome, C.P, Visual and Hearing Impairment, Neurological delays, Sensory Integration difficulties, Developmental delays and Physical disabilities.

2. How can we as a community in Jozi make play more inclusive for autists?
• Government need to be much more involved in special needs. State early intervention centres which facilitate early intervention services should be available at minimal or no cost to the family. State special education services should also be provided after early intervention at no cost.
• NPO’S could raise funds towards the building of sensory gyms, inclusive parks and play groups.
• Training and resources need to be available and easily accessible to service providers such as play facilitators.
• Sensory boxes can be compiled and donated to underprivileged special needs schools.
3. What has worked for you & your organisation to facilitate play in autism?

Working in the special needs environment had inspired me to develop my own sensory brand which aims to assist in the development of sensory processing.
Plush Elephant (PTY) ltd. produces sensory hampers which contain a collection of sensory items which stimulate the five senses.
These sensory items have been chosen to provide the particular sensory input that many special needs children crave. Whether it is visual or tactile, the toys have the power to capture our kids’ attention, making the right sensory toy a powerful reinforcer (reward) in applied behavioral analysis (ABA) programs.
Some sensory toys are also excellent fidget toys and can improve concentration and focus in children with ADHD and others who need to keep their hands busy to listen and attend.

1. How is that you are involved with autism in Jozi?

We, at  Play Africa, we pride ourselves in providing safe and accessible spaces for children and families from all walks of life. Many families with children on the autism spectrum often find themselves ostracised in public spaces. We help break these barriers to access by allowing these families to come into our space and freely be who they are and explore.

2. How can we as a community in Jozi make play more inclusive for autists?

Empathy. Understanding, acknowledging and validating other people’s needs and feelings. Empathy, does not cost anything. Ask: “what a can I (we) do to make your experience worthwhile? Sometimes the solution is not as complicated as we might think.

3. What has worked for you & your organisation to facilitate play in autism?

We are always open to all families that want to come for an hour or a day and spend time playing, engaging and feeling welcome, honoured and respected. Our Sensory Days have been appreciated by families.