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MITCHELLS PLAIN RAPPER RELEASES EP
BETTER COLLABORATION NEEDED BETWEEN HEALTH AND EDUCATION
Call for early autism support LAUREN O’CONNOR-MAY
LAUREN.OCONNOR-MAY@NOVUSMEDIA.CO.ZA
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ealth and education professionals have called for better collaboration and teacher training to support children with autism. Dr Roland Kroukamp, a family physician at Mitchells Plain Community Health Centre, told attendees at an autism expo at Town Centre Library that the disorder is a developmental condition affecting how children communicate, interact with others, and experience the world around them. “These children are special, they can still be high-functioning despite having the label of being autistic,” said Kroukamp.
Beacon Valley artist Kailo recently released a new hip hop EP. See full story on page 9.
“DEAD” BODY SITS UP PAGE4
WHAT IS AUTISM? Autism, also known as autism spectrum disorder, is not a disease but a lifelong developmental condition, Kroukamp said. It affects three key areas: communication, social interaction, and behaviour and interests. Early symptoms that parents and caregivers should look out for include children not responding to their name, limited eye contact, delayed or no speech, preferring to play alone,
“Having a good teacher is like the most powerful magic. A teacher that just sees these things... ” - Jean-Pierre Hartmann
repetitive actions with toys, and extreme sensitivity to textures, lights and sounds. “These signs usually appear before the age of two or three years old,” he said. He shared examples of highfunctioning individuals with autism he has encountered, including a man in his late 30s with a successful singing career who has recently had a newborn, and a woman in her 20s who is “extremely clever” and reads extensively. MYTHS AND CAUSES Kroukamp addressed common misconceptions, stating that vaccines do not cause autism and that poor parenting is not to blame. “The causes of autism are not fully known yet, it’s not fully understood, but there are links to genetics and environmental factors,” he explained. Environmental factors may
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include premature birth or pregnancy complications, but these are often beyond anyone’s control. At Mitchells Plain Community Health Centre, children suspected of having autism are first assessed by occupational therapists or speech therapists before being referred to specialists. “We don’t have neurodevelopmental specialists at the CHC. The child will be assessed by an occupational therapist or speech therapist because they’ll pick up on the milestone development,” Kroukamp said. Children are then referred to hospitals with paediatricians skilled in neurodevelopmental issues, or to Red Cross Children’s Hospital’s neurodevelopmental department for expert assessment. PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT TEAM Jean-Pierre Hartmann, a clinical psychologist from the Provincial Mental Health Outreach Team, emphasised the importance of appropriate school placement and teacher understanding. TO PAGE 3
CALL FOR TALENT TO ENTER CONTEST PAGE 9