Autism Matters group in march to voice local children’s needs

Autism Matters in East London, a recently established non-profit organisation, took part in a national march on Friday April 1 in an effort to create awareness of the needs of local children with autism.

The group of protesters proceeded from the corner of Hill and Oxford Streets to gather at the City Hall to hand over a petition to the Buffalo City mayor, MECs for education and department of social development.

The petition to the department of social development sought to address the following points: The provision of a social grant to cover autistic pupil’s needs such as their medication, special diets, school fees and transportation; more schools or centres for autistic children that have online school programmes to makes learning and engaging easier; the accommodation of autistic pupils in schools where no special schools are established by implementing the inclusive education policy to ensure all children have access to schooling.

The group said they also hoped to see increased funding to the NPO sector in the near future as this would assist Autism Matters with providing workreadiness programmes for the children they assist.

Autistic children in the area were in need of being mentored and equipped with essential skills necessary in the work environment, and for companies to become more inclusive and employ autistic people, they said.

The organisation was established in January 2022 after a group of parents with autistic children felt that parents and guardians needed support.

“Parents complain about the challenges they face yet there is liitle being done about it.

“A group was therefore created and parents in all provinces were recruited,” said the chairperson of Autism Matters East London, Yolande Nkosi. “Our slogan is Embrace Neurodiversity.

“It is a collaboration of parents raising autistic children.

“We are the voice of all autistic children,” she said.