Cause Index

Autism Western Cape

Autism Western Cape is an award winning non-profit organisation that provides training, information, advice, advocacy and support services to those affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the Western Cape. It was previously known as the Society for Autistic Children, established in 1967 and founder of the first school for autistic learners to be established in the Southern Hemisphere. Today, this school is called Vera School which was taken over by government. It is the oldest of only five Autism Specific Government schools in South Africa, making provision for learners diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Since 2003, Autism Western Cape has strategically aimed to meet the ever increasing need for awareness, social service intervention and capacity building for parents/caregivers, practitioners and service providers that influence the environment of autistic individuals. The organisation intends to expand its reach by providing online training and creating more service sites from which counselling and training services are rendered in an attempt to create a more inclusive society for autistic individuals.
Autism Western Cape therefore advocates for equal rights to basic education for children and youth with developmental and intellectual challenges such as Autism Spectrum Disorder as prescribed in our Constitution.