“It is challenging but all worth it,” said a Morgen’s Village mother of three children with autism, who attended an autism exhibition on Wednesday April 3, hosted by the Klipfontein and Mitchell’s Plain health sub-structure rehabilitation team from the Department of Health and Wellness.
The expo was held at Lentegeur Psychiatric Hospital hall for World Autism Day, which was on Tuesday April 2.
Nabeelah Maggott, told the Plainsman on Wednesday her first son, Mogamat Zubayr Maggott, 8, was 2 when they found out he had autism.
He showed signs of pulling his hair, he was non-verbal and fussy.
Ms Maggot said she and her husband Mogamat Faseegh Amardien noticed Mogamat Zubayr wouldn’t look at them directly. She said he was diagnosed at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital.
With her second child, her 6-year-old daughter Juwairyyah, Ms Maggot said signs were noticed when she took Zubayr for therapy and the therapists mentioned that she should get Juwairyyah tested as well.
Her third child, 4-year-old daughter, Jehaan, was also non-verbal and stared at things around her. “When we call her she doesn’t respond; she blocks us out,” Ms Maggot said.
Her fourth child who does not have autism, 1-year-old Imaan, has become very helpful to her and her siblings, she said. “She speaks and is more advanced than her siblings were at that age. It’s very weird; it wasn’t like that with Zubayr, Juwairyyah and Jehaan,” Ms Maggot said.
She said Zubayr, Juwairyyah and Jehaan who attend Cornflower Primary School in Lentegeur loves a routine and enjoy going to school, so much so that they’re up at 4am for school, Ms Maggot said.
She said she recently found out that Down syndrome and autism runs in her family.
“In raising our children, I took it as it came, I was learning. Dealing with all of them was a challenge, going to therapy was a challenge. Autism Western Cape has helped me. There’s little things that help but there are days that are bad. My husband and our parents are a great help,” she said.
Ms Maggott also learnt she has cervical cancer. She gave up her job previously to take care of her family.
“Mentally I’ve always been strong and pushed through. It’s been a tough journey and a road of cycles. No one must give up in this process. I pray daily that I can make it through so I can be there for them when they’re older,” she said.
Also attending the expo were Charelle Cyster and son Reese Cyster, 8.
Ms Cyster found out last year that Reese has autism. She realised that he spoke and walked at a later age although her family said because he is a boy he develops later.
Reese attends Blossom Street Primary School in Rylands. His teacher noticed he was off balance and they discovered he had problems with his ears after a follow-up at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital.
“I didn’t know how this journey would go. I treat Reese like a normal child. His autism surprised me but I’m doing my best. I now advise parents to check their children with professionals. If you have a child with autism, stay strong and have faith,” she said.
Nerosha Mohamed, speech therapist for the Klipfontein and Mitchell’s Plain health sub-structure, said they celebrated families on World Autism Day through networking and development fulfilment.
“The expo was a form of support for parents, information sharing, creating awareness around autism and motivating parents to share info and gain knowledge,” she said.
Some of the parents raised concerns about not all teachers being educated on autism.
Dr Dave le Roux, district paediatrician for healthcare facilities in Klipfontein and Mitchell’s Plain, said at the expo: “You know what’s best for your child. I learnt so much about the spectrum by being a parent on the spectrum.”
Dr Sashmi Moodley from Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital’s developmental clinic, said at the expo that parents are the experts of what it means to deal with autism and what children on the spectrum are.
“Our children are different for different reasons. It’s the most fascinating condition that a child can be born with. Parents are in a different generation where they ask more questions. Children may not use words but they communicate in their own way,” she said.
“The most important thing is to know who your child is. Often there is very little we can do medically but it’s a journey. For every child they should find their strength,” she said.
Some of the red flags of autism include: when the child closes their eyes to loud noise, not responding to their name, sensory difficulties and difficulty communicating, to name a few. If parents are concerned for their child, they should go to the nearest day hospital and speak to a speech or occupational therapist and make an appointment.
• For more information contact the following organisations for more help:
– Little Harvard Educare based in Colorado Park cater to children with different disabilities, and creates awareness around this. Contact them on 021 371 0395 or 083 544 3599 or 064 471 3223.
– ELS for Autism South Africa, based in the northern suburbs, offers free teacher training (a 4-week programme), they do projects and collaborate with non-profit organisations. Email them at capetown@elsforautism.org.
– Autism Western Cape provides post-diagnosis and ongoing support for an individual with autism as well as their families. Contact them at 021 462 8232 or email them at ziyanda.runu@awc.org.za
– Carbonado Energy Autism Centre, based in Athlone at Ned Doman High School, caters for children from disadvantaged families from 3 to 12 years. Contact them at 021 418 9919 or 079 483 4766 or send an email to sunkiree@hotmail.com
– Lentegeur Psychiatric Hospital was represented by allied health services under clinical support to provide services to the community with the focus on child psychiatry. Contact them at 021 370 1111.
– Joy Special Educare, based in Tafelsig, caters for children with disabilities, including autism. For more information, call centre manager Edgar Payne on 071 044 5015.
