Autism Western Cape

Autism Western Cape (previously the Society for Autistic Children) was founded in 1967 and is a non-discriminating, non-profit organization focused on the needs of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and their parents and caregivers. 

They are focused on provision of support, counselling and advisory services, early intervention awareness, advocacy, training, capacity building and skills transfer for parents, caregivers, teachers, Early Childhood Development (ECD) practitioners and other professionals. They offer post diagnosis counselling and workshops to parents whose children have been diagnosed with Autism as well as support, information and advisory services to anyone who requires them.

Autism Western Cape offers services free of charge and include:

• Post-diagnosis psycho-educational support at state hospitals and clinics: Lentegeur Hospital, Red Cross Hospital, Somerset Hospital and Tygerberg Hospital, every week.
• Counselling and ongoing support for individuals and families, school support for ECD centres, schools and special care facilities, which involves training: Inclusion Practices, Autism, Behaviour Challenges, Alternative Teaching, and Communication Techniques.
• Training and workshops, for parents/caregivers, service providers (e.g. schools, speech therapists, public servants, government departments) that interact or influence policy.
• The compilation and distribution of visual stimulation kits needed for communication skills, as well as programme stimulation kits (this includes an early learner kit, school readiness kit, as well as adult stimulation kit).
• Advocacy for the right to education of children diagnosed with Autism.
• An adult programme that focuses on work and life skills support, as well as support groups for parents/carers of adults diagnosed with autism.

Autism Western Cape has established service points that make it easier for the community to access. Visit their service points:

Monday:
Lentegeur Psychiatric Hospital - 09:30 – 12:30

Tuesday:
Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital - 09:00 – 12:00

Thursday:
Somerset Hospital - 09:30 – 12:30

Thursday:
Tygerberg Hospital: speech group 08:30 – 10:00; counselling 10:30 – 12:30