Apr 2021 Ballito Umhl

Autism …
awareness and acceptance
The aim of World Autism Awareness Day, on 2 April, is to spread
awareness and kindness and promote acceptance. Imbalito
Hope College founder Nirasha Dhaniram shares some basic
facts about kids and autism that everyone should know.
Nirasha is a psychologist and the
founder of the Ballito and Umhlangabased
Imbalito Hope College (IHC)
program. IHC is an assessment
and therapy centre as well as an
educational service provider for
children and adolescents with special
needs, focusing on autism. Nirasha is
also a mother to a child with autism.
We asked her to share some basic
information about the diagnosis and
different levels of autism with us.
“Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a
neuro-developmental disorder that
can cause social, communication
and behavioural challenges. It
also includes restricted repetitive
behaviours, interests and activities,”
says Nirasha. “The symptoms of
autism are usually present in the early
developmental period of childhood
and can cause significant impairment
in important areas of everyday
functioning; this can cause significant
strain on families caring for a child
with autism.”
Levels of Autism
According to Nirasha, the severity
levels for autism spectrum disorder
are looked at mainly in terms of
social communication as well as
challenging behaviours. She explains
the three main levels of diagnosis.
Level 3 severity: this child requires
substantial support and, even with
the support, the impairments will
be very noticeable especially in
the areas of verbal and nonverbal
social communication. The child will
experience extreme behavioural
challenges in times of change; Level
2 severity: this child also requires
substantial support, without which the deficits cause noticeable impairment;
Level 1 severity: this child may require some support.
“Teachers and parents may often use the term ‘high functioning’ (synonymous
with a level 1 child) or ‘low functioning’ (similar to a level 3). Children may also
be also be referred to as moderately functioning (level 2). It is important to keep
in mind that whilst autism might be an incurable disorder, with the correct
treatment and interventions, children can move along the spectrum, for example
from level 3 to level 2.”
Signs and symptoms
Nirasha says there are two main categories of symptoms to look out for, should
you suspect your child may have autism. The first is social communication and
interaction (for example, failing to respond to his/her name, prefers to play alone,
doesn’t point or wave by 14 months old, loses language skills or social skills at
any age, repeating words and phrases, doesn’t bring objects to others to share
interest). The second is patterns of behaviours (for example, performing
54 Get It • Ballito Umhlanga April 2021