Since Els for Autism South Africa opened its doors in 2011, we have primarily offered face-to-face services for families that have a child on the autism spectrum. Over the years, we have been fortunate to open a satellite office in Cape Town, as well as offer distance (virtual) support services to families in harder-to-reach areas. However, this year has been entirely different – and that has forced everyone to think differently and find new ways to continue delivering our services and ensure we support our families.

“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others.” – Nelson Mandela

Since Els for Autism South Africa opened its doors in 2011, we have primarily offered face-to-face services for families that have a child on the autism spectrum. Over the years, we have been fortunate to open a satellite office in Cape Town, as well as offer distance (virtual) support services to families in harder-to-reach areas. However, this year has been entirely different – and that has forced everyone to think differently and find new ways to continue delivering our services and ensure we support our families.

We have all felt the impact from this global pandemic, and many if not all of our families especially so. We have thus tried not only to adjust our services to be virtual only, but also offered, where possible, additional support to help lighten the load on our families. Thanks to our incredible sponsors and hardworking team, we have had the opportunity to offer several food vouchers for families in dire need, with the understanding that many children on the spectrum have different dietary limitations.
For Mandela Day our team worked tirelessly to ensure that our families, who have continued to work hard on our programs, received a little something extra in the form of an Els for Autism ‘stimulation pack’. Filled with fun resources (and an Els Mask), it also included printed guides for caregivers regarding new ways to teach their child.
As Mandela so wisely said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”.  
“At Els for Autism South Africa we strive to continue providing best practice support for the Autism community of South Africa,” commented Shani Zuk, Program Director at the Ernie Els Centre for Autism, “and to continue to offer support and guidance by providing support for every family in need in the national autism community.”