Autism Connect

Autism Connect Through our early learning centre, therapy programs, family support groups, skills developmen Do you want to know more about what ADS is?
(1)

Founded in 2013, Autism Connect is a proudly South African non-profit organization dedicated to supporting children, and families navigating the Autism spectrum. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=lbXjW-cX9kQ

Celebrating Youth Day with Autism Connect Skills Centre💙🧡Today, 16 June, we honour the courage, voice, and vision of Sou...
16/06/2026

Celebrating Youth Day with Autism Connect Skills Centre💙🧡

Today, 16 June, we honour the courage, voice, and vision of South Africa’s youth.

At Autism Connect Skills Centre, we celebrate every young person — including our autistic youth and youth with special needs. Their creativity, determination, and unique way of seeing the world remind us that every voice matters in building our future.

Youth Day is about more than remembering 1976. It’s about creating spaces today where all young people are heard, valued, and given the tools to learn, grow, and lead. That’s why we do what we do: teaching skills, building confidence, and walking alongside each young person on their journey to independence.

To every youth we serve, and every parent walking this road with them — you inspire us daily. Your courage shapes a more inclusive tomorrow.

Happy Youth Day, South Africa. Let’s keep making room for every ability.

Our Early Learning & Skills Centre is filled with warmth in more ways than one ✨The amazing youth + church leadership fr...
15/06/2026

Our Early Learning & Skills Centre is filled with warmth in more ways than one ✨

The amazing youth + church leadership from Reheboth Christian Church, Strandfontein, came and hand-delivered blankets for our little ones and young adults.

Your kindness, smiles, and servant hearts left us inspired and overflowing with gratitude. You showed our children what community love really looks like 🙏

Want to join in and make a difference too?
We’re always welcoming donations of blankets, stationery, books, or your time. Every little bit helps us give our learners a brighter start.

DM us or WhatsApp us to find out how you can support 💛

05/06/2026

Child Protection Week | 29 May - 5 June 2026

This week at Autism Connect, we paused to remember something simple but powerful: Every child deserves to feel safe, seen, and protected.

Child Protection Week isn’t just about laws and policies. It’s about the daily choice to create spaces where children can speak, be heard, and be believed. For neurodivergent children, that means protecting their right to communicate in their own way — through words, signs, pictures, or behaviour. It means understanding that “difficult behaviour” is often unmet need. It means safeguarding their bodies, their boundaries, and their dignity.

We ended our week with powerful posters created by our team and community. Each one carried the same message: _All children. Every child. Always protected._ The posters now stand in our centre as a daily reminder — to us, to families, to visitors — that safety is not negotiable.

To every parent, caregiver, teacher, and therapist: Thank you for being the adults who notice, who listen, who step in. Protection starts with you.

At Autism Connect, we remain committed to building a world where autistic children are not just protected from harm, but protected _for_ joy, growth, and belonging.

“Children are not things to be molded, but people to be unfolded.” Let’s keep unfolding them safely.

Child Protection Week | 29 May - 5 June 2026This week at Autism Connect, we paused to remember something simple but powe...
05/06/2026

Child Protection Week | 29 May - 5 June 2026

This week at Autism Connect, we paused to remember something simple but powerful: Every child deserves to feel safe, seen, and protected.

Child Protection Week isn’t just about laws and policies. It’s about the daily choice to create spaces where children can speak, be heard, and be believed. For neurodivergent children, that means protecting their right to communicate in their own way — through words, signs, pictures, or behaviour. It means understanding that “difficult behaviour” is often unmet need. It means safeguarding their bodies, their boundaries, and their dignity.

We ended our week with powerful posters created by our team and community. Each one carried the same message: _All children. Every child. Always protected._ The posters now stand in our centre as a daily reminder — to us, to families, to visitors — that safety is not negotiable.

To every parent, caregiver, teacher, and therapist: Thank you for being the adults who notice, who listen, who step in. Protection starts with you.

At Autism Connect, we remain committed to building a world where autistic children are not just protected from harm, but protected _for_ joy, growth, and belonging.

“Children are not things to be molded, but people to be unfolded.” Let’s keep unfolding them safely.

Here are some winter tips for parents of autistic children that keep things calm + supportive 💙1. Sensory warmth, not ov...
01/06/2026

Here are some winter tips for parents of autistic children that keep things calm + supportive 💙

1. Sensory warmth, not overwhelm
Winter clothes can feel intense. Try:
- Layer thin, soft fabrics instead of one thick, scratchy item
- Warm the clothes on a radiator for 2 min before dressing — cold fabric = sensory shock
- Let them choose between 2 glove/hat options to keep control

2. Light matters
Shorter days + less sunlight can affect mood + sleep.
- 10-15 min morning light by a window helps regulate circadian rhythm
- Use a soft, warm lamp in the afternoon if it gets dark early
- Watch for increased meltdowns — it might be “light hunger”, not behavior

3. Routine anchors when the world changes
School breaks, cold weather = schedule shifts. Keep 2-3 anchor points: wake time, meal time, bedtime. Visual schedule with snowflake icons for “winter routine” makes the change concrete.

4. Indoor energy outlets
Cold + wind = less outdoor time. Build a “movement menu”:
- Couch cushion obstacle course
- Dance to 3 songs
- Wall pushes or carrying a weighted backpack for proprioceptive input
5 min of heavy work can prevent 30 min of chaos later

5. Dry skin + discomfort
Cold air + heaters = dry skin, which can spike sensory issues.
- Unscented lotion right after bath, while skin is damp
- Lip balm they apply themselves = autonomy + comfort
- Check socks/shoes for dampness — wet feet can ruin a whole day

6. Noise plan
Family gatherings, heaters, festive music = a lot.
- Create a “quiet harbor” corner with headphones, blanket, fidget
- Use a visual “break card” they can hand you anytime
- It’s okay to leave early.

You’re doing the hard, loving work of keeping them safe + regulated. That’s enough.🩵

01/06/2026

It's POP UP time again!!

Please come and check out our new products!!

Tuesday - 2 June 2026
Village Work Centre
11 First Avenue
Harfield Village
Claremont

Hva - Harfield Village Association Harfield Village Community Southern Suburbs Tatler Rondebosch, Newlands, Claremont, Constantia, Bergvliet Referral Network

*Celebrating World Play Day at Autism Connect 💙*Today our Early Learning Centre turned into a world of laughter, explora...
28/05/2026

*Celebrating World Play Day at Autism Connect 💙*

Today our Early Learning Centre turned into a world of laughter, exploration, and connection as we celebrated *World Play Day*!

We set up different stations around the centre — from sensory and messy play to movement games and creative corners. No pressure, no right or wrong way… just space for our kids to explore, engage, and interact in ways that felt meaningful to _them_.

Watching them scoop, splash, build, run, and share moments of joy with each other and our staff reminded us of something simple:
*Play is communication. Play is learning. Play is belonging.*

To our learners — thank you for showing us how to find wonder in the small things.
To our staff — thank you for creating a space where every child feels safe to just be.

Here’s to more messy hands, bright smiles, and meaningful play. 🌈

CelebrateEveryChild

*Celebrating World Play Day at Autism Connect 💙*Today our Early Learning Centre turned into a world of laughter, explora...
28/05/2026

*Celebrating World Play Day at Autism Connect 💙*

Today our Early Learning Centre turned into a world of laughter, exploration, and connection as we celebrated *World Play Day*!

We set up different stations around the centre — from sensory and messy play to movement games and creative corners. No pressure, no right or wrong way… just space for our kids to explore, engage, and interact in ways that felt meaningful to _them_.

Watching them scoop, splash, build, run, and share moments of joy with each other and our staff reminded us of something simple:
*Play is communication. Play is learning. Play is belonging.*

To our learners — thank you for showing us how to find wonder in the small things.
To our staff — thank you for creating a space where every child feels safe to just be.

Here’s to more messy hands, bright smiles, and meaningful play. 🌈

Seven weeks ago, we welcomed two incredible UCT Occupational Therapy students, *Unako and Hannah*, into the Autism Conne...
28/05/2026

Seven weeks ago, we welcomed two incredible UCT Occupational Therapy students, *Unako and Hannah*, into the Autism Connect family for their block training.

From day one, they didn’t just observe — they showed up with open hearts, curious minds, and a genuine love for our kids. They got on the floor, learned the names, the stimming, the quiet smiles, the small wins that mean everything. They listened, they adapted, and they became part of the rhythm of our centre.

Today we said goodbye.

They left us with handwritten notes and chocolates for every staff member — small gestures that said so much. There were tears, hugs, and more than a few “I’m not crying, you’re crying” moments.

But here’s the truth: while block training ends, impact doesn’t.
The ideas they brought, the care they gave, the relationships they built with our learners and staff will stay with us long after today.

Unako and Hannah, thank you for choosing to spend these 7 weeks with us. Thank you for seeing our kids for who they are and meeting them there. You came as students, and you leave as part of our family.

We’re cheering you on for everything ahead. The field of OT is lucky to have you.

Once Autism Connect, always Autism Connect. 💙

Address

Campsite LOFOB, Camp Road Strandfontein
Cape Town
7785

Opening Hours

Monday 07:00 - 15:30
Tuesday 07:00 - 15:30
Wednesday 07:00 - 15:30
Thursday 07:00 - 15:30
Friday 07:00 - 15:30

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Autism Connect posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category