Our Vision and Mission
To create a society that accepts and is inclusive of individuals diagnosed with autism, and educating and empowering individuals diagnosed with autism, their families and society.
Support
We are supportive internally and externally, and aim to empower individuals diagnosed with autism. We are passionate about autism awareness and community support.
Trust
We are trusting and trustworthy, and treat people with respect.
Empathy
We do not judge and choose to empathise with co-workers and communities.
Empower
We firmly believe that all of our service users should be capacitated towards development, growth and the receiving of relevant information that will aid the understanding of autism and ultimately empower not only our service users and their families, but broader communities.
Advocacy
We often give a voice to the voiceless and involve ourselves in initiatives that will benefit the autism communities, such as the right to equal education and work opportunities.
Integration
Community integration is a key concept within our underlying organisational principles and values, we cannot act alone and believe that targeting communities and reintegrating our service users into these communities will help to eradicate stigma.
Meet The Team
We connect families affected by autism to services, facilities and support.
Robert Klynsmith
Chairman of the Board
(BA, Ambassador University UK: National Industrial Psychology Certification, Wits University of Technology: Master’s Programme Strategic Thesis (Change Management in Action), Fullers University)
Expertise:
- Business Growth
- Business Strategy Marketing
- Executive Coaching
- Leadership (CEO experience)
- Organisational Development
- Change Management
- Business and NPO Funding
- Training and Development
- Writing Publications
- Editorial and Human Resource Management
Lance Hamel
Secretary
Information Technology Diploma, Information Systems, CPUT
Expertise:
- IT Consultancy
- Budget and Scope Security
- Benefit Support / Realisation
- Project Delivery and Implementation
Anna-Beth Aylward
General Manager
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (UOVS 1990)
- Aims Global (with Autism WC) – Therapist Training (2020)
- WHO – Caregiver Skills Training for Families of Children with Developmental Delays and Disabilities (2023)
- Autism And the Practitioner Online Training (with AWC) (2023)
Areas of Expertise:
- Mental Health
- Autism
- Training and Development
Ziyanda Runu-Giyama
Social Work Manager
Bachelor of Social Work (Nelson Mandela University 2019)
- Aims Global (with Autism WC) – Therapist Training (2021)
- WHO – Caregiver Skills Training for Families of Children with Developmental Delays and Disabilities (2023)
- Autism And the Practitioner Online Training (with AWC) (2023)
- Certificate in Effective Communication for Healthy Outcomes
- YaliNetwork Certificate in Skills for Gender-Based Violence Training (Seta Expertise)
Areas of Expertise:
- Individual, group, and community work
- Human Behavior & Social Systems
- Advocacy
- Counselling
- Community Development and Education
- Facilitation & Training
- Social Media Management
Roshanne Hugo
Community Development Assistant
NQF Level 4 Social Auxiliary Worker
- Certificate in Effective Communication for Healthy Outcomes
- YaliNetwork Certificate in Skills for Gender-Based Violence Training (Seta Expertise)
Areas of Expertise:
- Advocacy for the vulnerable
- Psychosocial support
- Psychoeducational support
- Effective communication
- Gender-based violence awareness and support
Roshan Subailey
Administrative Manager and Training Coordinator
As a dedicated and results-driven professional with a strong background in administration, project management, and Social Auxiliary Worker, I bring a unique blend of skills and expertise to my role at Autism Western Cape. With 6 years of experience in the field, and a passion for supporting autistic individuals and their families, I am committed to delivering high-quality services that make a meaningful impact.
Key Skills:
- Project Management
- Administration
- Training & Development
- Monitoring & Evaluation
- Community Engagement
- Counselling & Support
Autism Western Cape B-BBEE Status
- Enhanced B-BBEE Recognition: Level 4
- Procurement recognition: 100%
Our Path
It’s all possible because of your support!
Our Beginning
Autism Western Cape, previously known as the Society for Autistic Children, was established in 1967. The society was made up of parents and founded Vera School for Autistic Learners, the first school in the world custom-built for learners on the autism spectrum. The school was taken over by the government and is the oldest of only five autism-specific government schools in South Africa.
Our Present
In 2003, the Society for Autistic Children changed its name to Autism Western Cape and changed its focus strategically to meet the ever-increasing need for awareness, social service intervention and capacity building for parents, caregivers and service providers.
Our Future
We hope to expand our reach by creating more service sites from which we could offer our counselling and training services in an attempt to create a more inclusive society for autistic individuals.
Our Model
Partnering With Service Providers and Engaging the Public Directly
We engage and partner with state hospitals, schools, and other organisations that offer support services to individuals diagnosed with autism. We provide training and advisory services to these service providers.
Establish a Service Point
At the service provider's location. In doing so, we become more community-based and easier to access for service users.
Offer Our Services
Our services include Post-diagnosis counselling and ongoing support, Training, Support groups, Compilation and distribution of stimulation kits, Advocacy, and Adult programmes.
Our Impact
Progress by Numbers