Education360 Blog: A mom’s autism journey

Educational learning centre

We are a diverse educational learning centre which explores the future of learning in all its dimensions and expand learning in all areas for ALL children. What we do: We are a diverse educational learning centre based in Garsfontein, Pretoria which explores the future of learning in all its dimensions and expand learning in all areas for ALL children. We enable learning and understanding through differentiated methods of instruction and facilitation in a multi-graded and dual-medium environment. We specialise in Home-schooling Facilitation for various grades, Remedial Therapy, Tutoring Sessions, School-Readiness Screening and Standardised Assessments, Full Scholastic Assessments, Visagraph Eye-Function Testing, Study Skills Courses and much more! The members bring combined experience in excess of 25 years in Early Childhood Development, Remedial Teaching, and Curriculum & Course design. Our roles: We are the Owners, Founders, Facilitators, Teachers (also; advocates between children, doctors, guardians, mentors, counselors, role models, listeners and much more…) and specialists in remedial and reading functioning.

Play Therapist

Specialise in Play Therapy BSocSci (Hons) Psychology (UP); MDIAC Play Therapy (UNISA) I studied BSocSci Psychology and BSocSci (Hons) Psychology at the University of Pretoria. In 2003 I received an invitation to join the Golden Key International Honour Society. I was awarded a postgraduate bursary by the University of Pretoria to further my studies in 2005. I decided to specialise in Play Therapy and furthered my studies at the University of South Africa where I obtained the MDIAC degree, with the dissertation on ‘Siblings of children with cancer’s experience in the family dynamics after treatment’. I am currently practicing as a play therapist, working with children two years and older with a variety of emotional and behavioural problems due to e.g. divorce, bullying, low self-esteem, as well as children in the health care system. A great deal of my work requires me to provide parental guidance and to support parents and educators in raising happy and well-balanced children. As a member of the board of the ‘Association for the Education and Care of Young Children’ (AECYC), I work closely with other therapists in the field of early childhood development and support nursery schools and -educators on the psychosocial needs of the children. I volunteer my services to Operation Smile South Africa where I am a credentialed Child Life Therapists through Operation Smile International. I accompany Operation Smile from time to time on medical missions internationally and locally where I prepare the children emotionally for their operation and attend to their psychosocial needs. I have a passion for working with children, parents, and professionals in the field of education and psycho-social care of children.

Teacher

Tiaan Lötter is a digital learning enthusiast and Google Certified Innovator. He has a background in Public and Private Secondary Education teaching Afrikaans as a first additional language. Through his teaching, he strives to use technology in his lessons in pedagogically valuable methods to engage students in learning opportunities. He presents at summits, conferences and workshops on the integration of digital technologies into education. He believes failure is a step to success and that all teachers are superheroes. Education 2014 Google Educator Certification 2013 Google Certified Teacher 2012 Post-Grad Certificate in Education 2012 Post-Grad Certificate in Editing (English) 2009 Post-Grad Certificate in Pension Fund Law Post-Grad Certificate in Advanced Company Law 2008 B.Com Law (Economics major) 2003 Grade 12 / Matric (National Senior Certificate) Skills

• Geek-level computer skills on Windows and Apple Mac. • Excellent education and technology integration skills regarding Apple Apps and Google Apps For Education using pads/tablets and macs/computers. • Training in the context of professional development regarding the integration of technology in teaching. • Training provided: o Google Apps for Education: Chrome and Extensions / Google Drive and Extensions / Google Sites o Augmented Reality (Setting up and using Aurasma and Daqri apps) • Compiling training / educational material in the context of a classroom and professional development. • Notably: o Wrote and contributed to grade 9, 10 and 11 Afrikaans First Additional Language textbooks. o Developed poetry resources across multiple platforms like Prezi, Keynote and Google Drive Slides. o Developed language in context resources using Keynote. o Developed prose resources using Aurasma's augmented reality. o Following creationist theory with learner work. • Attended Google Educator Group Leader training workshop. • Excellent editing, proofing and translating of English and Afrikaans. • Excellent written and verbal communication in English and Afrikaans.

Wellness Consultant

My wellness journey started in Zimbabwe after taking a course in Executive Certificate in Workplace Safety and Health Management under Workplace HIV/AIDS Support Programme offered by University of Zimbabwe in 2007, which opened me to the impact of health-related issues in the workplace. After completing my Environmental Health degree with Solusi University in 2009, I worked as Information and Communications Officer at a local HIV/AIDS non-governmental organization and it was during this period that I learned of the burden of communicable and non-communicable disease globally. In 2011 I was appointed Safety and Health Officer at a plastic manufacturing company and during my tenure, I witnessed untimely deaths of two colleagues due to chronic disease complications. I felt compelled to contribute in transforming the traditional system of health care. Due to economic malaise in Zimbabwe, I lost my job at the end of the year, though disappointed this gave me an opportunity to transform healthcare. With two of my friends from University, we opened a wellness consulting firm with the objective of transforming the landscape of healthcare in Africa. In 2012 I was working alone consulting and writing wellness articles for Barclays, Econet Wireless, CBZ, and other companies which had a high number of sedentary employees. Our company initiated Wellness Cluster Meetings which offered an opportunity to discuss and learn wellness programs from other peers in the industry. Around this time I partnered with Wellness Africa (South Africa) and was later trained in 2013 as a Certified Wellness Coordinator. During that visit to South Africa, I learned of wellness programs offered by Discovery Vitality and realized to make sustainable health behavior change globally it was imperative to settle in South Africa and reach a global market. By the beginning of 2014, I was offered an opportunity to work in South Africa, which I grabbed without hesitation. Where to start now? Whilst in Zimbabwe I had applied to be trained Health Economics by World Bank Institute and in February 2014 I received a positive response and went on to enroll in the course. Beginning of 2015 I studied Innovating in Healthcare with Harvard Business School which was an eye opener on the business side of healthcare. By end of August, I had become part of the Vitality Wellness Network for Discovery Vitality after finishing a course in Advanced Certificate in Workplace Wellness which opened a new door to the application of behavioural economics in wellness programmes. Currently, I work as a Wellness Consultant with Blue Ocean Healthcare, which provides behavioural wellness consulting services for medical aid schemes, brokers, hospitals and companies in South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Content Marketer

Freelance Content Marketer with an interest in education, organisational culture, and personal development In 2012, I obtained BA Dramatic Arts Honours degree from Wits University. I have also completed several Online Marketing courses, including a Content Marketing course through the University of Stellenbosch, for which I was the top student for 2015. I have always had a curiosity about the world around me and believe I will never stop learning. This has ignited my interest in a variety of areas including, but not limited to, education, personal development, and organizational culture. With experience in media, public relations and content marketing, I approach my work with a theoretical sentiment combined with a creative edge. With regards to education, I have a particular interest in early childhood development, particularly sexual health as well as how we prepared our kids are for the outside world once they leave school. One of my key driving forces is to add value and inspire those I meet to achieve what they desire most.

Registered Occupational Health Nurse

I am primarily a registered nurse by profession since 1982. In 1999 I started specializing in Occupational Health where the emphasis shifted from pure patient care to employee health and wellbeing. In 2009 I started working for the University of Pretoria where I established an Occupational Health Centre for employees where all employees are subjected to a medical surveillance program depending on the occupational hazards and risks they are exposed to during the course of their work life. Being part of the academic environment, I enrolled as a student in 2012 and completed a B Cur I et A with majors in Nursing Education, Nursing Administration and Industrial Psychology in 2014. Throughout my professional life, it became second nature to educate people regarding health issues in order to ensure an optimal state of health and wellbeing within larger communities. It is extremely satisfying to empower people with the relevant information, knowledge, and tools to be able to make responsible choices and take care of their own health, as well as emergency situations they may encounter. This platform gives me the ideal opportunity to involve a larger population with my effort. I am very grateful to MOMENTUM HEALTH for the opportunity to do so. And hope to contribute even more in future.

Engineering Graduate with a major in Computer Science

After graduation, he switched his career path to become a well-known authority in content and digital media industry. His ability to write the most complex stuff in an easy-to-understand and conversational language has earned him a number of loyal admirers and readers in the blogosphere. He has a considerable experience of 6 years in the digital industry and his knowledge about the latest job trends comes from his association with the largest job portal of India, Naukri.com, where he is employed as a digital media analyst.

Occupational therapist with special interest in Ayres Sensory Integration and Neurodevelopmental Therapy

I completed my B. Occupational Therapy degree in 2005 at the University of the Free State. Following my community service year, I joined a dynamic multidisciplinary team of therapists at a rehabilitation hospital but realised in August 2008 that I needed to follow my childhood dream, working with children. This led to the opening of my own private practice, on a part-time basis at first, in 2009. Since May 2010 I have been working closely with other occupational therapists, psychologists and speech therapists and now form part of the multidisciplinary team based at Therapeace. Learning more about the newest developments in the paediatric field has always been one of my priorities. As a result, I qualified as a sensory integration therapist in 2011 and as a neuro-developmental therapist in 2013. I am also trained in Therapeutic Listening, Tomatis® method, and Interactive Metronome. I am therefore writing about occupational therapy, the different frames of treatment as well as interesting topics that parents ask me about in private practice. By researching and writing up, I not only plough back into the community but also enrich myself. I am passionate about children and will give my best to benefit each child that crosses my pathway. I believe that teamwork is the key to developing children and this team includes the parents as an integral part of the team.

Visiting Professor and researcher in Biokinetics

Prof. Dr. Ina Shaw is appointed as a Researcher: Physical Wellness. She holds a doctorate degree in Biokinetics specialising in cardiopulmonary disease prevention and rehabilitation. She is also an honorary appointed Full Professor at the University of Johannesburg and a visiting Full Professor at the University of Venda. She is a South African National Research Foundation (NRF) rated researcher and the current President of the Physical Activity Research Projects. She is an Editorial Board Member of the Orthopedic Journal of Sports Medicine, an Associate Editor for the Global Journal of Health and Physical Education Pedagogy and an international advisory panel member for MR International Journal of Applied Health Sciences. Previously, she has been in private Biokinetics Practice, worked as an Associate Professor at Vaal University of Technology and was the head of research at Monash South Africa. She has authored over 150 international journal publications and her research is continuously published in the popular press, such as Muscle Evolution, Fitness, and Fitness His Edition.

Communications Consultant and Blogger

I am a communications consultant with the experience of working in public relations agencies, on various clients in the areas of technology, finance and corporate social investment. I’m a strong advocate for the use of technology in areas of education. I also believe that children need to be equipped with adequate knowledge to understand the effects of technology and social media in their everyday lives as well as their futures, while being able to participate in a world that requires them to use technology. In recent years, I have worked as a freelance writer on various platforms, having started as a technology writer and gadget reviewer, now branching out into lifestyle orientated pieces as well as specific researched topics that I am asked to write on.

CEO of The Niche Agency, Journalist for the Sunday Times Careers

I write under the name of Paulus Pilatus for The Sunday Times, largely because, being an advertising man, writing under my own name would be conceived as commercial self-promotion. No youngster, I have been in recruitment advertising industry almost since inception and remain in the industry as CEO of an agency that writes and places recruitment, education and tender advertising. Qualified by experience alone, my focus is and always has been on good recruitment advertising and the role it plays in the careers and development of the youth of tomorrow and the path they choose to follow. Parents read job ads with their children in mind and a good advert clearly outline future opportunities, particularly in the critical skills arena. With the noticeable move from hard press advertising, my present focus is attracting the attention of young and old, in a job advertising context, given the speed with which they surf internet, be it in a social or news-search context.

A unique revision resource.

Paper Video is a set of unique revision resources that give South African students access to quality, experienced teachers for the specific exam questions they’re struggling with. Our resources make it possible for parents to wave goodbye to overpriced and under-qualified private tutors. Maths Physics Biology Accounting Have a look at what we offer. We create books of past exam papers in the subjects of Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences and Accounting with one crucial difference: every question in our exams are linked to a video solution, taught by an experienced South African teacher, showing students how to get the correct answer, step by step. Every book contains links to literally hundreds of video solutions that amount to dozens of hours of teaching time. These videos are accessible online (via our website or app) OR offline (via our DVD packs or SD cards). In this way, any student in South Africa with an internet connection, smart phone or a DVD player can gain access to a quality teacher for the specific exam questions they are struggling with. Every solution video takes students step by step through the problem, including the theory and concepts they would need to achieve a greater understanding. It’s like having your own personal teacher, on call, 24/7!

A life-changing experience in day-care!

Your child’s early years are of utmost importance, with a profound impact on happiness, success, and development. You as a parent know this of course, and so do we. Parents are trusting Opti-Baby & Kids Day-Care Centres with a precious and unique life – and we at Opti-Baby & Kids honour that trust by spending the best of our time, talent and energy to help children grow, into their unique best self. The company was founded by Ina Engelbrecht in 2003. Ina has more than 28 years of experience in early childhood development (ECD), running ECD centers, and commercialising ECD IP. She has worked with some of the leading child psychologists in the field in order to develop her IP. The Opti-Baby concept has enjoyed considerable success and to date, Opti’s programmes and products make us the undisputed market leader in this particular field. Integrating these concepts within a dedicated care and stimulation facility with trained staff and facilitators was the obvious natural progression. Opti provides a combination of world-class early childhood development (ECD) integrated into 7:00am to 5:30pm daycare for six weeks to 5-year-olds at wonderful, secure, and convenient facilities. The differentiated value proposition to parents is focused on the following areas:

Supreme Environment (“wow look & feel) – plenty of outdoor space in a safe, quiet environment; Secure – 24/7 live video streaming, go watch your child at any time of day; High caregiver ratio: 4:1 child/caregiver ratio for babies; Cutting edge ECD: based on cutting-edge child stimulation practices, toys, tools, and well-trained staff and; Convenient: typically located en-route to major commercial centers in Johannesburg and Pretoria. Since inception in 2003, Opti has expanded to 13 centers around Gauteng namely: PRETORIA: Brooklyn, Eldoraigne, Equestria, Highveld and Moreleta JOHANNESBURG: Bedfordview, Eagle Canyon, Fourways, Midrand, Morningside, Northcliff, Rosebank, Ruimsig A Day-Care Centre is not chosen lightly and we offer a peace of mind service to our busy parents. It is a premium service within the sphere of pre-school development and childcare. Opti-Baby & Kids - A life-changing experience in day-care! Some of the extra-murals that Opti-Baby & Kids offer are

Co-Founder - 1,000,000 Footprints Campaign

Monique is the founder of Children4Conservation and the Youth Leader of 1,000,000 Footprints to Save Africa Campaign. This campaign aims to afford all children, irrespective of nationality, creed, colour or status, the opportunity to realise that their voices are powerful and capable of fuelling change and transformative action. The 1,000,000 Footprints to Save Africa Campaign is an awareness raising and education program earmarked for the youth of Africa and the world. The Campaign visits schools, places of learning and any other location where youth gather with an interactive presentation aimed at making aware and educating the youth on the current environmental issues facing Africa, focusing on the endangered species and, in particular, the rhino. The youth are then encouraged to take a pledge to spread the word, be aware, and become an advocate for the youth by placing their footprints down on lengths of cloth in a SYMBOLIC WALK for the world to see – a peaceful protest against the continued exploitation and destruction of Africa’s natural resources. Monique placed 3rd in the International Young Eco-Hero Award 2015. The U.S. Embassy in Hanoi invited her to speak at the WildFest Gala Evening which took place in Hanoi in October 2015 and to visit and speak to scholars of 10 schools in Hanoi during the week leading up to the Fest. This was all in aid of Operation Game Change aimed at initiating a downward trend in the consumption and sales of endangered species in Hanoi including the purchasing and consumption of Rhino Horn. Click here to view events

An intervention movement programme to remove barriers to learning.

Mind Moves® is an intervention movement programme aimed at children from 6 – 18 years, removing barriers to learning that can hamper children’s cognitive development, diminishing their confidence and leaving them feeling anxious and confused. WHAT IS MIND MOVES Mind Moves programmes focus on weaknesses on a physical developmental level, due to underdeveloped sensory-motor wiring, causing learning barriers like ADD/ADHD, Dyslexia, Tactile Defensiveness, Problems with Math, Delayed Language development, Poor Listening or Visual skills, Poor Pencil grip and Writing skills, Low Muscle tone, Anxiety disorders, Poor Balance, Poor Exam and Test writing skills, etc. Mind Moves are scientifically-proven exercises that successfully remove these barriers by building strong pathways between the senses, brain, and muscles, freeing a child to develop naturally; and continued use of Mind Moves nurtures excellence in learning throughout school and life. Mind Moves are easy, fun movements and can easily be performed at home. WHAT WE DO At Mind Moves we address barriers to learning and recommend tailor-made programmes, by assessing children 1:1 to get to the root of the problem of learning barriers. We also establish preferred learning styles and Mind Dynamix® Dominance Profiles to reveal dominant learning strengths; find out why children struggle to learn and what holds them back in school; learn what steps to take and help them to become academic achievers, improve their marks and succeed at school. Our services also include:

Study fitness programmes, providing the tools for top academic achievement in one great package to master children’s strengths to taste success, build self-confidence and develop emotional maturity. This programme also strengthens underdeveloped areas, to overcome unnecessary obstacles in their daily life. School readiness assessments including a Mind Moves solution that strengthens your child’s brain from the very first day and helps them to excel at school up until matric. Interactive Mind Moves Workshops, tailor-made to address barriers to learning as the perfect TOOLS for parents and teachers to improve children’s ability to perform in the classroom and boost their confidence. At the Mind Moves Institute, we remove barriers to learning to ensure that a child is happy, excels at school and life, knows and uses his/her own strengths and reaches for higher goals. Mind Moves removes any notion that a child is unable to learn!

Personal Development Consultant & Life Coach, Facilitator for PET South Africa

I have been in the adult learning environment for more than 15 years, am a qualified ODETEP (Occupational Directed Education Training and Development Practices), facilitator and life coach, I’ve made it my personal mission to create moments where people can experience powerful ‘AHA’ moments. It is my passion to facilitate learning that has an impact and has the potential to change lives. To empower people to be all they are capable of, helping them unlock their true potential and transforming it into results are some of the most satisfying experiences I’ve had. More importantly, I am also a mom of two beautiful boys aged 4 and 2 and have the unique opportunity to be a stepmom to a 12-year-old in a reconstructed family. When I first attended the Parent Efficiency Training (P.E.T) workshop, the entire time spent was a series of great AHA moments. I underwent a life-changing experience and felt empowered to unlock my true potential as a parent! It was impossible to imagine not sharing these phenomenal discoveries and insights with everyone I know. I had to become part of this team. I feel as if I’ve been preparing my entire life to live this purpose of giving parents power tools to develop emotionally intelligent children who will ultimately help change the world and make it a better place – one child, one family at a time. One of my favourite quotes by Marianne Williamson, also used by Mandela in his Inauguration speech is: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” We can sow the seeds. With the right nurturing and care, we can experience the joy and exhilaration of seeing the grass growing and the flowers blooming.g.

CEO of A+Students

I completed my BSc Ed degree at the then Rand Afrikaans University (RAU), now known as the University of Johannesburg(UJ). I was always passionate about education and became a Mathematics and Science teacher at Hoërskool Roodepoort from 1994 - 2000. Whilst being an educator I still continued offering extra Maths classes at my home and other venues from 2000 to today. In 2000 I embarked on a new journey as a Medical Representative for a Pharmaceutical Company and this provided me with invaluable sales experience. I was appointed PAMA South Africa (Pan Asian Mathematics Association) President in 2010.This appointment enable students to participate annually at the PAMA Abacus and Mental Arithmetic Competitions around the world. This year we are taking 43 students to represent South Africa in USA. Previous year we competed in India, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand and Hong Kong . In 2015, my company, SEMAS SA, trading as A+Students was awarded ISDF (Institute of Soroban Diffusion Foundation) membership. This membership enables us to take a group of A+Students student to an annual Soroban camp in Tokyo, Japan. This year will be our second attendance at the camp with 20 South African students. A+Students also scooped the ROCCI Roodepoort Chamber of Commerce and Industry) Small Business of year 2013 award and in 2014 the Educational Business of Year runner up. My greatest motivation for starting Soroban Education was the fact that I, as a matric Maths & Science teacher, witnessed first-hand how matriculants were struggling with Differentiation and many other Mathematical topics. Not because they don’t understand Differentiation for example, they do, but in the process of completing, showing the steps when they solve the problem, they lose most marks because they cannot add, subtract, multiply and divide. In 2005, I saw an insert on Carte Blanche where 5 year old Japanese children were doing the most amazing sums adding, subtracting dividing and multiplying large numbers in seconds, mentally. I did not sleep for days and I eventually found Soroban Education and that was the start of our journey. Since then A+Students has participated in 7 international competitions. We have met the Science minister from Thailand and our sojourns into Asia cannot ever be measured. We have grown from just a handful of international participants to huge groups. We have gone from bronze medals and now we can even boast with gold and this was won competing against the best mathematicians in the world.

Educational Psychologist

I started teaching in 2004 while still studying. After completing my Education degree at the University of Johannesburg in 2006, I took a special interest in psychology. I went on to complete my Honours and Masters degree at the University of Pretoria and qualified as an Educational Psychologist in 2009. I remained in the schooling system with my role changing from educator to school psychologist where I got the opportunity to address a lot of the issues I saw in the classroom on an individual basis. In addition, I also entered private practice and qualified as a BabyGym instructor in 2009. My focus was on developmental classes with moms and their babies, the prevention of learning difficulties, learning difficulties, emotional difficulties, career guidance, accommodations/concessions and school readiness. I especially enjoyed giving parents guidance as I felt that the parent’s role in the intervention process was crucial for success. The fact that parents often felt left in the dark with regards to their children’s therapy or the education system, sparked this interest on even further. Demystifying educational and developmental issues one parent at a time was very satisfying, doing it on a platform that could potentially reach millions of parents by writing about these topics is exhilarating.

Kinderkineticist - BA MBW (NWU), BA Honn (NWU) MA Kinderkinetics (NWU), SAPIK (SA)

My name is Marene Jooste. I am married and the mother of 2 beautiful boys. I have completed a 3-year degree in Human Movement Science and obtained an Honours Degree as well as a Masters Degree in Kinderkinetics. With God’s grace (and very hard work), I graduated all 3 degrees with distinction and was selected as Kinderkineticist of the Year. I am also a member of the Golden Key International Honor Society and currently serve on the board of SAPIK (the South African Professional Institute for Kinderkinetics) as one of 2 vice-presidents. After my studies, I worked at Botje & Billson Optometrists to help children improve their functional (binocular) as well as their visual-perceptual skills. In those 3 years, I have furthered my training with regards to eye muscle control and the impact it has on a child’s ability to read, learn and write. In 2008 I founded Kwanda Kinetics. This innovative centre is dedicated to providing high-quality programs and services to improve physical fitness, promote healthy living and develop neuro-motor skills crucial for future scholastic achievement. We currently have 5 Kinderkinetici as part of the Kwanda family and they are all contracted as in-house Kinderkinetici at about 20 schools in the Westrand of Gauteng. In the afternoons, we provide full neuro-motoric assessments, adapted physical programs as well as reading therapy sessions (being a Wise Eye Reading Agent). I have presented numerous workshops to more than 500 teachers in the past few years, and are passionate about educating and serving the local community. I am also an Integrated Learning Practitioner as well as a SNAP tutor for autistic children. Our centre works in conjunction with numerous professionals including but not limited to nutritionists, behavioural optometrists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, rheumatologists, podiatrists, paediatricians, and neurologists. Our centre is also honoured to have recently partnered with the University of Johannesburg to do more research about children's development. I am a firm believer in the holistic outlook of a child's development and thus our centre approaches learning from this point of view. I am passionate about what I do and believe that this is one of my callings in life – to love, cherish and develop the most precious thing in the Kingdom of God – children.

Mom with experience in autism

Having a special needs child is not a death sentence My name is Lourika Horn, I’m a wife, mother, and designer by trade. I married my best friend and we are now the proud parents of two beautiful blue-eyed boys, Louw and Hendrik. I am currently working as head designer at Tracker in Johannesburg and love the graphic design industry. My motto: Work for money, Design for LOVE My specialities include designing marketing material such as brochures, catalogues, banners, and flyers; social media graphics; website design and interactive pdf's. You might wonder what I would like to share with you on this platform then. Another special interest that I have is sketching and designing infographics for social stories, schedules, and other educational material to help my son who’s got special needs. Louw was diagnosed with autism in 2013 at the age of nearly 2.

“Motherhood has taught me the meaning of living in the moment and being at peace. Children don’t think about yesterday, and they don’t think about tomorrow. They just exist in the moment.”

—Jessalyn Gilsi I trust that by sharing our experience, more parents will realize that having a special needs child is not a death sentence, but rather the beginning of an unknown, yet very inspiring road ahead.

Registered Dietitian

Leanne completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Dietetics through the University of KwaZulu-Natal from 2006 to 2009 and then received her Post Graduate Diploma in Dietetics in 2009. In 2010 she completed her community service in northern KwaZulu-Natal where she gained experience in community nutrition, public health, nutrition education and disease-specific nutrition support. In 2011 Leanne began working with the food industry and has gained experience with regard to nutrition marketing and communication, product development and renovation and ensuring compliance with nutrition-related regulations. During this time, Leanne completed her Master of Science degree in Nutrition from North-West University and specialised in breakfast intake among adolescents, as well as advanced nutrition, public health, and sports nutrition. She also currently serves on the Association for Dietetics in South Africa (ADSA) Gauteng South committee. Leanne joined Pick n Pay as the resident dietitian in May 2014. She is the voice behind the Pick n Pay Health Hotline, providing advice to customers on a range of nutrition and health-related topics. She also provides nutrition input as part of the Pick n Pay food development team and ensures that all communication is in line with the most recent advances in nutrition science and research. To have your nutrition queries answered, visit the Pick n Pay Nutrition and Wellness Page or contact Leanne via the Health Hotline on 0800 11 22 88 or healthhotline@pnp.co.za to start your nutrition conversation.

Writer and Teacher

I love reading and writing. I’m a mother, writer, and teacher, with two boys: William, a young teenager, and Alexander, a tall 9-year-old. My husband Steve is an audio and sound-systems specialist. I have taught English at a local high school, tutored high school students, and written for textbooks and study guides. I still write and tutor, and write worksheets for English at ONCE, a subscription service for high schools. When I read, I enjoy taking notes; and then I pass those on to you! When I need to know something, I read a lot and find people with experience in the topic: ADD, teenagers, gifted children, boundaries for kids, and much more. I look forward to sharing the parenting/education journey with you!

BabyGym Instructor – BabyGym Institute, Advanced Mind Moves Instructor – Mind Moves institute

I studied LLB at Pretoria University, I completed my studies in 2005. In 2006 I started with my articles at a law firm in Johannesburg. After completion of my two years of articles I was admitted as an attorney in the Transvaal High Court. During 2008 I was a law lecturer at Varsity College in Sandton, this is where I realized that I wanted to work more with people and especially babies and children. We relocated to George and when I was expecting my first baby I knew that my passion for babies and children was much greater that my passion for law. I qualified as a BabyGym instructor at the end of 2010. BabyGym gave me the knowledge and opportunity to work with the most precious gift….children. I really enjoy working with babies, but I wanted to be able to help older children, this is where Mind Moves came in. During 2012 and 2013 I completed my Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) through UNISA. I am excited about the chance that I have to assist children of all ages with challenges they face. I enjoy researching and writing about all aspects of child development and particularly how physical movement can development and improve children of all ages and with various challenges.

Teacher

Jennifer is an experienced and passionate teacher that loves children, reading and teaching methodology. I am a teacher who has been in the game for 32 years, 27 of those years at private schools in Johannesburg. I adore children and animals and spend all of my free time at a Girls’ Home for abused and abandoned children where I try to make a difference. I have a Higher Diploma in Education, an Honours Degree in Educational Management and have just completed a second Honours, this time specialising in Psycho-Educational Support. I read voraciously and like to lead as far as new educational findings and changes in methodology and teaching strategies are concerned.

Green Beings educates people about active environmental stewardship, the state of our natural environment and the human impact there on.

Our Projects The Green Schools Model The long-term vision is to develop a working model that can be replicated in other schools and communities. The Green Schools Model improves environmental management and transforms schools into models of sustainable living and into vehicles that integrate knowledge and skills into the community. Awareness campaigns focus on environmental days to increase environmental consciousness. The implementation of *green innovations and schemes reduce costs and carbon footprints as well as showcase best practices. * Green innovations & schemes: rainwater harvesting, grey water systems, alternative energy, bio-gas digesters, recycling schemes, vegetable gardens, composting and worm farms. River Rehab River Rehab is a community project that promotes the remediation and use of natural areas along our waterways. We promote local biodiversity and active stewardship through litter and alien vegetation removal and indigenous flora introductions. Income-generating Mechanisms All money generated from our income-generating mechanisms fund our school-based projects in Cosmo City. Sponsorship, donations and CSI Days A platform where companies can execute CSR, sponsor a project or opt for a fully packaged CSI day without diverting focus from core business. Due recognition and Section 18A invoices will be given in light of funding. Environmental Workshops Workshops are tailor-made, curriculum-linked, fun and focus on environmental themes. Green Beings Supporters Individuals and businesses are able to sign up and become a Green Beings supporter. Internships and Volunteering Individuals are able to join The Green Beings Team to gain valuable experience in the education and environmental sector.

Founder & Managing Director of Thrive Financial Wellness Frank, a certified financial planner, is also the founder and managing director of Thrive Financial Wellness. He is currently establishing and overseeing operations of the following Group subsidiaries:

www.elimindset.com

Prior to this, Frank was with Momentum from 2010-2016 making his mark in the financial space as Segment Head of Momentum Retail, Executive Director of Momentum Wealth and Chief Executive Officer in Momentum Administration Service. Prior to joining Momentum, Frank was Head of Institutional Business at Investment Solutions, South Africa’s largest multi-manager. He was responsible for overseeing all the day-to-day activities of the institutional business of the company. In 2001, after a successful career as a risk manager and derivatives trader, Frank founded Foremost Futures, a member of the South African Futures Exchange. Foremost Futures was Frank’s second stint as an entrepreneur. During 1993, Frank ran a fruit and vegetable business in downtown Johannesburg. Frank closed this business in July 1994 when it became difficult to balance his studies at Wits University and his business. Frank graduated from Wits University in 1996 with a BSc in Mathematical Sciences and Mathematical Statistics. He went on to earn a first class BSc (Hons) in Advanced Mathematics of Finance from the same institution. In 2002, Frank completed a first class MSc in Financial Mathematics at the University of Pretoria. His dissertation was titled “Modelling Default-Risky Bonds” and he examined the structural and reduced-form models used to value default-risky bonds. In 2008, Frank qualified as a Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA), in 2010 he qualified as a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), in 2011 he completed the Advanced Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning with the University of the Free State and in July 2012, he qualified as a Certified Financial Risk Manager (FRM). In October 2013, Frank completed the Advanced Management Program at the Harvard Business School. Frank believes that there is no skill more crucial to the success of a leader, the leadership of a nation and its prosperity than reading. He believes that successful leaders make reading an indispensable part of improving their personal and professional life. One of Frank's favourite quotes is attributed to Henry S.Trurman: "Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers."

Mathematics Teacher & Owner of StudyChamp

Estelle is a passionate teacher and mother who want to make school easier through the education material she develops. The saying is that education is in your blood. In my case, this is literally so. I grew up in a teacher-family. My mom was a part-time teacher and my dad - a brilliant Mathematics teacher and Headmaster of a High School. My mom often reminisces about how I as a young child used to teach an imaginary class and how I couldn’t wait to go to school. In High School, our house was often a tutor centre, where I explained mathematics to my fellow school mates around the dining room table. I guess it was inevitable that my life journey would take me to many classrooms and teaching opportunities. I went on to study education at the North West University. I did a BA degree, majoring in English and Mathematics and then went on to do my Higher Education Diploma. And the teaching didn’t stop here. When my first child was in Grade 4 in an IEB school, I realised that not all children are naturally equipped for the demands of IEB assessments. While knowledge is important, the real acid test and ethos of IEB assessments is how a child is able to use and apply said knowledge to make inferences and re-use it in other creative ways. I searched online for study materials to help my child practice these skills, but found very little with South African content. I then designed my own mock test papers for my child, which later extended to my friends’ children and saw that it definitely made a difference. The papers introduced them to other ways of questioning and helped stimulate higher order thinking. It also gave them confidence when writing tests as they knew what to expect. Four years later, StudyChamp is the realisation of my dream: An educational website with the main purpose of making school easier (and more fun) for children.

Paediatric Clinical Psychologist & founder of the Trinity Triad of Creating, The Accelerator, and the Power Life series

Dr. Pieter Kitshoff is a Clinical Psychologist who is passionate about developing confidence in children and adults and gives a lot back through research and community service. After receiving his PhD in psychology at the University of Stellenbosch in 1983, he completed his post-doctoral fellowship at Brown University (USA), and qualified as a Child Development Specialist and Paediatric Clinical Psychologist. On his return to South Africa, he started his own private practice as a clinical psychologist. He left his practice in 2012, and founded the Creating Opportunity Group, Inc. Since then he has been doing extensive research of the causal factors on the skills in maximizing life in adults and embracing confidence in children. From this research, the Power Life- Chasing Your Dream and Amazing Confident Kids (ACK) programs were born. Recently he has founded the Centre for Motivation and Change and the Creative Arts Youth Centre. Both these Centres have as its main focus the discovering and creating of one’s optimal potential. For young adults, the online program series ACCELERATOR has its focus on the enhancement of ultimate determination, self-discipline, and commitment to success. In the case of the ACK teacher and parent programs, the mechanism of creative art, nature photography and moral storytelling are applied with the focus on developing self-esteem and confidence skills in children. Pieter is also a qualified primary school teacher. He has developed the ITM program where the focus is on critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision making. This is being presented mainly in the Corporate Business environment. He also delivers Teacher Training courses with the emphasis on Applied Behavioural Analysis and assistance of children with special educational needs. Pieter is a qualified Dementia and Alzheimer management specialist. He has received a few awards of which the Paul Harris International Rotary award for outstanding community services is his humble pride. Pieter’s hobbies range from seashell art to the making of bird call flageolets and his lifestyle embraces personal fitness.

Founder of both BabyGym & Mind Moves Institutes, Keynote Speaker & Developmental Specialist D.Phil (RAU)

Some call her approach to child development rather unusual, but it is exactly this novel and fun approach that makes her a respected leader in the field of child development. Melodie’s education has been broad and diverse, ranging from a B.Prim.Ed (RAU) in 1982, a B.Ed Psych (RAU) 1985, M.Ed Psych (RAU) 1993 on maths and science learning readiness to D.Phil (RAU) 2005. Despite all her formal studies Melodie is quick to point out that most of her studies actually happened at home learning from her three children, Ruan, Waldo and Cozette, and the hundreds of children and babies she worked with in her private practice. In 2005 Melodie founded the BabyGym® Institute and in 2007 the Mind Moves® Institute. She is actively involved in both Institutes promoting the importance of physical development to optimise brain and whole child/person development. In 2005 she was nominated by the American Biographical Institute for one of the “Greatest Women of the 21st Century”. In 2007 her BabyGym programme won the DSA: VISIONS OF THE FUTURE award. In 2011 she was nominated for the Shoprite Checkers Women of the Year award in the Educators category. Apart from being the founder of various institute’s, a keynote speaker for many schools, governmental departments and corporates, Melodie is also the published author of 10 books, some of which have been translated into 6 different languages.

CEO & Founder of ITSI

Since launching its product in 2012, as the first to market in SA with an agnostic, fragmentation free, 21st-century solution to eLearning, ITSI has remained the market leader, with 184 schools, 74 000 students, and more than 4 500 teachers using the solution in 2017. Lieb was innovative from a young age, always tinkering with electronics, experimenting with and building all kinds of devices in his father’s garage. He set up his first informal business at 12; selling and trading fruit from their garden in the suburb where the family lived at the time. He later won a bursary to study electronic engineering in 1980 and completed the first 2 years successfully before deciding to change to the social sciences, ending up with a BA(Hon) (Greek), and Doctorate in Social Sciences. After spending a significant part of his life as a Researcher, Lieb decided to complete a Masters in IT. He then started his first company in 2003, which saw an opportunity to offer certified computer literacy training to adults, a product that is still certified and used by the University of Pretoria today.

RD (SA) B Dietetics UP (Registered Dietician)

Celynn Erasmus is a registered dietitian and works as a full-time professional speaker and writer. Celynn is passionate about equipping busy people with practical tools and techniques that will enhance their performance; help them manage fatigue and boost energy levels. As a professional speaker, Celynn energizes local as well as international audiences and presents regularly in the UK. Celynn is Managing Director of NewCel Mobile Health Solutions - A new start-up business committed to using mobile technology to enhance the quality of healthcare and life. Celynn is also a regular media columnist; founder and developer of the WELLCULATOR™ and has published a bestselling book with Tafelberg entitled Fast Food For Sustained Energy, co-authored with renowned dietician, Gabi Steenkamp. As a co-founder of the Resilient Energy Center and the FAB Quotient™ she worked along with her dynamic partner, Joni Peddie, and they have published book 1 (of a series of 3), called “Nutrition, Fitness, Diet & Lifestyle Hacks - The FAB Quotient: Fuel + Activate + Behave - for Resilient Energy”. The book is available here: http://amzn.to/1COIdf7 When Celynn is not working, true to her French heritage she enjoys good food and wine. She enjoys doing mosaic artwork and salsa dancing, She is crazy about her Yorkshire terrier, who is named after one of her favourite champagnes, Clicquot.

Behavioural Optometrist

Casha Meintjes is a member of the British Association of Behavioural Optometrists and leads a team of Optometrists and Vision Therapists in three of her optometric practices in Johannesburg. Eyetek Optometrists specialise in Behavioural Optometry, a whole-body approach to vision care. Behavioural optometrists understand that the way we interpret what we see does not depend solely on how clear the eyesight is. Behavioural Optometrists will not only consider the treatment of any eyesight difficulties but also the benefits of prevention, protection and enhancement of the visual system in order to improve all aspects of visual performance. The goals of behavioural optometry are to prevent vision problems from developing, to provide treatment for existing vision problems and to develop and enhance the visual skills needed in the classroom, the workplace or when playing sport. Eyetek has a special interest in particular areas of practice such as children’s vision, education, reading and learning difficulties. All practices provide functional vision examinations for patients of all ages as well as multisensory vision therapy through a team of trained therapists. Eyetek also specialises in neuro-optometric examinations and neuro-rehabilitation for patients following stroke and head injury.

Managing Director of The Education Agency

In the process of completing a B Com Business Management, the last 3 years I was involved in selling a successful technology business and building an education business. My passion for the education industry, combined with my intrigue for technology solutions, brought about a very unique and innovative product that assists the South African youth of today with critical career decisions. Inadequate career guidance results in learners leaving school with only a vague knowledge of employment opportunities, little insight of career direction and students who undertake a tertiary qualification, irrespective of suitability. The missing link in effective career guidance in South Africa remains the learner/student’s ability to economically, easily and effectively identify a specific field of study and occupation. Online Career Guidance will provide individual career guidance to learner’s based on the career direction that is most suitable to them, with a comprehensive career report and planning tools that guides them into a specific career direction most suited to their ideal career orientation.

Educational Psychologist, Neurofeedback Practitioner

Andrea has studied Human Movement Science, Biokinetics, Psychology, Hypnotherapy and Neurofeedback Therapy, and worked in schools, colleges, universities, hospitals and private practice. Currently, she is working in private practice in Westville and specializes in helping her clients to de-stress, decrease anxiety, depression, improve concentration problems and ADD/ADHD, insomnia, improve memory problems as well as people who needed to stop smoking, lose weight and reduce phobias. She helps a lot of people to achieve their goals and lead a happier life. Furthermore, Andrea has helped many athletes to increase their sporting performance, achieving great success. Apart from counseling, Andrea uses hypnotherapy and neurofeedback to assist her clients.

A mom’s autism journey

On 29 May 2012 I gave birth to the most beautiful baby boy with blue eyes and the cutest little face. Another human being is now dependent upon me for survival. More than anything, I wanted to be the best mom possible!

The mom-thing didn’t come naturally for me, it was challenging – except for the unconditional and unfailing love which I felt. I wanted to hold him all the time, but as he got bigger I noticed that he didn’t enjoy cuddling or being held. He was ok on my hip, but didn’t want to be cuddled. Why? Maybe because of caesarean birth or not breastfeeding? A bonding issue between mom and baby? All these questions raced through my mind…

As a toddler he didn’t respond to us when we called him, he didn’t point at objects like the other kids, had terrible temper tantrums and a speech delay.

I was 5 months pregnant with my second child when we got the diagnosis - Autism with ADHD. I grieved. I did not cry – I had to be strong for my devastated husband. My heart was broken. What did I do wrong?!

In the weeks and months that followed I learned to be a proud autism mommy. Louwtjie is still the same boy he has always been, I just needed to reframe the way I look at him. I am surrounded by a wonderful supportive family, friends and excellent educational intervention - together we are connecting my boy to the world! And after all, I believe that God has got a plan for us!

Over the next few articles, I will be sharing our journey with you. I trust that by sharing our experience, more parents will realize that having a special needs child is not a death sentence, but rather the beginning of an unknown, yet very inspiring road ahead.

You might want to read about their Autism Diagnosis.

Educational learning centre

Play Therapist

Teacher

Wellness Consultant

Content Marketer

Registered Occupational Health Nurse

Engineering Graduate with a major in Computer Science

Occupational therapist with special interest in Ayres Sensory Integration and Neurodevelopmental Therapy

Visiting Professor and researcher in Biokinetics

Communications Consultant and Blogger

CEO of The Niche Agency, Journalist for the Sunday Times Careers

A unique revision resource.

A life-changing experience in day-care!

Co-Founder - 1,000,000 Footprints Campaign

An intervention movement programme to remove barriers to learning.

Personal Development Consultant & Life Coach, Facilitator for PET South Africa

CEO of A+Students

Educational Psychologist

Kinderkineticist - BA MBW (NWU), BA Honn (NWU) MA Kinderkinetics (NWU), SAPIK (SA)

Mom with experience in autism

Registered Dietitian

Writer and Teacher

BabyGym Instructor – BabyGym Institute, Advanced Mind Moves Instructor – Mind Moves institute

Teacher

Green Beings educates people about active environmental stewardship, the state of our natural environment and the human impact there on.

Paediatric Clinical Psychologist & founder of the Trinity Triad of Creating, The Accelerator, and the Power Life series

Founder of both BabyGym & Mind Moves Institutes, Keynote Speaker & Developmental Specialist D.Phil (RAU)

CEO & Founder of ITSI

RD (SA) B Dietetics UP (Registered Dietician)

Behavioural Optometrist

Managing Director of The Education Agency

Educational Psychologist, Neurofeedback Practitioner

A mom’s autism journey

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