e month of April marks Autism Awareness Month. A month that a select few do an enamored amount of work to ensure that the conversation is at the forefront of the month. However, is this conversation conveyed in informal sectors? In the heart of Soweto, Ausome Heroes is leading a vibrant community walk on Monday to create more awareness around the complex developmental condition.
Studies have shown that in South Africa, the prevalence of autism is estimated to be between 0.08% and 2%. The event highlighted the power of grassroots movements in making autism visibility a national priority. We sat down with organizer and spokesperson Mpumi Booysen, who spoke about the importance of bringing conversations like these into townships, helping to foster greater awareness, inclusion, and understanding. As a mother of a child who has been diagnosed with autism, Booysen says that raising a child with a different ability or who is misunderstood by the community prompted her to create awareness around the subject and fight for inclusivity and understanding of autism, specifically throughout April.
“One of our missions as an organization is to provide children and eventually adults on the autism spectrum with skills that can assist them in having a life of independence,” she said. “For instance, one of the skills we will be offering in our programs is baking/ cooking, meaning one could then open their own small business from the skills provided.”
According to Booysen, the community showed strong support for the cause, with the walk taking place in the heart of the township, near a busy train station. The area was lined with various vendors — from Fruit & Veg retailers to street food stalls — offering participants the chance to shop and enjoy local flavours along the route.
“This is our first of many events, we hope in the future to be hosting talent shows, entrepreneurship days, and music concerts with our children on the spectrum to showcase that difference does not mean inability. Fostering a culture of inclusivity.”
Looking ahead, Booysen acknowledges that there is still much work to be done to create a lasting impact. Ausome Heroes is already planning after-school and holiday programs designed specifically for children on the autism spectrum, with an emphasis on creating spaces that are responsive to their unique needs.
Proceeds from the walk will go towards purchasing materials for sensory rooms and equipment for upcoming skills training initiatives. Through these efforts, Booysen hopes to build long-term opportunities for education, entrepreneurship, and inclusion, while helping to make autism awareness a continuous national conversation, particularly within underrepresented communities.
“There is so much that needs to be done, from health system to education system, with the growing number of diagnosis that happen yearly our policy makers need to do better to educate not only the public but their institutions themselves and it’s up to us as parents, caregivers and educators to keep advocating for our kids.”
