Let’s answer your FAQs about Amazing K

What makes Amazing K different from a traditional school?

 

Amazing K is not a traditional school—we are a therapeutic academy that provides a warm, structured, and supportive environment for young children with neurodevelopmental delays such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

 

Unlike mainstream and remedial schools in South Africa that focus on the CAPS curriculum, Amazing K focuses on early childhood development. We help children build essential foundational skills, including:

 

  • Speech and language development
  • Alternative methods of communication, such as AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication)
  • Sensory regulation and integration
  • Gross and fine motor development
  • Social interaction and emotional regulation
  • Skills for daily living and independence

 

Our therapeutic learning environment is play-based and led by a multidisciplinary team, including speech, behavioural, developmental, and therapeutic educators. These professionals work collaboratively to support the child’s development, not just academic learning.

 

From a developmental perspective, Amazing K is a bridging academy, helping children prepare for possible future placement in a more traditional schooling environment, including mainstream or remedial CAPS-based education.

 

We don’t follow a one-size-fits-all curriculum. Each child receives an Individualised Education Plan (IEP) that supports their unique developmental goals. Our team provides tailor-made, supportive interventions to help each child thrive.

 

Our goal isn’t to push academic catch-up but to nurture every child’s development in a way that respects their pace, challenges, and individuality.  Our dream is to help children overcome early delays and confidently transition into more traditional schooling if and when ready.

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    Does my child need a diagnosis to enrol at Amazing K?

    No, your child does not need a formal diagnosis to begin their journey at Amazing K.

     

    We completely understand that the diagnostic process in South Africa can be lengthy, costly, and emotionally overwhelming for families, especially in the early years when developmental concerns first arise.

     

    That’s why Amazing K welcomes children who may be showing early signs of developmental delays—even if they have not yet received a confirmed diagnosis.

     

    Suppose your child is struggling with speech or language development, social interaction, toilet training, sensory regulation, or other early neurodevelopmental milestones. In that case, we encourage you to reach out to the Amazing K team. We support families from the beginning, whether or not there’s a formal diagnosis.

     

    For us, what matters most is helping the child overcome their early challenges and giving them the right tools to thrive. Our team is here to guide and support you through every step of the journey—even the diagnostic process if and when you choose to pursue it.

     

    There are advantages to receiving a formal diagnosis. For example, having a confirmed diagnosis may allow you to claim back certain therapeutic expenses through South Africa’s ITRDD (Income Tax Return for Disability Deductions) process. This can ease the financial load for families accessing ongoing therapies like speech, occupational, and behavioural support.

     

    At Amazing K, our focus is on supporting your child’s development from day one, while walking alongside you as a partner in their growth journey.

    How does play-based learning help autistic children develop communication and life skills?

    For all children, play is the foundation of learning—but for autistic children, play-based learning is not just beneficial, it’s essential.

     

    Many children on the autism spectrum are visual and hands-on learners. They process information more effectively when they can see, touch, manipulate, and engage with objects in real, concrete ways. That’s why play-based learning is at the heart of Amazing K’s work.

     

    Through structured, therapeutic play, we help children:

     

    • Develop social engagement, a core area of difficulty for many autistic children. Play teaches them to take turns, share space, make requests, and respond to others.
    • Improve language and communication skills by creating natural opportunities for them to use words, gestures, or AAC devices during interactions.
    • Build motor skills like grasping, balancing, reaching, and crossing the midline—crucial for future tasks like writing, dressing, and coordinated movement.
    • Practice problem-solving, imitation, and flexible thinking skills that are often harder to develop through traditional teaching methods.

     

    Play is also a stress-reducing and sensory-regulating activity. Many of our classroom activities are designed to be visually clear and physically engaging, making it easier for autistic children to understand what’s expected, stay focused, and participate at their own pace.

     

    At Amazing K, we’ve seen how play unlocks learning for children who might otherwise struggle in more formal or language-heavy environments. We incorporate toys, sensory tools, visual schedules, pretend play, gross motor circuits, and cause-and-effect games that give meaning to each child’s interaction with the world around them.

     

    And we’re guided by what so many autistic adults have shared with the world: learning happens when you can see it, feel it, and experience it for yourself.

    What is early intervention and why is it important for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?

    In South Africa, early childhood development (ECD) typically refers to the support children receive in creches, daycares, or preschools, where the main focus is on preparing young learners for formal education and the national CAPS curriculum.

     

    While these environments play an important role, they are not always designed to support children who show signs of developmental delays or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

     

    Early intervention, on the other hand, is a therapeutic approach that focuses on helping young children overcome specific developmental delays—such as difficulties with speech, communication, social interaction, motor skills, emotional regulation, or sensory processing.

     

    At Amazing K, we use early intervention to identify and address the root causes of a child’s challenges. Our goal is not only to prepare the child for a grading system but also to support their development in a way that is meaningful to them—building the foundational skills they need to thrive in everyday life and, when possible, in future learning environments.

     

    For children with ASD, starting early intervention as soon as signs appear can dramatically improve outcomes. Research shows that the earlier the support begins, the more progress a child can make, especially in areas like communication, behaviour, and sensory regulation.

     

    At Amazing K, early intervention is the heart of what we do. We believe in meeting the child where they are, supporting their development through play-based therapy, and helping them build the skills they need for life—not just school.

    What are the key differences between ECD and Early Intervention?

    Early Childhood Development (ECD) Early Intervention (EI)
    Prepares child for formal schooling and CAPS curriculum Focuses on individual delays across all developmental areas
    Follows general milestones and group activities Uses individualised strategies tailored to each child
    Staffed by ECD educators Delivered by multidisciplinary teams (therapists, specialist educators, etc.)
    Structured for typically developing children Designed for children that are neurodivergent and not developing typically

    What therapy services does Amazing K offer?

    At Amazing K, everything we do stems from a therapeutic foundation. We are not a traditional school—we are a therapeutic academy, and our curriculum has been intentionally designed to support early childhood development through a play-based, occupation-centred approach.

     

    Our goal is to help children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other neurodevelopmental delays overcome a variety of developmental challenges in a fun, engaging, and structured environment. Every aspect of our daily programme—from the classroom schedule to the group activities—is rooted in therapy principles and guided by a multidisciplinary team.

     

    Here’s an overview of the therapy services and supports we offer:

    Occupation-Centred Classroom Activities

    Our daily activities are built around promoting:

     

    • Gross motor development (balance, coordination, body awareness)
    • Fine motor development (grip strength, hand-eye coordination, pre-writing skills)
    • Sensory integration (supporting sensory regulation and tolerance)

     

    Our team carefully curates these to help children reach age-appropriate developmental milestones through movement, exploration, and play.

    Speech & Language Therapy

    We have an internal speech therapy department, led by registered HPCSA speech-language therapists, who work with children in individual and group-based settings. Our speech team focuses on:

     

    • Receptive and expressive language development
    • Social communication
    • Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) for non-speaking children

    Behavioural and Social-Emotional Intervention

    We integrate behavioural support and social skills training into our group learning environment. Through routine, visuals, and guided social interaction, we promote:

     

    • Positive behaviour
    • Self-regulation
    • Peer interaction and social readiness

     

    We also offer personalised behaviour support plans for children who need additional one-on-one intervention.

    Specialist Educators and Therapy-Trained Support Staff

    Our team includes Autism Support Specialists and educators who come from a wide range of therapeutic backgrounds, including:

     

    • Behavioural Psychology
    • Child Psychology
    • Play Therapy
    • Early Intervention Specialisation
    • We collaborate with HPCSA-registered occupational therapists who provide hands-on support for children when needed.

     

    They implement therapeutic principles throughout the day, ensuring every child receives the consistent, high-quality support they need to thrive.

    At Amazing K, therapy isn’t a separate “add-on”—it’s part of everything we do. From our structured routines to our classroom design and activity planning, our entire programme is built to help children grow in the areas that matter most!