The Centre of Grace Foundation, a non-profit organisation founded in 2020 to provide services for autistic children and children with related neurodevelopmental differences, launched their Surf Therapy Programme, in conjunction with Aleph Surf International, at the Main Beach in Jeffrey’s Bay in February this year.
“Surfing has been used effectively as therapy in many parts of the world, and the Centre of Grace is the first school in South Africa to use surfing as therapy for children with neurodevelopmental differences within a formal school setting,” said co-founder, Toyer Jappie.
“After all, Jeffrey’s Bay is an international surfing destination and the perfect location for such a programme.
“We believe that the programme will benefit the mental and physical health of learners and benefit skills development – providing different learning mechanisms to improve different skill sets.”
According to Jappie, surf therapy programmes in other parts of the world have shown that autistic children who participate in the programme, thrive.
“There is improved social interaction, increased verbal output, an increase in communication initiation, fewer meltdowns, more confidence, and a general improvement in peer relationships,” she said.
“Many children with autism struggle with sensory overload, where simple sensations overload them. The weightlessness and rhythms of the ocean help to ease their sensory overload, which has a massive impact on their overall well-being.”
The surf therapy programme was developed by Aleph Surf International after extensive consultation with Liquid Therapy, an organisation running a similar programme for autistic children in Ireland.
School
Apart from the Surf Therapy Programme, the foundation also opened its first school in Jeffrey’s Bay earlier this year.
“These services never existed before,” Jappie said.
“The school provides appropriate quality and equitable education, therapy, health services and support to children with autism and related neurodevelopmental differences between the ages of two and 12 years.”
More information
- For more information, send an email to admin@cogf.org.za or contact 071 240 1292. Alternatively, visit www.cogf.org.za.
