Bonita Heidrich

What does your company do?

We are a newly established, Private Autism-specific school located in Montana, Pretoria and registered as an NPC, which means we do not receive any funding and rely on donations to grow and run this unique school. Currently, we cater to learners between the ages of 6 and 12, with plans to expand our age range in the future. Our class sizes are intentionally small, with a maximum of 8 learners per class, to ensure personalized attention and support. This includes a teacher and an assistant teacher. Our multidisciplinary team includes a Speech Therapist and an Occupational Therapist, and we collaborate closely with Dr. G. Lamb, a respected Paediatric Neurologist, who also refers learners to our school. We follow the D-CAPS curriculum as a foundation and enhance it through the expertise of our multidisciplinary team. Each learner follows an Individualised Education Plan (IEP), tailored to their unique needs and strengths. Our school features an on-site therapy section, and weekly group therapy sessions with each therapist are integrated into the school program, at no additional cost. Regular feedback meetings are held with parents to monitor and discuss each learner’s progress, ensuring a strong partnership between home and school. We have created a nurturing and inclusive environment where every learner’s individual learning style is valued and supported. Learners are encouraged to progress at their own pace, without undue pressure, ensuring a positive and supportive educational experience. Establishing this school is very close to my heart as I am also a mommy of an autistic boy and seeing this school succeed means everything to me as it will also impact his future. In the same breath, we have not only created this space where learners can learn at their own pace, but we are also on a mission to educate the community about what Autism is, what it looks like, and what people can do to embrace it.

What is your biggest success?

Starting this school has been my biggest accomplishment. It is not only a space where I know my own child can thrive, but also our current learners and future learners. This space has been created out of faith and trusting God in the process it was Him putting this in my life journey. I didn't have money for any start-up cost, as mentioned I still don't receive a salary and that is okay because seeing these learners grow and progress is so fulfilling in many ways and I just want to support them and their families. I've been working in the education system for 15 years and I've seen so many things that I don't want our school to be. Being a parent of an autistic child is tough and I know the journey of uncertainty regarding your child's future, therefor I want to support other families and their kids too.

What has been your biggest hurdle?

There are so many things: Start-up costs, finding someone to invest in this. Getting a teacher. Finding a teacher who specialises in this field was hard. You really have to have a heart for working with autistic kids, the intensity is just on a different level than being a mainstream teacher. I had so many candidates that came here, spent a day with us, and they just said to me straight, it's too much and too hard. God sent me a wonderful lady for a teacher. She is the most kind, loving and patient person. During the first two months, I did everything myself, teaching, cleaning and running the school. God sent me a wonderful lady for a teacher. She is the most kind, loving and patient person. It has been hard not earning a salary because my family had to make many cuts and I cannot support as I should and want to. However, they believe and trust in the bigger picture with me.