Unica School

Unica School is a public school in Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa. It offers specialized education for learners with Autism Spectrum disorders. There are just over 100 pupils in Unica School who come from five of the 9 provinces in South Africa as well as Lesotho. There is a boarding house available during school terms where mostly weekly boarders live. Some learners go the the hostel for one or more days a week, while others just go for afternoon programmes. Autism Spectrum Disorders is a complex disability which affects the development of communication, social interaction, imagination and flexible thought processes. It impacts on four times more boys than girls. ASD manifests in the following symptoms: • Problematic development of language and especially communication. • Inappropriate social behaviour and difficulty in initiating and maintaining social relationships. • Fixated interest in certain topics, objects and/or behaviour patterns. • Resistance towards change. • Sensory difficulties Because no two individuals with autism are the same, it is imperative that specialised, structured individualised educational programmes are followed to ensure that each individual develops to his/her full potential.