THE STIMULATION / EDUCATION CENTRE AT THE AVRIL ELIZABETH HOME

The Stimulation/Education Centre is the essential "heart of the Home" and is the education and training centre for intellectually disabled persons, some with added physical disabilities. The Centre caters for different ages and accommodates various degrees of disabilities. Our ultimate aim is to promote growth and independence to the best of each one's ability, aiding and guiding them to carry out simple, but necessary tasks such as activities of daily living (ADL), which include feeding, dressing, toilet skills as well as social skills, thereby promoting interaction with others to enhance a sense of belonging.

Sensory development is of vital importance. This consists of visual (i.e. sight : bright colours/shapes), auditory (i.e. sound/music), taste, smell and tactile (touch : many disabled persons are tactile defensive and we need to introduce different textures). These senses are incorporated in almost all activities we do and a great deal of emphasis is placed in these areas.

We encourage gross motor skills which could be as simple as kicking a ball or jumping, to fine motor skills, such as holding a crayon to draw, all of which come naturally to us but are taken for granted by most people.

Passive movement is of vital importance and, in some sections of the Home, is done on a daily basis in order to keep residents comfortable and to prevent contractions (stiffening of the limbs).

Most programs are based on a basic pre-primary curriculum, covering numbers, shapes, colours, counting, drawing, colouring-in painting, building puzzles, etc.

In order to manage our classes effectively, we place our residents together according to their level of ability.

The Stimulation / Education Centre consists of eight classrooms which are utilized as follows :

- One classroom each for the juniors, intermediates and adults. The junior and intermediate classes accommodate no more than 10 persons per class and programs are based on the needs within the specific groups, which are made up of a combination of day care attendees and residents.

- Two classrooms where basic activities are carried out for the residents in the Intermediate Girls and Intermediate Boys sections. These residents are severely to profoundly intellectually and physically disabled.

- An auditory/visual room, which is used for sections throughout the Home, where groups are able to watch television (videos) or listen to music.

- A fully equipped Physiotherapy Department, but unfortunately, the Home currently does not have a Physiotherapist. Physiotherapy is vital and beneficial in many areas of development.
In the interim, this room is utilized as a classroom to simulate Adult residents outside their own living area.

- A Therapy Room, which is specially designed and fully equipped for sensory development and play therapy and includes a ballpond. Junior groups gain the most from this classroom, which is categorized into different themes, such as colours, shapes, 'my family, 'the kitchen', etc.

- A library where the adult residents, who are able to read, may collect books.

- A Day Care Facility for day care attendees who are dropped off and collected by their parents on a daily basis.

Apart from the above, the Home is also involved in extra-mural activities, which all promote growth and independence. These include:

- Aerobic classes are held in the mornings.
- Sports and athletics are held days are held where residents compete amongst themselves or against residents from other homes.
- We have an outdoor swimming pool and an indoor hydrotherapy pool, as well as a jacuzzi. During the summer months these are used frequently for both fun and therapeutic reasons.
- Disco's are held on a monthly basis for adult residents and day care attendees.
- A "fun day" is held once a month where everyone can participate in games such as "musical chairs" or "pass the parcel".
- Sewing, knitting, crocheting, rug weaving, fabric painting, embroidery, as well as arts and crafts is also encouraged, as is baking and cooking, all under supervision.
- We are privileged to have been donated a 30-seater bus, which enables us to take residents and day care attendees on trips to the Zoo, Bunny Park, Bokkie Park, Emmarentia Dam, Common Waters and shopping centers. This promotes community interaction and acceptance.
- Some of our adult residents enjoy attending church, which we try to accommodate.

Although we are limited financially, we try to use all the resources available to us. Through our programs, we try our utmost to develop individual goals and interests. Our aim is to encourage each resident to progress to the best of his or her ability.

More photos from the Stimulation Centre