Teaching Special Needs Children

The Sonstraal School for the Mentally Handicapped started as a school for mentally handicapped children, but later also accepted children with special needs. Although the Audiblox programs available on this website are not suitable for mentally handicapped children (IQs of 70 or lower), and the Audiblox application for mentally handicapped children is not part of the Audiblox training courses for teachers, improving the quality of life of these children was part of the Audiblox project for many years. Therefore, they need to be recognised. This is their story, as told by the school principal Santa Lourens in September 2001:

“In September 1997 the Sonstraal School for the Mentally Handicapped was founded. At this stage there were no proper facilities for mentally handicapped children in Nylstroom or its surroundings. The existing facilities also did not offer much help. The children made no progress in the areas of reading and learning, and it became clear that other solutions had to be found.

“By accident our school heard of Dr. Jan Strydom and his Audiblox program. On a small scale, we started training the children on this program. It soon became clear that Audiblox offered a solution for mentally handicapped children.

“With abundant love, prayers and community support this school has grown to a facility which today offers individual and special training to 17 children. Without this training these children would not have had the right to a quality of life, that every child is entitled to.

“Unfortunately, the school is not yet nearly big enough to cater for the need in the area. There are still many special needs children and mentally handicapped children in the area, but due to financial constraints the school has no choice but to refuse them. The school also does not have boarding facilities, which means that children from neighbouring areas unfortunately cannot be accepted into the school.

“All the learners from the school follow the Audiblox program, some to a lesser extent than others, while schoolwork is attended to according to the Brainline system. Obviously, the spiritual and emotional development are not left aside. The school also arranges regular outings — at times, it is necessary to take a break and just relax as well.

“Each learner and his or her teacher pay regular follow-up visits to Dr. Strydom in Pretoria, so that their Audiblox program can be adjusted according to the individual needs of the learner. During these visits the teachers are once again equipped to fulfil their special task at hand.

“The children that are currently accommodated in the school, are Dirkie Lourens, Sjanelle Heymans, Riaan Nel, Rynhardt Olivier, André Steyn, Quentin Nelson, Christo Pretorius, Albert Heymans, Danie Jacobs, Quenten Venter, Danie Pretorius, Abrie Lourens, Pierre Burger, Tanya Botha, Christa Pretorius, Mercia Swift and Stephanie Burger. Dirkie is the son of Santa Lourens, who proudly stands at the head of this project.

“The fact that her own son experiences such a severe learning problem also explains the passion with which she tackles all tasks at hand. Quentin Nelson, Christa, Stephanie, Pierre, Abrie and Danie are the newcomers and they are still finding their feet. Mercia, Albert and Quenten Venter have already adapted well to their new circumstances.

“The parents of the various learners have the following to say about the progress their children are making in this unique little school:

Click on their photos to read their stories. Some of these children are mentally handicapped, while others have special needs:

Dirkie Lourens

Riaan Nel

Rynhardt Olivier

André Steyn

Quenten Venter