As a species, we humans tend to fear what we don’t know or understand, and so although Cerebral Palsy (CP) is one of the most common motor disabilities in children, it remains largely misunderstood by many. If we simply look at the disorder name: Cerebral – something that involves the brain Palsy – a weakness …

Identifying and understanding Cerebral Palsy in young children Read More »

Sunshine Association has been giving hope to children with disabilities, and to their families, since 1976. We started with just six children – a band of mothers who joined hands to help each other face the uncertainty of raising children with special needs. 45 years later, the initiative has grown to accommodate 150 children with …

45 Years of Smiles – Celebrate with Sunshine this Spring Read More »

Boosting your child’s immune system is essential for helping their bodies fight illnesses like colds and flu, but also for protection against the coronavirus. One of the best ways to do this is including affordable ingredients and superfoods in their diet. Oranges Oranges are loaded with vitamin C and also contain phytonutrients that have strong …

Affordable, immune-boosting foods for your child Read More »

Basic life skills are fundamental for living at least a semi-independent life. The lockdown period presents the opportunity for parents to spend more time developing basic skills such as washing hands, brushing teeth and making a sandwich with their children. Children with developmental delays learn differently from typical children because they may have sensory or …

Developing basic life skills during lockdown Read More »

Caring for children with special needs is very hands-on, which makes practicing social distancing difficult for caregivers and parents. With many schools being closed, here’s how you can reduce your child’s risk of contracting the coronavirus (COVID-19). COVID-19 spreads very quickly through: The air, after coughing or sneezing Close personal contact, such as when shaking …

Covid-19: All you need to know about caring for your child with special needs Read More »

Parents or guardians can become overwhelmed or disillusioned when faced with challenges in their child’s behavioural development. Here are a few care guidelines that can help benefit both parent and child. Make time for family bonding A busy lifestyle might determine the time spent together as a family, but it is essential for parents of …

Caring for children with special needs Read More »

Cerebral palsy (CP) is the leading cause of physical disability in childhood worldwide, while it is estimated that over 17 million people around the world are affected. What is it? CP is the term used to describe a group of conditions that affect movement, balance or posture, which is caused by damage to parts of …

Five things to know about cerebral palsy Read More »

At some point in your child’s schooling career, they’ll have a classmate with a disability. While physical disabilities are obvious to children, it’s the less apparent impairments or disabilities that make things a challenge when explaining to your child why their class mate may seem a little different. Much about how our children treat their …

6 WAYS TO TEACH YOUR CHILD ABOUT PEERS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS Read More »

Morena Sehloboko is our Sunshine Superstar of the month. His is a tale of triumph  – and we are so proud of him!

Our Sunshine Superstar of the week has just turned six Last year we wrote about Lwandle Nkosi, a young boy with cerebral palsy. He started at our Elsburg Early Intervention Centre on the 4th of May 2016, and after being assessed by our therapists, he was placed in the Stimulation Class. This class is for …

Lwandle’s perseverance pays off Read More »