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Surf Therapy Supporting Children Living on the Autism Spectrum
Photographer: Nic Bothma
'Waves for Change' is an organization that uses surfing as a form of therapy to help children who are on the autism spectrum. One out of every 59 children globally are diagnosed with some form of autism, and those affected often suffer from social anxiety and isolation.
The organization aims to provide a safe, inclusive space for these children away from school and their homes by having them join an inclusive and accepting community where they are taught coping skills, such as meditation and breathing techniques that help them emotionally regulate and reduce their social anxiety.
By assessing each child's ability and level of comfort, the coaches introduce them to the ocean and surfing. The weekly sessions are centered around fun, social interaction, a sense of belonging and access to a supportive mentor. In a gentle and non-judgmental way, the children learn to integrate into wider society, reducing levels of isolation.
Waves for Change provides a safe space, caring adults, a new and challenging task and skills to cope as well as manage their behavior and emotions. This helps reduce isolation and allows the children to be celebrated for who they are.
A boy living on the Autism spectrum interacts with his reflection in a microwave oven in the kitchen of his home in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, South Africa, 01 September 2019. Waves for Change is an organisation that uses surfing as a form of therapy to help children who are on the autism spectrum. One out of every 59 children globally are diagnosed with some form of autism, and those affected often suffer from social anxiety and isolation. EPA-EFE/NIC BOTHMA
A boy living on the Autism spectrum plays outside his home in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, South Africa, 01 September 2019. Waves for Change is an organisation that uses surfing as a form of therapy to help children who are on the autism spectrum. One out of every 59 children globally are diagnosed with some form of autism, and those affected often suffer from social anxiety and isolation. EPA-EFE/NIC BOTHMA
A boy living on the Autism spectrum boils water to make tea in the kitchen of his home in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, South Africa, 01 September 2019. Waves for Change is an organisation that uses surfing as a form of therapy to help children who are on the autism spectrum. One out of every 59 children globally are diagnosed with some form of autism, and those affected often suffer from social anxiety and isolation. EPA-EFE/NIC BOTHMA
A boy living on the Autism spectrum hugs his mother in his home in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, South Africa, 01 September 2019. Waves for Change is an organisation that uses surfing as a form of therapy to help children who are on the autism spectrum. One out of every 59 children globally are diagnosed with some form of autism, and those affected often suffer from social anxiety and isolation. EPA-EFE/NIC BOTHMA
A boy living on the Autism spectrum prepares tea in the kitchen of his home in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, South Africa, 01 September 2019. Waves for Change is an organisation that uses surfing as a form of therapy to help children who are on the autism spectrum. One out of every 59 children globally are diagnosed with some form of autism, and those affected often suffer from social anxiety and isolation. EPA-EFE/NIC BOTHMA
A boy living on the Autism spectrum looks out the window of his home in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, South Africa, 01 September 2019. Waves for Change is an organisation that uses surfing as a form of therapy to help children who are on the autism spectrum. One out of every 59 children globally are diagnosed with some form of autism, and those affected often suffer from social anxiety and isolation. EPA-EFE/NIC BOTHMA
A boy living on the Autism spectrum stands in class at the Autism unit of Noluthando school in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, South Africa, 31 May 2019. Waves for Change is an organisation that uses surfing as a form of therapy to help children who are on the autism spectrum. One out of every 59 children globally are diagnosed with some form of autism, and those affected often suffer from social anxiety and isolation. EPA-EFE/NIC BOTHMA
Boys living on the Autism spectrum work in class as one interacts with their teacher at the Autism unit of Noluthando school in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, South Africa, 31 May 2019. Waves for Change is an organisation that uses surfing as a form of therapy to help children who are on the autism spectrum. One out of every 59 children globally are diagnosed with some form of autism, and those affected often suffer from social anxiety and isolation. EPA-EFE/NIC BOTHMA
A boy living on the Autism spectrum holds his hand over his ear to reduce noise as he sits in the corner of a class at the Autism unit of Noluthando school in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, South Africa, 31 May 2019. Waves for Change is an organisation that uses surfing as a form of therapy to help children who are on the autism spectrum. One out of every 59 children globally are diagnosed with some form of autism, and those affected often suffer from social anxiety and isolation. EPA-EFE/NIC BOTHMA
A boy living on the Autism spectrum holds his hands over his ears to reduce noise during break time at the Autism unit of Noluthando school in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, South Africa, 31 May 2019. Waves for Change is an organisation that uses surfing as a form of therapy to help children who are on the autism spectrum. One out of every 59 children globally are diagnosed with some form of autism, and those affected often suffer from social anxiety and isolation. EPA-EFE/NIC BOTHMA
Waves For Change surf coaches teach children living on the Autism spectrum coping skills such as meditation and breathing techniques that help them emotionally regulate during a session at Muizenberg beach, Cape Town, South Africa, 29 March 2019. Waves for Change is an organisation that uses surfing as a form of therapy to help children who are on the autism spectrum. One out of every 59 children globally are diagnosed with some form of autism, and those affected often suffer from social anxiety and isolation. EPA-EFE/NIC BOTHMA
A Waves For Change surf coach (R) teaches a child living on the Autism spectrum how to surf during a session at Muizenberg beach, Cape Town, South Africa, 29 March 2019. Waves for Change is an organisation that uses surfing as a form of therapy to help children who are on the autism spectrum. One out of every 59 children globally are diagnosed with some form of autism, and those affected often suffer from social anxiety and isolation. EPA-EFE/NIC BOTHMA
A Waves For Change surf coach (L) guides a child living on the Autism spectrum in the waves during a session at Muizenberg beach, Cape Town, South Africa, 03 June 2019. Waves for Change is an organisation that uses surfing as a form of therapy to help children who are on the autism spectrum. One out of every 59 children globally are diagnosed with some form of autism, and those affected often suffer from social anxiety and isolation. EPA-EFE/NIC BOTHMA
A girl living on the Autism spectrum looks out the window of her home whilst eating breakfast in Mitchells Plain, Cape Town, South Africa, 17 August 2019. Waves for Change is an organisation that uses surfing as a form of therapy to help children who are on the autism spectrum. One out of every 59 children globally are diagnosed with some form of autism, and those affected often suffer from social anxiety and isolation. EPA-EFE/NIC BOTHMA
A girl living on the Autism spectrum plays outside her home in Mitchells Plain, Cape Town, South Africa, 17 August 2019. Waves for Change is an organisation that uses surfing as a form of therapy to help children who are on the autism spectrum. One out of every 59 children globally are diagnosed with some form of autism, and those affected often suffer from social anxiety and isolation. EPA-EFE/NIC BOTHMA
A girl living on the Autism spectrum speaks to her father in her home in in Mitchells Plain, Cape Town, South Africa, 17 August 2019. Waves for Change is an organisation that uses surfing as a form of therapy to help children who are on the autism spectrum. One out of every 59 children globally are diagnosed with some form of autism, and those affected often suffer from social anxiety and isolation. EPA-EFE/NIC BOTHMA
Girls living on the Autism spectrum work in class at the Autism unit of Beacon school in Mitchells Plain, Cape Town, South Africa, 10 May 2019. Waves for Change is an organisation that uses surfing as a form of therapy to help children who are on the autism spectrum. One out of every 59 children globally are diagnosed with some form of autism, and those affected often suffer from social anxiety and isolation. EPA-EFE/NIC BOTHMA
A girl living on the Autism spectrum is taught about growing vegetables by her teacher (L) at the Autism unit of Beacon school in Mitchells Plain, Cape Town, South Africa, 10 May 2019. Waves for Change is an organisation that uses surfing as a form of therapy to help children who are on the autism spectrum. One out of every 59 children globally are diagnosed with some form of autism, and those affected often suffer from social anxiety and isolation. EPA-EFE/NIC BOTHMA
Children living on the Autism spectrum interact in a special sensory room designed to help children on the Autism spectrum at the Autism unit of Beacon school in Mitchells Plain, Cape Town, South Africa, 10 May 2019. Waves for Change is an organisation that uses surfing as a form of therapy to help children who are on the autism spectrum. One out of every 59 children globally are diagnosed with some form of autism, and those affected often suffer from social anxiety and isolation. EPA-EFE/NIC BOTHMA
A girl living on the Autism spectrum interacts in a special sensory room designed to help children on the Autism spectrum at the Autism unit of Beacon school in Mitchells Plain, Cape Town, South Africa, 10 May 2019. Waves for Change is an organisation that uses surfing as a form of therapy to help children who are on the autism spectrum. One out of every 59 children globally are diagnosed with some form of autism, and those affected often suffer from social anxiety and isolation. EPA-EFE/NIC BOTHMA
A boy living on the Autism spectrum immerses himself in a bath filled with coloured plastic balls in a special sensory room designed to help children on the Autism spectrum at the Autism unit of Beacon school in Mitchells Plain, Cape Town, South Africa, 10 May 2019. Waves for Change is an organisation that uses surfing as a form of therapy to help children who are on the autism spectrum. One out of every 59 children globally are diagnosed with some form of autism, and those affected often suffer from social anxiety and isolation. EPA-EFE/NIC BOTHMA
Children living on the Autism spectrum interact in a special sensory room designed to help children on the Autism spectrum at the Autism unit of Beacon school in Mitchells Plain, Cape Town, South Africa, 10 May 2019. Waves for Change is an organisation that uses surfing as a form of therapy to help children who are on the autism spectrum. One out of every 59 children globally are diagnosed with some form of autism, and those affected often suffer from social anxiety and isolation. EPA-EFE/NIC BOTHMA
A Waves For Change surf coach (C) teaches children living on the Autism spectrum how to surf at Muizenberg beach, Cape Town, South Africa, 27 May 2019. Waves for Change is an organisation that uses surfing as a form of therapy to help children who are on the autism spectrum. One out of every 59 children globally are diagnosed with some form of autism, and those affected often suffer from social anxiety and isolation. EPA-EFE/NIC BOTHMA
A Waves For Change surf coach (C) teaches children living on the Autism spectrum how to surf at Muizenberg beach, Cape Town, South Africa, 27 May 2019. Waves for Change is an organisation that uses surfing as a form of therapy to help children who are on the autism spectrum. One out of every 59 children globally are diagnosed with some form of autism, and those affected often suffer from social anxiety and isolation. EPA-EFE/NIC BOTHMA
A child living on the Autism spectrum rides a wave in the ocean at Muizenberg beach, Cape Town, South Africa, 03 June 2019. Waves for Change is an organisation that uses surfing as a form of therapy to help children who are on the autism spectrum. One out of every 59 children globally are diagnosed with some form of autism, and those affected often suffer from social anxiety and isolation. EPA-EFE/NIC BOTHMA