Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
Categories
UFS News Media Release Research
Years
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Months
February March April May June July August September October November December
Previous Archive
03 April 2019 | Story Xolisa Mnukwa
autism
Research shows that early intervention leads to positive outcomes later in life for people with autism.

Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), can be defined as a complex neurobehavioural condition which causes problems with language and communication skills. It also causes a person to have repetitive and rigid behaviour. Autism is characterised by a range of symptoms. World Autism Awareness Day 2019 concentrated effort on spreading awareness about the condition, and trying to break social, environmental, and psychological barriers that hampers autistic people.

The University of the Free State (UFS) Center for Universal Access and Disability Support (CUADS) supports students with ASD by providing them with an alternative assessment venue instead of writing together with other students. CUADS has sound-proof cubicles for the purpose of studying, as well as amanuensis services for writing tests and examinations. This enables the student to settle into a quiet environment without any disturbance, in order to minimise anxiety. The department also actively pursues building relationships between students and lecturers at the UFS to open up communication, which enables optimum support to the student by both the lecturers and CUADS.

There are many subtypes of autism, such as autistic disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, Asperger's syndrome, and pervasive developmental disorder. These conditions are mostly influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Due to autism being a spectrum disorder, each person suffering from the condition has a distinct set of strengths and challenges. The ways in which people with autism learn, think, and solves problems can range from highly skilled to severely challenged. Some people with ASD may require significant support in their daily lives, while others may need less support, and in some cases, live entirely independently.


 

News Archive

UFS centenary reaches a peak
2004-10-04

The University of the Free State’s (UFS) centenary celebrations will reach a peak next week when various functions will be presented on campus.

On Tuesday 12 October 2004 the Centenary Complex, the new prestige entertainment venue of the UFS, will be officially opened. The complex is situated on the terrain of the old Reitz dining hall and will be utilised as reception and socialising area for UFS management, staff and alumni. The DF Malherbe House forms part of this complex.

The festivities will continue the next day ( Wednesday 13 October 2004) with the premiere of a documentary programme – commissioned by the UFS as part of its centenary celebrations - about the life and legacy of King Moshoeshoe, the Basotho leader of the nineteenth century. The documentary will focus on his role in reconciliation, nation-building and bringing about peace in this region. The producer of this insightful work is the well-known journalist Mr Max du Preez. The documentary will be screened on SABC 2 later this year.

On Thursday 14 October 2004 a special honorary doctorate graduation ceremony will take place in front of the UFS’s main building. During this event 12 honorary doctorates will be awarded to a diverse group of outstanding South Africans and international experts.

The honorary doctorates will be awarded to: Me Antjie Krog, Prof Jakes Gerwel, Mr Karel Schoeman, Dr Frederick van Zyl Slabbert, Prof Saleem Badat, Dr Khotso Mokhele, Prof Robert Bringle, Prof Leo Quayle, Prof Jack de Wet, Prof Kerneels Nel (postuum), Prof Boelie Wessels and Prof Jaap Steyn.

This group of honorary doctorates is the last in a total of 18 which will be honored during the UFS centenary year.

The next day, Friday 15 October 2004 , more than 100 centenary medals will be awarded to current staff, former staff and alumni.

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel: (051) 401-2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za
5 October 2004

Economic and Management Sciences

Education

Health Sciences

The Humanities

Law

Natural and Agricultural Sciences

Theology and Religion

Open Distance Learning

Business School

We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful. To better understand how they are used, read more about the UFS cookie policy. By continuing to use this site you are giving us your consent to do this.

Accept