Our Story
“Goodbye and good luck”. These were the words that rang in the ears of Ilana and Martin Gerschlowitz, a young, newly married couple when they were given their 20 month old son’s autism diagnosis.
Unwilling to accept the hopelessness of an autism prognosis, the couple set out to rescue their son from the fortress surrounding him. Never giving up, Ilana spent every waking moment researching the illness until she found answers. Subsequently, drawing from international experts and finding answers in ABA, she has gone on to help countless children facing learning challenges. When autism struck again, threatening another son’s future, their mission was clear. This was not a fight they were prepared to lose and now armed with years of knowledge their youngest son was able to start primary school along with his peers
When the system failed her son, she built a better one.
Biography
Ilana Gerschlowitz is an autism advocate, educator, parent coach, and founder of The Star Academy for Autism, which has been providing specialised educational services for over 20 years. Originally qualified as an attorney, she left her legal career after her eldest son, David, was diagnosed with autism in 2003. This life-changing experience inspired her to dedicate her career to supporting children with autism and their families.
In 2009, Ilana, hosted the Challenging Children Conference in South Africa, bringing leading international autism experts to the country. The landmark conference helped transform autism awareness, intervention, and educational opportunities for countless South African families.
Her contributions to education and special-needs services have earned widespread recognition. In 2015, she received the CEO Global Award for Africa’s Most Influential Woman in Business and Government in the Education and Training Private Sector for Region, Country and Continent. In 2016, she achieved certification as a Board-Certified Autism Technician (BCAT), and in 2018 she was a finalist in the Europcar Jewish Women in Leadership Awards.
Ilana is the author of Saving My Sons: A Journey with Autism, published in 2019, which chronicles her family’s journey and advocacy efforts. She has been extensively featured in the media for more than a decade.
She is also the Founding Director of Catch-Up Kids (www.catchupkids,co.za), an educational support programme, that assists children with ADHD and learning challenges who are falling behind in the classroom.
Today, Ilana is recognised as a leading expert in autism education and regularly presents at national and international conferences on autism, neurodiversity, and special-needs education.
What started as a mother’s mission is now Africa’s leading autism intervention academy – serving families in South Africa, across Africa, and worldwide.
Book available at nationwide bookstores including:
Our Vision
To help countless children on the African continent and beyond to find their voice and achieve meaningful lives.
Why thousands of families choose Star Academy
20 + years. Africa’s Leader in autism education
Gold Standard ABA
The science of ABA combined with highly individualised developmental curriculum
Giving Back: The Jewel in our crown – The Tembisa Outreach Programme (Established 2015)
The Star Academy runs an outreach programme in Tembisa for children with autism, providing ABA-based intervention to families who could not otherwise access it. A portion of proceeds from Saving My Sons: A Journey with Autism supports this initiative.
Tembisa is an Nguni word meaning ‘promise’ or ‘hope’. The Star Academy’s involvement in this community has brought hope to many families in this community raising children with autism.
View more on our Yellow Cannaries Outreach Programme below.
Book a consultation
What will you gain from a consultation with Ilana Gerschlowitz?
- Expert guidance, practical strategies, and clarity on the next best steps
- Guidance on educational pathways - school readiness, school placement decisions, curriculum support, homeschooling, and school options.
- A deeper understanding of your child’s unique profile — their strengths, challenges, developmental stage and what may be driving their behaviors
- Trusted guidance on which specialists and doctors to consult
- Understand Star Academy’s unique programme, including the comprehensive developmental curriculum and teaching methodology
- Discover how our team becomes your child’s relentless partner in progress.
- Leave with a renewed sense of hope, possibility, and a clear roadmap forward
