School Support
Finding The Right School For Your Child
Every parent dreams of seeing their child in a school uniform, feeling included, accepted and part of a community. For many families, school represents far more than education — it represents belonging, independence and hope for the future.
When parents contact us, they are often searching for an “autism school” or a specialised learning environment that they hope will meet their child’s needs.
One of the most important questions we encourage families to ask is:
“What learning environment will allow my child to truly thrive?”
Assessment to determine school placement
We begin with a comprehensive developmental assessment to understand each child’s strengths, challenges and learning profile. Based on this assessment, we make recommendations for the school environment that will best support meaningful progress.
School collaboration & facilitation
We collaborate with many schools around South Africa and internationally. We will make a recommendation on which school placement will be most beneficial for your child.
It may be best to keep your child in their current school placement and our trained instructors will attend at the school to deliver their developmental curriculum and school facilitation. There are many benefits associated with this school model especially if both parents work and need their child taken care of for the day.
Attending The Star Academy
Some children may not yet be school ready, and can attend one of our academies. Other children have behavioural challenges, sensory dsyregulation and academic gaps that require a tailored school setting. In these circumstances we will manage your child’s developmental curriculum and registered home school curriculum at the academy closest to where you live. If you do not live close to one of our academy’s we can deliver our service online or at home.
Home School
For children who are being homeschooled, we can oversee their curriculum while simultaneously implementing a developmental programme aimed at building the skills needed for future school placement.
Online School for autism
We support children across South Africa, Africa and internationally through personalised online programmes overseen by our experienced South African-based case managers, ensuring continuity, consistency and measurable progress. No matter where you live, we are committed to helping your child realise their academic success.
Curriculum implementation for neurodiverse learners
Parents naturally want their child to socialise and develop friendships. These are important goals. At the same time, successful social relationships often depend on foundational skills such as communication, language, shared attention and social understanding. For some children, these skills need to be intentionally developed before group learning environments become meaningful and enjoyable.
Making friends at school
Parents naturally want their child to socialise and develop friendships. These are important goals. At the same time, successful social relationships often depend on foundational skills such as communication, language, shared attention and social understanding. For some children, these skills need to be intentionally developed before group learning environments become meaningful and enjoyable.
Inclusive education
We actively collaborate with mainstream and remedial schools to support inclusive education. When children have developed the prerequisite skills for classroom participation, we want them learning alongside typically developing peers, modelling strong language, social interaction and appropriate classroom behavior.
How does School facilitation work?
After the initial consultation to understand your child’s background history and unique learning needs, we conduct a developmental assessment to determine your child’s IEP for school. Part of the assessment is to attend at school to establish the reasons your child is struggling to keep up with classroom demands.
Based on this assessment we choose school facilitators best suited to your child. We collaborate with the school team on an ongoing basis and help support the teachers. This multi disciplinary approach helps children close developmental and academic gaps and results in classroom success.
Deciding on the right school placement
Too often, educational systems categorise children into rigid labels such as mainstream, remedial or special needs. We believe children are more than labels. Especially in the early years, there is often an opportunity to develop the skills that help children access a wider range of educational environments over time.
For some children, a classroom is not yet the ideal environment. Behavioural, sensory, communication or developmental challenges may temporarily make alternative approaches more effective. Some children benefit from intensive one-on-one instruction for a period of time. Others are ready for school but require additional support through a star academy facilitator or customised intervention.
Finding the right school environment
Our team provides expert guidance across a range of learning pathways, including:
- Individualised one-on-one developmental programmes addressing academic gaps and skills deficits in all areas of development
- School facilitation and classroom support
- School collaboration and curriculum implementation
- Homeschool curriculum management with developmental intervention
- School readiness programmes
- Behavioural and sensory support
- Inclusive education planning
Next steps to find your child's ideal school placement
Consultation
Developmental Assessment
School & Program Recommendation
Get Started
The Star Academy Centres
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
