Knowledge library
Reviewed pieces for families, learners and teachers. Public submissions stay in draft until a reviewer publishes them. NOVA may only quote published items.
When a child is heading toward a meltdown
Drop the demand. Reduce language to one short sentence. Offer a known regulation tool from the IEDP (quiet corner, walk, chewy, headphones). Do not reason, threaten or pile on choices. After the body is quieter, name one feeling and one next step. Log what worked so the next adult does not start from zero. This is not a diagnosis and it does not replace the clinician on the plan.
Homework that does not blow the evening
CAPS homework at this centre is capped at 20 minutes. Same table, same start cue, visual checklist of three steps. If the first step fails, stop and write one sentence to the teacher. NOVA can unpack a question; it must not complete the work. Families should not invent extra worksheets on a high-load day.
What the 7-point rating means
Level 7 Outstanding 80–100%. Level 6 Meritorious 70–79%. Level 5 Substantial 60–69%. Level 4 Adequate 50–59%. Level 3 Moderate 40–49%. Level 2 Elementary 30–39%. Level 1 Not achieved 0–29%. Promotion conversations start when a learner sits at Level 1 or 2 in a home language or Mathematics after support.
Concrete to symbolic in Mathematics
Start with objects the learner can move. Then drawings. Then number sentences. Do not skip the middle step because the clock is tight. Reduced-load papers cut the number of items, not the concept. Extra time is an access arrangement, not a favour.
Intermediate Phase weighting
School-based assessment 80% and end-of-year examination 20% in Intermediate Phase Mathematics. Senior Phase moves toward a larger examination share. Record the task type (assignment, investigation, project, test) so moderation can see the Programme of Assessment, not a pile of marks.
Low-arousal first response
Side-on stance, quiet voice, one person talking, no sudden touch. Sensory tools only if they are already on the IEDP. Aftercare is water, reduced language and a return-to-class plan that is written, not hoped for.
Published starting points (external)
Department of Basic Education · WCED · Autism South Africa · Autism Western Cape · National Autistic Society guidance · Toolkits (use with local IEDP, not instead of it)