ABOUT US
Learn more about The Star Academy.
The Star Academy has been established for 18 years and we serve families all around the world.
We know that Autism is a global crisis and that ABA therapy is sought after internationally. Its not easy for parents to access the ABA services so we have found a way to offer our high quality ABA services remotely.
Our UK branch is part of a bigger organisation that’s based in South Africa servicing thousands of kids in Africa and around the world. Because of the demand for services coming from the UK we were pulled in that direction and we are now successfully servicing families in the UK. We have a unique model with a world class curriculum that sets our program apart from any other program.
International Certification
Ilana Gerschlowitz
Star Academy Managing Director
Autism expert, parent coach and specialist in Autism treatment. Author of the book “Saving My Sons – a journey with Autism”.
Our Team
Alicia:
I am a case supervisor at The Star Academy. I have completed my education degree at the University of South Africa. Working at The Star Academy has been an amazing experience and teaching our wonderful kids inspires me everyday!
Ananja:
I completed my Honors degree in Social Work in 2016 at The North West University, Potchefstroom Campus. Working at Star has been such an incredible experience. To be able to work with the children is a privilege! I have witnessed how ABA enables them to get back on track. At Star I have learnt how to teach children to communicate appropriately and I have become part of an expert team that works towards enhancing the skills repertoire of each individual child.
Iana:
I am a Case Manager and Supervisor at the Academy. I am responsible to direct the Independent Education Plans of the children assigned to me. I hold a Masters Degree in Education relating to Curriculum and Instruction: Autism Studies, University of Massachusetts Lowell. I am currently completing my course work towards BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) certification. Working at Star Academy for the last 10 years has changed my life and has become my chosen career path. Our team goes the extra mile to ensure that the children receive the best opportunity to develop and acquire skills. Over the last three years I have worked closely with top experts at CARD and have learnt so much about program design and implementation.
Lerato:
I am a Case Supervisor at The Star Academy. I have a degree in Psychology and an honours in Industrial Psychology (2010) both obtained at the University of Johannesburg. I also had the opportunity to sit for the Board Certified Autism Technician exam, and I have have worked with families in South Africa, Ghana, Mauritius, London and now in Kenya. “Seeing a child breaking boundaries, crashing stereotypes, overcoming the “impossible” is just so rewarding. It’s been over 10 years and every morning, I put on my gloves with pride and prepare for another day of winning.”
Carmen:
I am a Case Manager at The Star Academy. My qualifications include a BA in Psychology at TUKS followed by an Honors Degree in Psychology at UNISA. I has the opportunity to sit for Board Certified Autism Technician exam. I found Star Academy as I was searching for options to broaden my Psychology experience. Within the first month of working at Star and with children on the spectrum I knew that I had found my calling. The things I love most about working at Star is learning and working with the diversity of Autism and related disorders and being a part of the amazing and unbelievable results ABA can produce. Witnessing the children’s gains and improvements on a daily basis, no matter how small, is the most fulfilling component.
Desray:
I am a senior instructor at The Star Academy and had the opportunity to sit for the Board Certified Autism Technician exam. I love learning and it will always be a part of my life’s journey. I have an Honours degree in Communication. I’m currently completing my Postgraduate Honours in Psychology and will continue my Psychology journey to benefit the children I work with. Though the above qualifications, what I thrive in is practically teaching kids life skills. I have my boxing gloves on, fighting for the kids. We weather the storms. I stand in their corner and help instil resilience in them. My motto for the kids I work with is to remember “every day and in every way, we are better and better”. Let’s do this!
Nicole Gokul studied her Bachelor of Social Science at the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN) in 2012. She completed her post graduate studies in education and achieved her Post Graduate Certificate in Education from the University of South Africa (UNISA) in 2017. She has 12 years of experience in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) and has received extensive training from The Centre for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) in the USA relating to managing ABA programs for children on the autism spectrum and with related disorders. During her service at The Star Academy, she sat for and achieved her Board certification as an Autism Technician from the Behaviour Intervention Certification Council (BCAT). She enrolled and completed the theory course work towards her Board Certified Assistant Behavioural Analysis (BCaba) at Florida Institute of Technology (FIT) in 2018. She has worked with and programmed for many children on the spectrum and young adults over many years and has been directly involved in helping them to develop age appropriate skills and independence. Nicole has managed many programs of children with autism who have gone on to being included in mainstream schools. She services families both locally around South Africa and in other international countries.
Avisha:
Avisha obtained her degree in Social Science with a Psychology major in 2012 at the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN). She also achieved an Honours Degree in Social Sciences in 2013 from KZN University in South Africa. She has over a decade of experience in the field of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) and has worked with and programmed for many children and teenagers on the autism spectrum. She sat for and achieved the Board Certified Autism Technician credential from the Behavioural Intervention Certification Council (BICC) in 2016. Avisha completed the coursework for the Board Certified Assistant Behavioural Analysis (BCaba) certification at Florida Institute of Technology (FIT) in 2021.She spent time working with a child on the autism spectrum in Zambia and has been working for The Star Academy for 13 years. She manages and programs for many children with autism not only in South African, but also in the UK and Ghana. Avisha has extensive experience in working with children with challenging behaviours and has also directed the programs for many non-verbal autistic children. She is currently based in Durban South Africa where she manages cases and provides support remotely to international parents.
Rebecca:
Rebecca van Wyngaard completed her Bachelor of Arts in Health Sciences and Social Services from the University of South Africa (UNISA) in 2010. She continued her studies at UNISA and completed her honors in Psychology in 2012. She then went on to complete her Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) for intermediate and senior phase in 2013. Rebecca received extensive training from the BCBA's and clinicians at the Centre for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) in the USA to program for children with autism. Rebecca sat for the Board-Certified Autism Technician (BCAT) credential in 2016 with the Behavioural Intervention Certification Council (BICC). She completed the coursework for the Board Certified Assistant Behavioural Analysis (BCaba) at Florida Institute of Technology in 2018. Rebecca has extensive experience in programming for and supervising the implementation of ABA programs for children across the autism spectrum and within a related disorder. Her specialty is programming for teens on the spectrum. She has been working for The Star Academy for 14 years both locally and internationally.
Giving back to the community
The Yellow Canaries of Tembisa
The Star Academy which is a public benefit organisation and a company not for profit has started the Yellow Canaries Outreach Programme to assist children with autism in the Thembisa township. Through our team’s deep commitment, we have trained residents in Tembisa in our Star Academy teaching methodology to uplift the lives of both parents and their children.
Our Mission
It is our mission to reach as many children as possible with treatment for Autism, Asperger’s, ADHD and Oppositional Defiance Disorder. If you are interested in helping us make a difference to children affected by these disorders here are some ways you can get involved:
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Let us walk this journey with you & keep hope alive!