Barnswallows Swift Academy

Therapeutic academy for children with special needs

Swift Academy is a project of Barnswallows NPO. We started our journey as a Home for Abandoned babies and have been instrumental in the placement of more than 40 abandoned babies over the years. As we nurtured these little ones into health, we realised that good nourishment and a clean environment are vital for optimal development.

This led to the opening of Swift Academy as a therapy Centre on the West Rand, as part of a sub-urban home. We had a small group of children with special needs on the premises for a few years, after which we decided to take the leap and open a new Centre, Swift Academy for Autism and special needs in Linden, Randburg, in January 2021 at independent premises.

Our aim is to have small groups of 5-6 children while also providing temporary overnight stay for these or other children to relieve the parents of their overwhelming burden of caring for their children 24/7. This will expand as the need arise into a respite centre for special needs.

Main focus & interventions

Dietary interventions:
At Swift Academy our starting point is dietary interventions We realize that a child with health issues is uncomfortable most of the time and might find it difficult to concentrate and function in any setting if they do not feel 100%.

By doing a SCIO biofeedback assessment, we can see exactly where the imbalances are in the body, i.e. sensitivities, allergies, gut health, toxins, parasites and more. This is usually followed up with Hyperbaric oxygen therapy at the Centre.

Recommendations re diet are made and a dietary plan developed to guide parents into a new way of eating. The whole family is involved to make sure the child finds the transition as gradual and gentle as possible. Specific supplements are recommended and provided to complement the diet and lifestyle plan.
Children are matched to fit in as best possible into a group of 5-6 preschoolers. A child has to go through the assessment and diet intervention before enrollment to make sure we have done our best to calm him before placement in the school setting, and to place children who are compatible, in the same group.

Green facility

Swift Academy is a ‘green’ facility, where we limit the use of toxins, colorants, flavourants and cleaning materials that can be harmful. We recommend that parents/caregivers abide by these regulations at home as well. No deodorants/perfumes, etc are used on the property to limit further exposure to environmental toxins.

Classroom activities & aims

• Flexibility through variety
• Free play vs focused attention
• Sensory room activities
• Swings
• Library
• Connection with like-minded occupational therapists, chiropractors, ADHD specialists, neurofeedback specialists, etc to enhance development and learning.

Swift is a Christian facility based on Biblical principles, and follows a flexible curriculum, by Sally Lloyd Jones. This is adjusted to the unique needs and development of each child.

Connect with us on rene@barnswallows.org/justhealth@barnswallows.org.
Contact us directly on 0828519386 (René Testa: Director)