Bongiwe Leepiloe Champions Autism Awareness Through Advocacy and an Empowering Children’s Book

Bongiwe, 31, from Pretoria, is the proud mother of two beautiful children—a boy and a girl. Her firstborn, six-year-old Tlotlego, is autistic. Her journey as a mother to an autistic child has inspired her to become a powerful advocate for inclusion, understanding, and support for families navigating similar paths.

She is also the author of the inspiring children’s book Autism Is My Superpower—a heartfelt story penned to empower children with disabilities by helping them see their uniqueness as a strength. The book also teaches neurotypical children the values of compassion, acceptance, and friendship toward those who are different.

In a candid conversation with Goodwill, Bongiwe opened up about the challenges of raising a child with autism, the importance of building a world where every child is seen, supported, and celebrated, and her podcast, Not a Disability but an Ability, which continues to amplify the voices and stories of the autism community.

What was it like becoming a mother for the first time when you had Tlotlego?

Tlotlego was a planned baby. At 25, I knew I wanted to start a family with my husband. We had a loving home, and everything felt just right. The pregnancy was wonderful, and I was genuinely excited to become a mother—to finally experience the unconditional love I had always heard about. That’s how I became a mom to Tlotlego.

How would you describe Tlotlego’s personality to someone who’s never met him?

He’s a sweet boy. Although he has autism, he’s gentle and calm, quite the opposite of his lively and cheeky little sister.

How has motherhood changed you?

It has changed me in ways I never imagined. I didn’t know it was possible to love someone so deeply and unconditionally- love without limits, pure and true. Feeling and receiving that kind of love has been incredible.

When did you become aware that Tlotlego was on a different developmental path?

I started noticing shortly after he turned two. He had hit his early milestones quickly—walking at age one, talking, rhyming, singing, and reciting the alphabet by age two. But soon after his second birthday, things began to change. That’s when regression started.

Instead of continuing to progress—especially with his speech—he began losing words. Gradually, his vocabulary faded until he was left with only two words: “Mommy” and “Daddy.” That’s when the alarm bells really began to ring. While we were initially reassured by phrases like “boys develop more slowly,” the continued loss of speech only deepened my concern.

What were some of the signs that led to his autism diagnosis?

The signs that led me to seek a diagnosis were mainly related to his speech. He had replaced all his words with a humming sound, which I couldn’t understand. He also paced a lot, walking up and down and spinning without getting dizzy. These behaviours concerned me and made me want to seek early intervention. At the time, I had no knowledge of autism. I only began learning about it as I started doing research before the official diagnosis. I didn’t even know autism existed in our community or how it affected children.

How did you feel when you first received the diagnosis?

How I felt after the diagnosis was shaped by the research I had done. I had dived into Google, searching for his symptoms, and autism kept coming up. But I didn’t really understand what autism was. So when we got the diagnosis, I wanted to fix it—I wanted to cure my son. I bought everything people advertised, and I followed all the recommended remedies that claimed to cure autism.

But as I continued to research and learn more, I began to understand autism better—that it’s lifelong. That’s when the grieving stage started. I felt sad and depressed. I had dreams, plans, and hopes for my child, and suddenly everything changed—the school I imagined, the uniform, the vacations—all of it looked different now.

Was it difficult to find the right resources, support, or even the right diagnosis?

At the beginning, it was difficult to find the right resources and support because I didn’t know anything about autism or where to start. My main concern was my child’s speech, so I began with a speech therapist. That step guided everything that followed.

The speech therapist gave me advice and directed me to the right support, including an occupational therapist. From there, I was eventually introduced to a developmental paediatrician. Walking on this journey with professionals made getting a diagnosis easier. My family was also supportive. While some still don’t fully understand autism, they’re willing to ask questions and include my child in everything, like parties and family events, which means a lot.

What were some of the biggest challenges you faced in the early days?

One of the biggest challenges in raising a child with autism is the financial burden and lack of accessible support. Children on the spectrum often need at least two types of therapy—such as speech and occupational therapy—which must be done regularly. In the public sector, long waiting periods (up to six months) for assessment and therapy are common due to limited specialists. In the private sector, therapy costs start at R500 per session, and consistent treatment can run into thousands of rands monthly. A diagnosis alone can cost over R3,000.

Finding suitable schools is another major issue. Autism is a spectrum, so no two children require the same support. Special needs schools are limited, and public schools often have long waiting lists—children can lose up to three years just waiting for placement. These daily struggles show why government intervention is urgently needed—to build more schools and provide proper support systems for autistic children. Right now, the system is failing them.

How have you adjusted your parenting style to meet Tlotlego’s unique needs?

I’ve adjusted my parenting style by truly listening to my son. Although he is non-verbal, he communicates and expresses himself very well. He lets me know what he wants and doesn’t want — and that’s something I’ve come to appreciate about autistic children: They are honest and direct. There’s no need for guessing or pretending.

So, I let him guide me. I allowed him to show me how to parent him, to advocate for himself, and to be exactly who he is. My goal is for him to grow up confident and proud of his identity as an autistic person.

What kind of therapy or intervention has helped him the most?

Right now, he attends both a speech therapist and an occupational therapist. The speech therapist supports his language development and vocabulary, while the occupational therapist helps him build independence, like learning to dress himself, brush his teeth, tie his shoes, and manage daily routines. These everyday tasks can be challenging for someone with autism, but both therapists have been incredibly helpful and are making a big difference in his progress.

What are some things people often misunderstand about autism?

Autism is often misunderstood. Many people assume a child with autism has a mental disability, is naughty, or even rude. But these assumptions come from a lack of understanding. For example, autistic individuals may struggle with eye contact—not because they’re being disrespectful, but because it’s part of how they experience the world. This misunderstanding is especially common in our country, where awareness and education around autism are still limited.

How does your daughter interact with her brother — has it brought them closer?

They truly love each other. I often feel like just a referee because of the way they play and interact. They’re always together, doing everything side-by-side. He’s protective of his little sister, which made me realise that even though he’s autistic, his natural big brother instinct is strong. She also depends on him, and their bond is incredibly sweet and full of joy.

What would you like to say to other parents who might be going through something similar?

To parents going through something similar, or those who’ve just received an autism diagnosis: It’s okay to feel sad, to cry, and to grieve the expectations you once had. But don’t stay in that space for too long. Rise up, advocate for your child, and be present. Love your child wholeheartedly, including their autism.

We need to shift how we see autism. It’s not a failure. There are many successful people with autism, proving that the condition itself isn’t the issue—our mindset is. Let’s support our children to thrive as they are. Let’s love them, be there for them, and never place limits on their potential.

What does Autism Awareness Month mean to you personally?

Autism Awareness Month means a lot to me. It’s an opportunity to educate, to advocate, and to fight—not just for my child, but for autism itself. I’m grateful that we have a month dedicated to raising awareness, even though there’s still so much more to be done. Progress takes time—Rome wasn’t built in a day—but each step brings us closer to the milestones we need to reach. For me, Autism Awareness Month is a time to celebrate, to reflect, and to keep pushing forward.

What can schools, communities, and brands do better to support autism inclusion?

To foster true inclusion, schools, communities, and brands must start with proper training—especially in schools. Educators need more than textbook knowledge; they need real-life training and, most importantly, passion. It’s not enough to teach for a paycheck—educators must genuinely care, so they can nurture each child’s potential and help them thrive.

Brands also have a long way to go. I haven’t seen many actively advocating for or supporting autistic individuals. Inclusion can’t happen without understanding. That’s why proper training, education, and research are so important. People can’t include what they don’t understand. But once there’s awareness and understanding, inclusion will naturally follow.

What dreams do you have for Tlotlego’s future — and how are you helping him get there?

My dream for my son is for him to see autism not as a limitation, but as his superpower. I want him to thrive and believe he can be anything he wants to be. That’s why I wrote a children’s book called Autism Is My Superpower—to help kids like Tlotlego embrace their uniqueness and see strength in their differences. Children love superheroes, so I used that idea to show that even with a disability, they can still be powerful and capable. Building that belief in himself is the foundation for his future.