Psychologist Mshengu dedicated to help autistic children thrive

In a world where the complexities of the mind often go unnoticed, the journey of an educational psychologist shines as a beacon of hope and dedication. This is expecially the case for Snenhlanhla Mshengu from Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu-Natal, who was raised predominately by her grandmother while her mother worked overseas. Her early life was shaped by the ethos of giving back, a value deeply instilled by her grandmother.

“I think a lot of how we were raised and the values our grandparents gave to us are what made us all want to go into a sector where we were able to help others in various ways,” she reflects.

With two older sisters in the medical field and a brother in economics, the commitment to service is a family trait. Despite initially considering a career in medicine, she found her calling in psychology, inspired by a friend’s sister who spoke about the rewarding nature of the profession.

Path to psychology

Her journey in psychology was not straightforward. Initially pursuing industrial psychology, she briefly ventured into law before returning to her passion. “I stopped doing law and then took a year off but my mom insisted I continue my education,” she recalls.

This led her to complete her honours in psychology, where she developed a keen interest in assessments. “I really liked learning about assessments during my honours,” she says, a pivotal moment that set her on the path to becoming an educational psychologist.

Her dedication to understanding and supporting children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been a significant focus of her career. Inspired by her honours research supervisor, she researched the experiences of black African parents with children diagnosed with autism.

“I focused on looking at how black people understand autism and what it is,” she explains, highlighting the importance of cultural context psychological assessments.

In her professional practice, she integrates cultural sensitivity with therapeutic interventions, acknowledging that cultural beliefs can influence the perception and treatment of psychological issues.

“It is important to understand those things and work together with the family and their beliefs”, she emphasises. This holistic approach ensures that interventions are respectful and effective, considering the client’s cultural background.

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Making a difference in autistic children’s lives

Working in various settings, including NGOs and hospitals, has given her a broad perspective on the delivery of psychological services. She notes that in some cultural contexts, psychological services are often sought only when issues become severe.

“From my experience, psychological services were only utilised when things were severe enough,” she observes, a trend she has seen both in Africa and abroad.

One of the most rewarding aspects of her career in seeing tangible improvements in her clients’ lives. She recalls a significant moment with a child on the autism spectrum who, after months of social skills training, greeted everyone in the office and asked how they were doing.

“It was a huge milestone for us and made me absolutely excited.”

Her bilingual abilities further enhance her effectiveness, allowing clients to express themselves more fully. “Being able to do it in their home language allows clients to express themselves better,” she notes, particularly in assessments where language can be a barrier to understanding.

Looking ahead, she dreams of opening a centre dedicated to children with ASD, providing not only therapeutic support but also quality education. “I would like to open a centre for children where it’s not just about helping with social skills but also providing quality education,” she envisions, driven by the feedback from parents about the need for such services.

In her message to colleagues, she underscores the importance of collaboration. “It’s important for all of us to work together. I’ve seen amazing results from consistently consulting with others as a team,” she says, highlighting the benefits of a multidisciplinary approach.

Her journey, marked by resilience compassion, and a commitment to service, continues to inspire and make a difference in the lives of many. As she navigates the complexities of educational psychology, her story stands as a powerful reminder of the impact one can have when driven by a genuine desire to help others.