Mikayla House

13/08/2025

We’ve been quiet since 2017. That ends today.

We’re back, and we’re building something South Africa has never seen before.

It’s called Mikayla House. A boutique, 5-star safe haven in Cape Town for autistic women and women with mental disabilities. Inspired by my sister, driven by the knowledge that right now… there’s almost nowhere for women like her to live with dignity and opportunity.

This is not an institution. This is a home. A place to belong

27/02/2017

Never underestimate an autistic person. Often, our minds cannot comprehend their unique capabilities.

https://www.facebook.com/inspiremoreofficial/videos/1281964401895642/?hc_ref=NEWSFEED

30/01/2017

Good day lovely people of Facebook,

We have some brilliant news to start 2017 on a high note: the Mikayla House website has officially launched! This wouldn’t have been possible without Schoolbiz and Bianca Martignone, and all of us at Mikayla House extend our sincerest thanks to them.

Mikayla House’s vision is to meet the urgent need in South Africa for care homes catering to adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). We aim to be a place of comfort for those with ASD and their families, as well as creating awareness around and fighting stigma against ASD. Many parents of children with ASD in South Africa are anxious about the lack of facilities available to their children once they leave school, with primary concerns including, “While I am at work, who will look after my child once they have finished school? How can I be sure that they will have their needs met and be adequately cared for, stimulated, and nurtured? Where will my child stay when I am too old to care for them?” Mikayla House intends to bridge this gap through the establishment of a safe haven for people with ASD.

We are currently laying the foundations to realise our vision of offering extensive support to people with ASD and their families. At this stage, we are looking to collaborate with organisations and individuals alike who are willing to invest in this initiative through various means. We are therefore appealing to you to please consider making a small donation towards Mikayla House, which will be a direct investment into changing the lives of people with ASD. In addition to this, we intend to build a team of passionate staff and volunteers who have the same desire to see adults with ASD grow and flourish through nuturing their unique capabilities. We are excited to build partnerships as we enter this phase of growth, so please feel free to contact us if this project speaks to you and you are interested in or have ideas for getting involved in any area, either in an individual capacity or as an organisation.

Please check out our new website and support us by sharing the Mikayla House initiative far and wide.

Many thanks,
Mikayla House team

http://mikaylahouse.co.za/

27/01/2017

Schoolbiz have now helped raise R100 000 for schools, sports clubs, and charities across South Africa.Their goal for 2017 is R1000 000!

We are so looking forward to working with them and for what is in store for 2017. Watch this space!

23/01/2017

http://stabmag.com/news/32-year-old-jordan-bartholomew-dies-surfing-the-outer-banks/

"This is what I do to stay healthy and sane - my therapy."

17/01/2017

Repost from Geek Club Books of the highly complex characteristics of a person with Autism.
| Published by the National Autism Association

27/10/2016

Hey everybody,

Apologies for being rather quiet as of recent. We have been really busy. Doing a lot of research, attending meetings and planning. Will be making a few awesome announcements soon! Keep your eyes on this page and email us if you have any inquiries about the project.

Best regards,
Mikayla House team

26/09/2016

If you missed the radio interview we did today on CapeTalk with Pippa Hudson and Candy Voss from Autism Western Cape, you can hear it via the link below. They also did a really great write up on the project! Thanks so much for having us Pippa Hudson.

http://www.capetalk.co.za/articles/77409/wc-family-determined-to-build-a-safe-haven-for-adults-with-autism?utm_content=buffere66f7&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Mother and son team up to create Mikayla House, a residential home for adults with autism, which they've dedicated to a loved one.

26/09/2016

Catch me live today on CapeTalk on the New Beginnings show at 14:00. I will be chatting to Pippa Hudson about the story behind Mikayla House, the Vision and what we have planned. Joining me in the interview will be Candice from Autism Western Cape to give some expert knowledge and insights on Autism Spectrum Disorder. Tune in to 567 Cape Talk or stream it live via the link below.

Many thanks,
Rowan

http://streema.com/radios/Cape_Talk

Your No. 1 News and Talk Station

25/09/2016

Excellent news from the Mikayla House team. We featured in Geek Club Books, a massive online blog based in the US that has affiliations with The Huffington Post, Edutopia and the The Mercury News. Their focus is Autism Story telling. We are extremely proud and thankful to have featured. Here's what they had to say about Mikayla House.

Written by Rowan Nelsen & edited by Jodi Murphy.

http://geekclubbooks.com/2016/09/dream-for-safe-haven-home-for-autistic/

Adults with autism in South Africa deserve better futures. One family won't stop until "Makalya's House" a safe, nurturing home for ASD adults is built.

22/09/2016

We are proud to announce that Schoolbiz will be assisting us with the formation of our foundation and online fundraising for the cause.

16/09/2016

We have taken the daunting task upon ourselves (myself and my mother) to open up a home for Autistic Adults (primarily females) to stay and be looked after in a luxury/boutique manner. A place that would be considered a "safe haven" for these people who are highly misunderstood.

This place would be located in the Southern Suburbs. It is going to be called Mikayla House.

We are now in the phase of Marketing Mikayla House, doing a bit of market research and basically just getting the word out there of this project. So, essentially we would like to start a conversation and gauge the interest of our target market - being these parents. See how many people are demanding this home care. See who would like to get involved. Seek sponsorship etc.

So please like and share the page and try and get the word out of Mikayla House 

Many thanks and kind regards,
Row

The Dream Tree School for Children with Autism Autism Western Cape Autism Awareness Autism Alpha School Learners with Autism Autism Mothers AutismTalk AutismAwareness.com Ernie Els The Ernie Els Centre for Autism South Africa