Helping Your Teen Decide on Their FutureAny parent that has been through a matric exam with their child will be able to tell you that it’s a stressful time. Not only do parent and teen have to cope with an enormous workload, but the teen is now also expected to be able to answer the “what are you studying next year?” question posed by friends, family, teachers and everyone else they know.
While some teenagers have been preparing for this day, and know exactly where their life will take them next, many teens have no idea as to what they are supposed to do once they close their school text books for the last time. For these teens, a seemingly innocent question is the source of sleepless nights.
As a parent, you don’t want to see your child suffer – you want to help them; guide them through life’s many obstacles. And while you only mean well, you could very easily stress out your already stressed-out teen even further if the situation isn’t approached in the correct manner.
To help alleviate some of your teen’s worries, and to help them make the best choices for their future, be sure to heed the following advice:
Don’t put any pressure on them
The worst thing you can do right now is to put pressure on your teen to make life-changing choices. The first and foremost reason is that they could resent you for it. They could also decide to not make a decision, simply to spite you. An even worse alternative is that they choose a course in haste, only to regret their decision later. And unless they’re paying their own way, keep in mind that you’ll be the one who would’ve flushed thousands of Rands down the drain should they decide to drop out.
Consider career guidance
Guidance from an outside party won’t only be objective, it might also bring to light career options that neither you nor your teen has ever considered. There are a few options available to you – you could either go to any of South Africa’s universities that offer aptitude tests, or do an aptitude test online.
The alternative would be to sit with your teen to help them decide on their passion; that one thing they excel in and love to do. This might not lead to a career choice, but it will help steer them in the right direction at the very least.
Educate your teen
Have you considered that your teen is simply overwhelmed by the wealth of information at their disposal? Perhaps they are familiar with what a university, business college, university of technology or specialist school is, but they don’t know which one is right for them. Sit them down, find out what they know, then fill in the gaps. Map it out for them, so that the information is presented in bite sizes and easily digestible.
Tell them about their options
Studying isn’t the only option open to school leavers. And even if further studies is your preferred choice, you have to let your teen know there are other options. Being aware of them might be enough to free up your teen’s mind to help him or her decide on a career path.
So what are these options? Volunteering, travelling, interning and working while travelling. Some of these can be done from home; others would require flying the nest. Interning would be most helpful when trying to decide on a career, because it’s basically ‘trying out’ a career.
Whatever you do, remember that this is not your future – it is your teen’s future. It’s their dreams and aspirations. They are the only person who would need to deal with their decision in five or 10 years’ time. So keep it about them; don’t make it about you.
This advice was brought to you by Boston City Campus & Business College.
Parenting Hub is one of South Africa’s largest online lifestyle magazines, targeted toward Parents.
We understand that there are many aspects that encompass a Mother, Father or Child and strive toward providing resources and services that accommodates this.
Our content is aimed to inform and educate families on issues starting from pregnancy through to the challenges of the teen-age years.
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Here’s How Tax Relief for Neurodivergent Kids Actually WorksIf you’re raising a neurodivergent child in South Africa, you’re already doing a lot.
Appointments. School meetings. Forms. “Can you just send that report again?” moments. The daily juggling act of home + school + therapy + life.
So when someone says, “You might be able to claim tax relief,” it can feel like one more admin mountain… right when you’re already running on fumes.
Here’s the good news: tax relief is available, and there’s a real framework designed to give families some breathing room.
The bad news is: it’s not always obvious how it works, and the internet is full of conflicting advice.
This guide will help you understand the basics without spiralling.
Tax relief is available in South Africa
South Africa’s tax system includes support for families who carry additional medical and care costs. The main mechanism is the Additional Medical Expenses Tax Credit (AMTC).
It’s not a cash payout. It’s a tax credit that reduces the amount of normal tax you pay.
For many families, it becomes a crucial “safety valve”, especially when you’re paying for the kind of support your child needs to function well in the real world.
Where neurodiversity fits into the SARS framework
SARS doesn’t have a neat category called “neurodivergence.”
Instead, conditions like Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD, and PDA are considered based on their functional impact, in other words, how much they limit day-to-day life.
For tax purposes, a “disability” is defined as a moderate to severe limitation in a person’s ability to function or perform daily activities (including learning, thinking, communicating).
If your child’s challenges create a moderate to severe limitation that is expected to last more than a year, your family may qualify for tax relief.
If the limitations are considered milder, the condition may fall under what SARS calls a “physical impairment.” (Despite the name, this category isn’t limited to physical conditions and can still apply in some neurodevelopmental contexts.)
Relief may still be available, but often with different thresholds and limits.
The common misunderstanding that trips parents up
One of the biggest myths is:
“If I have the diagnosis, we automatically qualify.”
Not necessarily.
SARS looks at whether the condition remains a significant limitation even after what it calls “maximum correction” (including appropriate therapy, treatment, or medication).
Because every child is different, eligibility is assessed case by case. Two families can have the same diagnosis and still have different outcomes depending on how the condition impacts daily functioning.
Which is frustrating, yes.
But also: it’s why getting clarity early matters.
Why paperwork and medical confirmation matter (even if you hate admin)
The admin requirements can feel like adding weight to an already heavy load.
But they’re also the keys to unlocking tax relief.
A diagnosis label isn’t enough. You need formal medical confirmation from a registered practitioner who is trained to give an opinion on your child’s condition.
The key document is the ITR-DD form (Confirmation of Diagnosis of Disability).
Whether this form is required in your situation can depend on how your child’s needs are classified (which is exactly where many parents get stuck).
Important: you typically don’t submit the form with your annual return, but you must keep it, along with invoices and proof of payments, for at least five years.
SARS often verifies these claims, so having your paperwork organised from the start protects you later.
Think of it like this: a few clicks to save documents today can save you hours of stress later.
You don’t have to figure it all out today
If this feels complex, you’re not meant to decode it alone in between lunchboxes and meltdowns.
So we created a simple starting point for parents:
✅ Download the tax relief cheat sheet at www.dalza.com/tax-relief-cheat-sheet/
A clear summary of what you need to know (and what to gather), without the jargon.
Supporting a neurodivergent child requires enough time, energy, and emotional bandwidth as it is. Tax admin shouldn’t be another thing you have to white-knuckle your way through.
Start with the cheat sheet.
Get the lay of the land.
And take it one step at a time.
👉 Download the free tax relief cheat sheet at www.dalza.com/tax-relief-cheat-sheet/
Disclaimer:
This content is provided for general information purposes only. It is not intended as legal, tax, or financial advice. Tax outcomes depend on individual circumstances, and eligibility for tax relief is assessed by SARS on a case-by-case basis. We recommend consulting a registered tax practitioner or qualified professional before submitting any tax claims
Parenting Hub is one of South Africa’s largest online lifestyle magazines, targeted toward Parents.
We understand that there are many aspects that encompass a Mother, Father or Child and strive toward providing resources and services that accommodates this.
Our content is aimed to inform and educate families on issues starting from pregnancy through to the challenges of the teen-age years.
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Get a second chance at successIf you’ve recently completed Grade 12, you’ll know that your matric results can lead to many exciting opportunities. Your matric certificate can help you get into the university or course of your choice, it looks great on your CV and it can help you ace that job interview by showing that you have the necessary skills to do the job.
But, what if your results were not what you hoped they would be and all these opportunities seem out of reach? You don’t have to be stuck with your less-than-great grades for the rest of your life. You can get a second chance at success.
Impaq, an innovative education solution provider, can help. You can register to redo some of your Grade 12 subjects in order to improve your results. Plus, you don’t have to be an Impaq learner to qualify. If you went to a public or private high school or received your matric certificate through a distance learning provider, you can still apply to redo your matric subjects with Impaq. The only requirement is that you must have had a sitting for the final examination in order to qualify.
Once you’ve applied and been accepted, Impaq will register you with the South African Comprehensive Assessment Institute (SACAI) to ensure that you receive your new (and improved) National Senior Certificate after passing the NSC Examination for the rewritten subjects.
To see if you qualify, send an email to [email protected]. The final cut-off date for registrations is 15 February 2018.
Parenting Hub is one of South Africa’s largest online lifestyle magazines, targeted toward Parents.
We understand that there are many aspects that encompass a Mother, Father or Child and strive toward providing resources and services that accommodates this.
Our content is aimed to inform and educate families on issues starting from pregnancy through to the challenges of the teen-age years.
Latest posts by Parenting Hub
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Post Views: 33,787
