BOOKS AND BANGALORE

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Always Unique Totally Interesting Sometimes Mysterious



Autism is about having a pure heart and being very sensitive…It is about finding a way to survive in an overwhelming,confusing world…It is about developing differently,in a different pace and with different leaps.
-Trisha Van Berkel-

Autism is a pervasive development disorder with impaired social and interpersonal interaction, verbal and non verbal communication,mental retardation,decreased physical growth and restricted repertoire of activities of interest.There is no clear cause or mechanism for this disorder.The symptoms and signs range from mild to severe and also they are difficult to identify.They usually appear in the first three years of life.One in one hunderd and fifty children is born with autism,so it isn’t as rare as we think of it.

Autistic kids have disturbed communicating abilities,stereotyped behavior,repetitive movements,instable mood,lack of emotional contact with others,sameness with routine,major learning difficulties but high levels of visio-spatial skills.These children are gifted with special talents,it is just that they need an extra amount of care and attention to nurture them.

Parents may notice that the child’s reactions are different from what is normally expected.It hurts to see their kids refusing to play or smile.They suffer with the same silence as them.At first it is difficult to accept that their child has autism.Although there is no perfect cure,the truth is this disorder can be faced.Treatment is a step by step process,what it demands is patience.Parents and the therapist will have to work to improve and give a quality of life that their child actually deserves.

Innumerable advancements have been made in the field of medicine.Drugs,machines,awareness days,fund raising campaigns,talk shows,posters,newspaper articles and the mother of all-‘Internet’.Every possible information is now available at our finger tips.What we must understand is that only awareness will not do.We have a long way to go when it comes to actions.

World Autism Awareness Day-April 2nd

If we look at it from close,the real hitch that stops us is something else.It is the mindset of we the general population.In a country were mental health is still to see the light of the day,problems like these are highly misunderstood and under treated.Visiting a psychiatrist is often considered unfortunate and unacceptable.These notions should change.These kids are not impossible to look after,it is we who refuse to walk with them that one step forward.Living with autism is not a disaster,doing nothing about it is.And what we are doing for these kids is simply not enough.

Today is World Autism Awareness Day and this whole month of April is dedicated to these wonderful kids out there.This post of mine is for them.To know more visit:

Hope this song touches all hearts!
Good day to you all..

-R.

9 comments:

Leks said...

:) I agree..totally interesting they are..and amazing enthusiasm I' ve seen in them. True to the word, the mindset is what pushes us back. It goes with every type of 'disability' as it's called..( I dont prefer the word) wherever a child is different. I personally was so uncomfortable when I became a scribe for a visually challenged child and it took me three complete days to soften up and embrace him..I love your post Raksha! It is JUST the one people need to read and open up to..!

Anto said...

Wonderful post Raksha, our society has to change its mindset to tackle autism in the first place. Parents do play an important role in identifying the indifference early, for that spreading awareness is must.

Raghavendra Mutt said...

Never knew it.. Thnx 4 bringing it to notice..:-)

Raksha Bhat said...

@Leks: Thanks for reading Leks and sharing your thoughts:)

@Anto: Yes it is a must,but of the right kind.Thank you Anto for being here:)

@Raghu: Welcome!

Anonymous said...

everytime, i read these posts i admire the zeal u have put into it. thanks for making a positive difference to our lives

Beyond Horizon said...

They are innocent, unique and MOST SPECIAL!

R...Hats off to you again for the post, creating awareness and remembering them!

Raksha Bhat said...

@confusedyuppie: Touched!I believe writing in any form is an effort,a passion to spread something that you want the world to know and am glad am doing it:)Thanks for the appreciation:)

@Beyond Horizon: Thanks Poo!

Autism Signs In Children said...

Very Informative Article! Hope to read more from you!


Cheers!

Chandru Angiya said...

Love!