Understanding Autism and lending support to the affected

Aditi Panda

On World autism Day, let’s pledge our solidarity to AUTISM and extend our love and support to make them happy and secure.

Bhubaneswar witnessed a very special evening at Idcol Auditorium. The very privileged few, who attended the programme, were left awestruck to see children participate in a ramp walk on the booming song Jalwa. This stunning event was followed by a soothing Yoga practice after which there was a full on dance number by the children. So what’s so great about it, one may ask? The children who performed these feats were afflicted with AUTISM and it was the World Autism Day celebrated by the children of CATCH in collaboration with other partners and government of Odisha.

Autism is a sober, lifetime and disabling condition and devoid of correct support, it can have a deep and at times a devastating effect on individuals and also families. Autism affects each person in a different way and their situation will influence them in different ways. Some people with autism are able to live relatively independent and fulfilling lives.

A few may have to go through add-on learning disabilities and would need a lifetime of professional support. But irrespective of all said and done, each individual with Autism can make a very positive contribution to the lives of those around them.  On a daily basis, life for people with autism can be mystifying, worthless and even upsetting. They may also experience some form of sensory sensitivity or under-sensitivity to simple mundane things like sound, touch, taste, smell, lights or colour.

A brief background on Autism is needed to make our readers understand the hard work, patience, incessant sincere efforts and a litany of instructions from the parents, trainers and caretakers to make this impossible feat possible. It’s easier said than done but after the thundering applause for the spectacular performance, the smiling faces of the proud mommas and teachers said it all. This clearly shows that Autistic Children are slow and sometimes spontaneous but they are like other children who understand love, trust and smile.

Lack of understanding and awareness of autism has an impact not only on them, but also on their families. Sometimes the general public can be openly hostile when faced with a child behaving badly in public before understating the reason of this unusual behaviour and often stare or pass rude comments. In shops, in restaurants or in public transport moving with the children with Autism, many a times parents face lack of understanding and intolerance and  that has to be changed because the child has no control on his/her behaviour.

Rashmi Rekha danced on GHOOMAR from Padmavat and without forgetting a single step. The yoga performance was at par with any other stage performance. The commissioner for people with Disabilities Ms Minati Behera graced the occasion and released the souvenir. The evening ended with prize distribution to all the children who excelled in different events held earlier.

A simple way of making yourselves AUTISM FRIENDLY is by imagining yourself in their shoes and looking at them through clear glasses, after which you will gladly change your understanding and approach towards them. To combat the demon named autism is early intervention, education, therapy, lot of love and patience and above all a beaming smile telling them that ‘Sweetheart don’t worry we are with you and we love you the way you are’.

(Aditi is a freelance writer and pursues interest in the area of social issues)