There
is a saying “if they can’t learn the way we teach, we teach the way they
learn.” This is a saying aptly suitable for autistic people. What is autism? Autism is a neurological
disorder. It has an effect on normal brain function affecting development of
the person’s communication and social interaction skills.
We
see people with autism and feel bad; show sympathy and a few heartless brutes
bully them. It is horrible and wrong because even they are equally intelligent
and clever but the difference between them and us so called normal people is,
we can express but they simply can’t. All they need is love and affection and
people handling them need lots of patience.
People
who handle them are known as care givers and not care takers as is generally
referred in similar contexts. There are many causes for autism such as over
medication during pregnancy, late marriages, physical or mental stress etc. But
autism cannot be detected during pregnancy. It can only be detected at the age
of 6 months when the child is not able to crawl or maybe at the age of 9 months
when they are not able to walk properly etc.
I
also used to think that autism means being an introvert but today I know the
difference and can speak about it confidently because I got an opportunity
provided by our Principal – DAV Public School Safilguda Hyderabad, Dr. Sita
Kiran Ma’am to visit “The Autism Friendly Village” located at Shamirpet.
On
October 5, 2015, our school reopened after the SA 1 exams and all of us were
excited to meet our friends and teachers but we didn’t know that there was a
surprise awaiting us. Our Principle Ma’am had visited an autism center called
“The Autism Friendly Village” located at Shamirpet and she wanted the student
cabinet members to visit the center and see the place and people there and
contribute our bit by raising funds for them. So we began our trip by 9 am
accompanied by Kalpalatha Ma’am and Malati Ma’am. We reached the place by 10
am. We were warmly greeted by Mallikarjun Sir and Prashanti Ma’am who work
there from the time of its inception. They took us to each and every room to
show us how the kids over there study and perform other activities. Kids there who
are above 17 years have to start earning by using their skills like making some
craft items or paintings. In the normal education
system there is 1:40 teacher and students ratio, but at the autism center it is
1:1 as every child needs special care and attention. They have separate rooms
for every child who stays there with the caregiver. They have a canteen where
only satvik food (no onion and
garlic) is served, as onions and garlic tend to make the child hyper active. They
even have a prayer hall and also every Saturday and Sunday movies (Hindi and
Telugu respectively) are shown to the kids. Autistic kids can’t do everything
on their own but all they need is signals or indications such as a nod in
agreement etc which makes them do the activities.
It
was indeed a heart touching visit and I now feel that I have a very blessed
life. I am now motivated to contribute whatever I can, for these special
children of God.
