Understand autism: Myths & facts

Hey all,
I saw this article at CNN IBN, and thought that it should be one which is to be read by a larger audience…

Most of us would help a blind person cross the road. But when it comes to an autistic child, people turn indifferent.

In an age where communication is the most
important of all skills, how does an autistic child cope with a
communication disorder?

Tamil actor Prithvi Raj’s 11-year-old son Ahed was not allowed to board a plane in Bangalore because airport security seemed to think that his disability made him dangerous.

“Our struggle is to make my son acceptable
in the main stream society. We don’t want special privileges, don’t
make his life miserable please,” Prithvi Raj says.

Autistic children like Ahed face
insensitivity and discrimination almost everyday. When an autistic
child does not make eye contact, or doesn’t return a greeting, people
think he’s either rude or indifferent.

While the truth is that autistic children find it difficult to communicate verbally or even through gestures.

“For our children, just to look, to blow,
to turn around when called. Each and everything needs to be worked
upon,” ‘We CAN’ Resource center for autism founder Hema Jairam says.

A popular misconception about autism is
that it is a disability of the super intelligent and that all autistic
children have a special talent.

However, therapists say that such cases
are extremely rare, and most autistic children are like regular kids
who could love music, hate math and be great athletes.

AUTISM TRAITS

bullet Difficulty in expressing needs, using gestures or pointing instead of words.
bullet Repeating words or phrases in place of normal, responsive language.
bullet Laughing or crying for no apparent reason or showing distress for reasons not apparent to others.
bullet Preference to being alone.
bullet Little or no eye contact.
bullet Unresponsive to normal teaching methods.
bullet Obsessive attachment to objects.
bullet Apparent over-sensitivity or under-sensitivity to pain.
bullet No real fears of danger.
bullet Noticeable physical over-activity or extreme under-activity.
bullet Non-responsive to verbal cues, acting as if deaf, although hearing tests in normal range.

But the challenge for an autistic child
lies in overcoming his disability and making an effort to be the part
of mainstream – be it education or interaction.

For them going to a regular school, or even playing in the park is not simple. It’s a big step in their learning.

Thirteen-year-old Teja, an autistic child
managed to overcome his disability by his mother’s help. He has always
gone to a regular school and is a perfect example of what the
combination of intense therapy at home and an understanding school can
achieve.

Teja’s social skills improved to such an
extent that he started participating in mainstream education and social
events. Today, he plays the perfect host at his birthday parties.

“I call all my friends, enjoy, eat and
give chocolates to all,” says Teja. “Do actors act in serials? I would
like to act in a serial someday,” he says.

“I think everybody. Your family,
relatives, neighbours, they should all know that your child has a
disability. I mean it’s not a curse or a sin or something. Ok, a child
is born like this, so what can you do about it? All that you can do is
to help,” Teja’s mother Rekha Kumar says.

Though most autistic children are
misunderstood and are often considered mysterious by a largely
insensitive society, with some care, understanding and awareness they
can overcome the complex disability.

    SOURCE : http://www.ibnlive.com/news/understanding-autism-myths–facts/24508-3.html

   
As you might understand, autism is not a disease, its a condition. And
an autistic person should not be ignored, but should be cared for, and
treated good. I dont have to say anymore, all points have been covered
by CNN IBN blog writer :) But another day, I’ll give you a few steps to
be followed to help out autistic people, especially children… Adios
for now…

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October 23, 2006 | Filed Under General World 

comments

One Response to “Understand autism: Myths & facts”

  1. Popular Science on October 2nd, 2007

    Popular Science

    I couldn’t understand some parts of this article, but it sounds interesting

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