Every year, April is observed as Autism Awareness month. It is during this month that all the important monuments in the city are lighted up as in Blue Campaign.
But painting the city in blue is not just what is needed, public should be educated on the intense challenges of the diagnosis and the tough aspect of living with disability. It should not be just committed to creating awareness, there should also be critical help given to the autistic persons in the form of social programs, education safety and employment opportunities.
Many people do not know anything about autism.
“We discovered it after 3 1/2 years because till then he did not speak. Then one of our Doctor friend who is a paediatrician guided us to go to UMEED and NIMH for evaluation followed by the therapy and our journey with Autistic child started.” Says Vaishali Prabhakar, mother of 14 years old Aditya Prabhakar. “We were shocked and shattered to know that we have a special child and he has to go to the special school. Because till then we were not aware about Autism. “
As a child, Aditya Prabhakar did not have eye contact, his speech was limited and he had no social interaction with other children. He was reserved and in his own world.
Aditya was admitted in Swami Brahmanand School at Navi Mumbai, Belapur, at the age of 6years. Over the nine years in school he has shown marked progress.
His Mom, Vaishali Prabhakar, is very grateful with the improvement shown by him at school “We consider ourself lucky to admit our child in SBP. Thanks to the support of the management, teaching staff and support staff. They really made him independent, his academic potential was identified and improved upon. His talent of singing, skating, swimming, table tennis and cricket was motivated encouraged and brought to the competitive level by the entire staff of SBP. And this is all possible because of the support and guidance of our founder trustee Ms Shirish Poojari ma’am”
Aditya is very sensitive, understands the pain of others. He is a very good audio leaner, his memory is good, he reads and writes, he is an excellent singer he learns the lyrics through audio, understands the background music and sings perfect karaoke songs without reading the lyrics on the screen. He is good in numbers.
“Level of awareness of Autism in India is very low that's why society doesn't accept them easily and look at them as an ALIEN.” Says Vaishali, “Society should accept them the way they are and support them and help them to lead a normal life. Wherever we find such children's we tell them our experience and guide them. They should be vigilant about any abnormal changes in the behaviour pattern from day one. “ she continues
Aditya did not go to any other school before joining SBP. He joined school in 2012. He has learnt to perform his day to day activities. He has started talking and mingling with people. He has won many awards and certificates over the years that include singing, sports, drama, yoga, cooking competition, Aditya had also participated in a ‘Quizabled Knowledge’ for all in which he won cash prize and a gift
During the pandemic, the online sessions were regular. Due to the perseverance dedication of the management and teacher's he started liking online sessions in academic, sports, art and craft, singing.
“Autistic children's leading a normal life totally depends on the support and acceptance by the society. “ says Vaishali Prabhakar
No comments:
Post a Comment