All things bright and beautiful,
I see too, as you
I feel too, maybe more than you!
But at my inabilities
you laugh, mocking me
Belittling me...
I scurry to this corner
Hide behind my friends
They don't stare
Nor mind my slur...
Here, I turn the pages of my life
at my own pace!
Autism, a mental development disorder, is characterized by problems in social skills, communication skills (both verbal and nonverbal) and shows very restricted interests and repetitive behavior of the individual. Usually diagnosed before 3 years of age, Autism occurs in as many as one child per 150 children. Though the severity and spread in India is almost at par with the rest of the world, the Government of India only recognized this as a disorder/disability in 2001. Before this, schools catering solely to autistic persons were not able to receive funding from the government. Persons with autism were also not eligible for concessions and benefits offered by the government unless they were diagnosed as mentally retarded, which most autistic people are not!!
Though late, the recognition and increasing awareness about Autism in India is a hopeful beginning for the better lives of these special people. However, much remains to be achieved in terms of correct and timely diagnosis, education/schooling of autistic children, acceptance in society, funding and proper implementation of grants/concessions by the govt etc.
What do you think is the biggest challenge for us to deal with Autism in India? Have you any personal experiences that you would like to share here with us?
http://www.saiautismcenter.org/current/index.htm
http://www.aba-india.org/index.html
I see too, as you
I feel too, maybe more than you!
But at my inabilities
you laugh, mocking me
Belittling me...
Hide behind my friends
They don't stare
Nor mind my slur...
Here, I turn the pages of my life
at my own pace!
 |
| Linking this to Write Tribe's 55 on Friday. The beautiful picture prompt is by Vidya. |
Autism, a mental development disorder, is characterized by problems in social skills, communication skills (both verbal and nonverbal) and shows very restricted interests and repetitive behavior of the individual. Usually diagnosed before 3 years of age, Autism occurs in as many as one child per 150 children. Though the severity and spread in India is almost at par with the rest of the world, the Government of India only recognized this as a disorder/disability in 2001. Before this, schools catering solely to autistic persons were not able to receive funding from the government. Persons with autism were also not eligible for concessions and benefits offered by the government unless they were diagnosed as mentally retarded, which most autistic people are not!!
Some important non profit organizations working towards this cause are listed here, please read and spread awareness!
http://www.autism-india.org/index.htmlhttp://www.saiautismcenter.org/current/index.htm
http://www.aba-india.org/index.html
Lovely words.
ReplyDeleteAutism or any other special needs kids should be treated as equal or normal... think that should also be practiced by all of us.
True, treating with respect and as equals is the first step we can take towards bringing about some difference in the lives of autistic children.
Deletei am glad it is more widely recognized and managed with respect and care.
ReplyDeleteYes Theresa, it is changing and we are glad for this change! A lot more has to be done still....
DeleteHugs! Aditi! beautiful take on the prompt. Love how gently your verse flowed at the end.
ReplyDelete:-)
Thank you Vidya :) Somehow this picture brought out these emotions...
DeleteLove the way you have used this prompt to spread awareness. Bless you.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jyothi :)
DeleteSo well done on the prompt!
ReplyDeleteThanks dear :)
DeletePolio was one of the disease that had India severely under its Grips..but with awareness and effort now we are a 100% Polio Free nation..Similarly Autism with awareness and effort will be eradicated in India..What we need is to provide helping hands to those suffering from this disability,the least we can do is to encourage the person suffering from Autism instead of making fun of him,that way he will feel connected to the society and despite of being disable will he will never loose hope.. :)
ReplyDeleteNice Post Aditi.. :D
True Harsha! Together we can!
DeleteAs always your simple words have great depth! Beautiful message
ReplyDelete:) Thanku
DeleteMeaningful take on the prompt Aditi. A salute to your sensitive side.
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot Jini!
DeleteVery beautiful. I really liked this one! ♥ Loved how you used the prompt to spread awareness to autism.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kathy!
DeleteLove ur take and that too, for a good cause. It's time for us to integrate the ones afflicted with autism and change our perspective towards them. Great job:)
ReplyDeletewww.vishalbheeroo.wordpress.com
Thanks Vishal....yes first step is to bring about a change in the way we think!
DeleteI love how you linked the prompt to a cause - your poem bringing out so well the difficulties people with autism face. Lovely, touched me deeply.
ReplyDeleteThanks Suzy :)
DeleteTouching ... a very beautiful poem.
ReplyDeleteThank you Amrit!
Deletelovely post
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteYou have used the prompt very wisely and nicely...loved it
ReplyDeleteGood luck
Thanks Shelly!
DeleteYou have been tagged and awarded. :)
ReplyDeletehttp://jyothisdayout.wordpress.com/2013/11/05/the-liebster-award/
Thanks Jyoti! :)
DeleteI have a very close friend with an autistic son. He's nearly 24 now, but when he was born and initially diagnosed, I remember how isolated my friend and her husband felt. They had little information and little understanding from friends and family. There is more readily available information now and seems to be much more common.
ReplyDeleteIt's a difficult thing to be different. There's beauty in differences, of course, but it takes special eyes and a caring heart to celebrate those differences.
Thanks Talon for sharing your friend's story...Yes, it takes a special heart for taking care of these special children...lots of blessings and light to your friends and their son.
DeleteThe awareness is more today and so is acceptance by society.
ReplyDeleteVery nice poem penned by you.
Thanks Indrani!
DeleteNice Read. . . . a G+ for ur Post and Have a Nice Day. . . :)
ReplyDeleteThank you :)
DeleteI loved your poem and how you tied it in with a cause dear to your heart that you did an admiral job of spotlighting and spreading awareness. Awesome! ♥
ReplyDeleteThank you Kathy :)
DeleteJames Herriot and Anglican hymn writers love your first line, I'm sure.
ReplyDelete:) :) it is one of my fav hymns!!
DeleteYou have written about a very important topic. I have had a few children on the autism spectrum in my life and have found them to be exceptionally brilliant. Thanks for helping to raise awareness.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sherry...we shouldn't judge by what we see, sometimes what what these special kids can do can surely surprise us n at times also put us to shame!
DeleteYour words give such a powerful voice to an important cause...Love the photo with it. Books were my friends that didn't judge when I was a child...
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot Susie....books surely are man's best friend no?
DeleteI love the voice you expressed in your poem! Awareness is key and your book friends know this~
ReplyDeleteWell done
Thanks a lot Ella...really appreciate :)
Deletebeautiful.... and so good to see this effort....:-)
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot Sreeja :)
DeleteI'm so glad that you shed a light on autism in India. It is interesting and important to make others aware of what it's like in other countries, (or their own), on such important topics.
ReplyDeleteYou rendered this in a creative way...the image is perfect for this! Thank you for sharing your work with Real Toads!
Thank you for the opportunity Hannah! Glas yo liked it! :)
DeleteBeautiful poetry .. autism has touched my family's life, your words capture the emotions surrounding it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Helen!
DeleteBeautifully done.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kathryn :)
DeleteThe one thing I like most about writing and especially poetry is that it can often capture an entire feeling or emotional situation in a few words and have more impact than actually seeing the situation itself. You used the medium flawlessly and expressed a truth that is more easily felt than expressed and did it beautifully. Loved it!
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot!! Really appreciate your kind words :)
Delete