World Autism Awareness Day is observed on April 2nd each year. Autism is a disorder characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, as well as restricted and repetitive behaviors. It is more prevalent than conditions like diabetes or cancer among children. While the exact causes are unknown, autism is believed to involve genetic factors. Early intervention through behavioral and educational programs can help autistic children develop skills and independence. However, greater awareness and support is still needed in society.

1. World Autism Awareness Day
I visited a very close friend of mine after a long time. We had drifted apart over the
years and she was now married and had a 2 year old kid. Johnny seemed to me like
just another normal hyperactive kid to me. He was playful, running around the room
like an express train, jumping from tables and chairs and making funny noises all the
time. But when I asked him for his name, he seemed not to notice. When I tried to
impose myself on him, as all us strangers are used to doing, he started getting highly
defensive. It was then I realized there was something peculiar about John.
My friend confirmed my apprehensions. The boy was autistic. Even though I come
from a science background and from a family with many health conditions, I had no
idea what autism was.
Turning to Wikipedia, my trusted source of information, I found ¨Autism is a disorder
of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and
communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior.¨
It amazed me as to how ignorant we are about a condition that is increasingly
prevalent in today´s world. Studies have shown that autism is much widespread
among children than child diabetes or cancer.
April 2nd has been declared as World Autism Awareness Day. On this day, let us try
to understand a few symptoms, myths, and treatment of autism.
Autism is a new disorder, a discovery of the modern age. The first documented case of
autism was in 1798. Autism sets before the age of 3 and is more prevalent in boys
than in girls.
Symptoms of Autism start as early as 8 months.
Lack of pointing to direct others’ attention to objects
Does not adjust gaze to look at objects that others are looking at
Cannot start or sustain a social conversation
Develops language slowly or not at all
Repeats words or memorized passages, such as commercials
Does not refer to self correctly
Uses nonsense rhyming
Communicates with gestures instead of words

2. It is important that one learns to identify the symptoms of autism as early intervention
in a well-run program is the key to helping autistic children reach their potential.
Autism is so complex that even a mother will find it difficult to understand the child.
The sooner the child is integrated with its peers the better is the ability to learn skills.
Everyday living is so complex with these children.
Though the exact cause is not known, it can be related to mutations in more than one
gene. Children with autism have problem with social reciprocity, communication and
have a restricted range of interest. They sense things differently and respond to them
in ways different from us, what we call abnormal behaviors.
Autism needs multi disciplinary management with services of a physician,
psychologist, speech therapist, special educator, occupation therapist and others.
Once the diagnosis has been made, the parents, physicians, and specialists should
discuss what is best for the child. In most cases, parents are encouraged to take care
of the child at home.
Special education classes are available for autistic children. Structured, behaviorally-
based programs, geared to the patient's developmental level have shown some
promise.
Most behavioral treatment programs include:
clear instructions to the child
prompting to perform specific behaviors
immediate praise and rewards for performing those behaviors
a gradual increase in the complexity of reinforced behaviors
definite distinctions of when and when not to perform the learned behaviors
Parents should be educated in behavioral techniques so they can participate in all
aspects of the child's care and treatment. The more specialized instruction and
behavior therapy the child receives, the more likely it is that the condition will
improve.
Medication can be recommended to treat specific symptoms such as seizures,
hyperactivity, extreme mood changes, or self-injurious behaviors.
The autistic child requires much of the parents' attention, often affecting the other
children in the family. Counseling and support may be helpful for the parents.
The outlook for each child depends on his or her intelligence and language ability.
Some people with autism become independent adults. A majority can be taught to live
in community-based homes, although they may require supervision throughout
adulthood.

3. Sankalp, the open school and learning
center in Anna nagar is one of the Myths about Autism:
pioneers in this field. Lakshmi, Sulatha Autistic People Are All Alike
and Subhashini started Sankalp in 1999
Autistic People Don't Have Feelings
with the mission to provide holistic care
for children with special needs through Autistic People Don't Build Relationships
improving their ability to learn and Autistic People Are a Danger to Society
helping them succeed in their pursuits. All Autistic People Are Savants
Though the awareness in India has Autistic People Have No Language Skills
increases considerably compared to a few
Autistic People Can't Do Much of Anything
years back, there is still a long way to go.
The government has recognized autism as a separate condition but it is still
considered as a part of mental retardation. This needs to change first. Autism is not
Mental Retardation. Further, all schools should be equipped to educate children with
special needs. And more than anything, the society needs to accept these children.
We are all sympathetic to physically challenged people. Our heart aches when we see a
movie like ´taare zamin par' or ´I am Sam´. But how many of us are willingly ready to
accept people with challenges as one of us and support them in all possible ways?
How many of us consciously educate our children to treat children with special needs
on the same ground? Our mentality needs to change. We need to understand these
children and their needs.
Perhaps the worst fate for a person with ASD is to have a lively intelligence trapped in
a body that makes it difficult for others to see that the lights are on. Let’s be the
change we desire.
Useful Links:
http://www.autism-india.org
http://www.autismindia.com
http://www.ashaforautism.com
http://www.autismspeaks.org
http://www.nap.edu (for useful recommendations on educational interventions
for children with autism, birth to 8 years)
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/
http://www.templegrandin.com
http://sankalpnet.org
Rtr. Vasanthan Kannan,
Rotaract Club of Zenith,
Sponsored by Rotary Club of Madras North East.