Autism Awareness Programme - Confluence 2014

Confluence 2104, a festival of music and dance combined with carnival in support of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder turned out to be very successful. This awareness programme was organised by Venkat Narayan Educational and Charitable Trust in collaboration with D.K.'s Learning Centre on April 5^th, 2014.

The event’s objective was to show support for children with special needs, especially, for children with autism and their parents. Eminent professionals - Ms. Geetha, Occupational therapist and Ms. Janice Shiji, Psychologist and a Social Worker participated in the event. Mrs. Padmini, Editor of Sudhesi Magazine also spent time in the event.

Clockwise from top left: Ms. Geetha, Occupational therapist addressing the gathering; Mrs. Padmini presenting a book "The Autistic Brain" to Mrs. Jayanthi Kannan, Founder, D.K.'s Learning Centre; Ms. Janice Shiji, Psychologist and a Social Worker, giving a motivational talk.

Ms. Geetha addressed the gathering explaining ways to handle children with autism, and also briefed on therapies that can make them better and equipped. Ms. Janice Shiji emphasized on the importance of accepting children with special needs. She stated life history of many achievers (suspected with some form of autism) like Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, Abhishek Bachchan, which was motivating for the parents.

The event also had cultural programmes performed by the children. The programme highlighted the importance of inclusion. Children, no matter what difficulty or disability they are with, were included in the cultural show.

Children performing in the show

The pyramid show

The sale put up at the event included articles made by children of D.K.’s learning centre - Jewellery articles, print and designer kerchiefs, bottle painting, candle (art) painting and home-made candles. Food stalls were also a part of the event.

Art work by children of D.K.'s

D.K.'s is very happy that this awareness programme - Confluence 2014 turned out to be successful. All our children have taken a lot of effort to make this event successful. Also, the involvement that our children showed in preparing materials and making up stalls were immense and it definitely had a good response from the public. 

Participants at the event

D.K.’s conveys its sincere thanks to everyone who helped in making Confluence 2014 happen and also for supporting the cause.

What is AUTISM all about?

                                                                

The seventh annual World Autism Awareness Day is April 2, 2014. 

What is autism all about?

If your child has autism, it is not because you are a bad parent.

Experts believe that autism presents itself in the first 3 years. The condition is the result of a neurological disorder that has an effect on normal brain function, affecting communication and social interaction skills. The exact cause of autism is not known though recent research indicates that it could be a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

It causes impairment or disturbance in three main areas Social skills, communicative (verbal as well as non-verbal) skills and in their repetitive and restricted behaviours.

You cannot always tell that someone has autism just by looking at them. Because of this autism is sometimes called a hidden disability.

Autism lasts for all of a person's life. But they can still do a lot of things and learn a lot of skills.

Myth: Autistic people are low on emotional quotient. But that is incorrect.

                                                          

Some people with autism find these things difficult

• ·         They find it difficult to tell people what they need, and how they feel.
• ·         They find it difficult to meet other people and to make new friends. 
• ·         They find it difficult to understand what other people think, and how they feel.

Not everyone with autism will find these things difficult. This is because everyone with autism is different.

How do people with autism behave

• ·         They may not speak. But they may use things like pictures or sign language to communicate.
• ·         They may not understand what other people say. They may copy what other people say. 
• ·         They may not take part in games or activities with other people. They may like to play the same game or do the same thing every day. They may only talk about their favourite subject.
• ·        They may find co-ordination difficult. This means that they may find it difficult to do things like use scissors, use knives and forks, or ride a bike. 
• ·         They may have learning disabilities.

BUT...

• ·       They may be very interested in one thing and know a lot about it.
• ·       They may be good at remembering information.
• ·       They may do well at school, college and work. 
• ·       They may be very good at something. For example, they may be very good at maths, art or music. 
• ·       They can be good at learning how to do something when they see someone else doing it. 
• ·       They may be good at concentrating on one activity. 

                                                    

Difference between autism and mental retardation

When a person has Mental Retardation there is a more or less even impairment in skills in all areas of development. Therefore, if an M.R. child of 8 years has a mental age of 5 then all his skills would be roughly around 5 years (i.e. motor, communication, social, self-help, cognition etc.). In Autism, there is an uneven skill development- in fact this is the hallmark of autism. In some areas the child may show age-appropriate skills; in some the skills may be below the developmental level; and then again there are people with Autism who possess exceptional skills i.e. beyond their age level.

Prevalence of Autism

Data released from the CDC this year (2014) placed the prevalence of autism in the U.S. at approximately 1 in 68 children. The number is up markedly from two years ago when it was 1 in 88, and seven years ago when it was 1 in 150. But the thing to keep in mind is that these are simply rates at which kids are being identified – so the data may not indicate that autism prevalence has actually jumped that much.

No exact data are available from India to provide an India-specific estimate of the prevalence. But approximately in India is 1 in 88 based on February 2014 data (updated: The Hindu dt: 03.04.14/ pg:2, Chennai edition) (figure may vary as many cases are not diagnosed) and currently 10 million people are suffering in India. The government only recognized the disorder in 2001, till 1980s, there were reports that Autism didn't exist in India. While the disorder is not rare, most people with autism in India have not been diagnosed and -- more critically -- do not receive the services they need. This problem occurs in many countries, but is especially true in India where there is a tremendous lack of awareness and misunderstanding about autism among the medical professionals, who may either misdiagnose or under diagnose the condition. It is also because of parents who do not accept their kids who have autism.

                                                          

Treatment

The only consistently effective treatment for autism is a structured training program; therefore, a combination of a good school and parent training is the best known treatment. Autistic children can make significant progress if the intervention is appropriate and consistent. 

It is time for us to stop our ignorance. Let us accept children with autism, understand and love.

Source:

1.        http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Autism-is-not-a-disease/articleshow/19333810.cms

2.       http://www.autism-india.org/afa_autisminindia.html

3.       http://www.autism.org.uk/about-autism/autism-and-asperger-syndrome-an-introduction/what-is-autism/what-is-autism-easy-read.aspx

4.       http://www.forbes.com/sites/alicegwalton/2014/03/28/10-things-to-keep-in-mind-about-the-cdcs-new-report-on-autism/