Kumar was silent and withdrawn. He could not speak. When the three-year-old was diagnosed as being mildly autistic, his parents were crushed. They soon recovered and started him on therapy. Today, he talks non-stop about his new bag and school. His eyes glint with mischief and there's a constant smile on his face. He's one of the success stories at Shivesh Autism Centre.
Homemaker Geeta Raja did not know what autism meant till her son Sivakumar turned 12. He struggled through “regular” schools, but always scored first class. He finished engineering with 72 per cent marks. However, he died young. To keep his memory alive and to help other parents of autistic children, Geeta started Shivesh in 2006 with her husband Nandhabalan. She did her MPhil in History of Autism and established a holistic centre that offered healing and hope to children with autism and attention deficit disorder and slow learners.
Integration, the key
Today, a nursery and primary wing has been added to the original set-up to offer integrated, inclusive education. Geeta says that autistic children open up with the love and affection of their peer group. And, the so-called regular children learn to be more sensitive to other's needs. More than 70 children, 40 of them autistic, attend school clad in red-and-white checked uniforms. They move from one class and therapy to another, learning to make eye contact, to feel, to smile, to speak and to write.
During therapy, children's unique abilities come to the fore. Nithya, a shy girl, is brilliant at glass painting. “She's really talented, and that's an avenue she can explore,” says Geeta. Another boy, Muthu, is great at sketching portraits. Parents should accept their children and let them be, says Geeta. “You can't make them run the rat race. But, each one of them is talented. Allow them to progress in that field. It will add to their confidence and help them join the mainstream.”
Geeta often has to deal with the issue of social stigma. “Many parents don't want the world to know their child is autistic. But, why? This is just a condition, and when identified early, can be remedied. Don't isolate children and lock them up at home. That'll see them slip further into their own world.” Geeta wants mothers to take up cudgels for their autistic children. “Give them unconditional love. They bloom under your care. Add therapy to this, and the journey gets easier,” she says.
Sensory stimulation
At Shivesh, children are also exposed to chanting, yoga and music — they help them settle and focus better. Traditional games such as pallankuzhi help too. So do sand therapy and hydrotherapy. “Sand and water offer great sensory stimulation,” she says.
The process of helping an autistic child snap out of his world is time-consuming. “You have to first interact with the children and enter their world to understand their fears and insecurities. Then, you slowly escort them towards the rest of the world. By this time, they are ready to handle the demands of society,” she says.
About 20 students from Shivesh have gone on to regular schools and have performed well in academics. One even came first in an elocution competition. “I believe they must move on. Meet new people, share new experiences… If they stay in one place, they tend to stagnate,” says Geeta.
The mother of Shankar, a child with attention deficit disorder, agrees with Geeta. “Initially, my son would just not respond. Within a month, we saw great change in him. Today, he goes to a regular school and mingles well with his classmates,” she says.
Geeta has kept the fee reasonable (Rs. 500 a month plus Rs. 1,000 each for speech and occupational therapy). “Many of our parents are from the middle class. Therapy is very expensive outside. It is not fair to deny a child treatment just because they can't afford it.”
As we leave the well-appointed therapy rooms, a boy in his pre-teens runs up to you and rests his fingers on your arm. There's a half-smile on his face as he raises his hands to touch your face, peer into your eyes and say hello. A huge step forward for someone who once refused to look at or touch anyone.
(The names of the children have been changed on request)
Handle it right
Don't isolate autistic children. Integrate them
Therapy helps a great deal in helping unlocking their minds
It's all right for parents to be upset. But, take positive action
Shivesh (www.shivesh.in) plans to offer admission to underprivileged children. Those interested in sponsoring the education and therapy of these children can contact Geeta at 98949-60485 and 98432-21084. .
