Aditya and Happy: Defeating Autism and Inspiring Life at MBCN
Autism is not a processing error. It is a different operating system.
If you have no clue about Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorder, then you must know that these terms are used interchangeably to describe a number of complex disorders. Autism can be considered a spectrum condition which goes back to the issues with brain development. Children with autism display repetitive behaviour, difficulties in non-verbal and verbal communication as well as problems in social interactions, attention and motor coordination.
When we talk about repetitive behaviour, we basically refer to repeating certain actions and over-indulgence in individual interests. A slight deviation from common routine upsets them. They lack social communication, therefore, make little eye contact and rarely look at or listen to other people. They get away with gestures, facial expressions and movements and can’t go with the uttered words.
Sensing the Sensitivity
Autistic people can experience under or over-sensitivity to touch, smell, sound, light, taste and colours. For instance, there are certain background sounds that other people ignore but the autistic people find it quite distracting and unbearably loud. This type of hypersensitivity may lead to anxiety and physical pain. Those who are hypo-sensitive, cannot feel pain and need to spin, flap or rock their hands in order to stimulate sensation, help with balancing and dealing with stress. Therefore, it is difficult for them to even carry out the fine motor tasks, such as tying shoelaces.
However, it is their different abilities in which their strengths and abilities lie. Children with autism may have above-average intelligence, pay attention to detail and are strong auditory and visual learners. Since, autistic children go through a spectrum condition and not a disease, there is no particular cause behind autism. It is believed to occur due to certain environmental factors and autism risk genes that affect early brain development. These factors affect a child during birth or even before it.
MBCN Making a Difference
Such a child can seek help at a charitable school for special children, Mata Bhagwanti Chadha Niketan (MBCN). Here, a child psychiatrist, a speech-language pathologist and a developmental paediatrician work together in training them to improve their communication, age-appropriate skills and brain development. Just pay attention to the numerous success stories here and you will know what we mean.
Aditya and Happy Fight Autism
Focus on the case of Aditya Mishra. A quite talented boy, Aditya was accepted under the Autistic Wing of MBCN. Teach him anything during an activity class and he catches up quick without delay. As you teach, he tries not to forget or miss out on any part. He remembers stories from the movies he has watched and memorises songs, bhajans, stuti and stotras in one go. He can recite the most difficult of stotras and songs without stuttering or fumbling. He just needs to listen once and is ready to surprise you with his memory and singing ability. This small wonder is a storehouse of energy and is always keen on learning new things.
Did you meet Aditya Anand Raj aka Happy from the Autistic Wing yet? Come to MBCN where you may find him busy sketching. He is brimming with creativity, hence, can draw anything which he can be asked for. Ask him to draw something and he will oblige you with his fingers running fast on paper. He can even get down to sketching with an abstract idea while enjoying his class activities. He also excels in studies and is really good at subjects including English, Maths and Hindi.
These two are stars shining bright every day at MBCN while disparaging the myth that being autistic reduces your mental abilities. Aditya and Happy are living examples who are overcoming all possible challenges and utilising their limitless possibilities. They inspire living to the world in their own unique ways.
