World Autism Awareness Day

itunes: 19, Adele (2008)

Today is World Autism Awareness Day.
Before I move on, ask yourself, how much you know about Autism? Or should I ask, how much wrong perception you have about Autism?

My good friend WP has an autistic boy. She quitted her job and became a stay-at-home mum full time taking care of her kid. She did extensive research on autism, put him on an organic diet, and devised a programme to stimulate the senses of the kid, so as to improve his condition. WP resorted to these holistic methods because all the doctors here in Singapore that she has visited, felt that her boy's condition is severe than most autistic kids, hence is beyond cure. WP reckoned, as a mum, she will do anything to help this poor kid, or at least he will be able to take care of himself when he grows up and his parents pass on. The boy is already 5 and his progress is slow. WP said when other normal kids run 10 steps, her boy moves only 1. She is pleased, at least right now, the boy responds to her call more frequently than before. Autistic kids often throw tantrum and become violent because they are not understood and they are unable to communicate their wants and needs. WP is concerned, at least right now, she still have the strength to pin her kid down during outburst like this. By the time when the boy grows older, she will not be able to pin him down anymore. This is where most of severe autistic kids ended up when they grow up, Institute of Mental Health (IMH), where they are kept within in an enclosed area like other mental patients. Yes, it's sad, mainly Autism in Singapore has not been viewed seriously as a disability because the system here generally regard it is not economically viable to put resources to sustain such patients. She just do not want her boy to end up in IMH for the rest of his life.

WP shared with me a story of an autistic teenager from the school her boy attends. There was once the teenage did something wrong at home and his father scolded him for the misdeed. Nobody noticed something amiss with him until a few days later, they noticed him walking around the house with a fork on his hand. This is something completely out of the 'routine' he used to be, but still they are not bothered with it. However, gradually they saw the same trend happened whenever the teenage was scolded for any misdeed. In the end, they threw away all the sharp objects in the house, particular knives in the kitchen. The mother does not do cutting anymore when she cooks for the family. Same here, they still hope that they do not have to send their kid to IMH one day.

I came across this good book, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time written by Mark Haddon and I strongly recommend everyone to read this book, to have a glimpse a detail insight of how an autistic kid think. Rest assured, this 220 page book is a fast read, told with a surprisingly light-hearted, even humorous touch, and the plot carries several entertaining surprises. I passed mine to WP and told her to pass it on to other people, so that it can help to change the negative mindset on autistic people. WP and her husband both agree with me that this book gave a true and detail account of the thought process of autistic kids. Hopefully, it can bring awareness to many and with more understanding and recognition, comes more and better help to this disability.