‘Autism takes its toll on families too’

SHILLONG: Speaking at the symposium on autism awareness at SAN-KER on Wednesday, Z Ali of Dwar Jingkyrmen said, “Families are the hardest hit by autism.”
At the gathering of around 50 people was one parent of an autistic child, who described his experience of autism in the family.
“My son was always very different,” he told The Shillong Times. “Right from birth he was always very quiet. He was our first child, so at the start we had little idea about parenting and though we were doing quite well as he was very quiet, always well behaved and never cried too much.”
However, the young parents noticed that the boy cried when other children approached him.
“We thought maybe he was a little different, so we just let it be. At one year most kids begin talking but he did not. One year turned into two and we started thinking that something might be wrong,” he said.
A speech therapist advised that the boy be tested and confirmation of autism was given when he was around three years old.
“We never thought it would happen to us. In our family history no one has autism or mental retardation. It came out of the blue.
“Many parents are not willing to accept the fact and there is the fear of knowing also. But we tried our best to accept the condition and deal with it. It’s becoming easier with therapy, although it is exhausting. It is very difficult. I can see other parents suffering also. You always have to be on your toes. When they sleep is the only time you can relax because their habits are very different from other kids.”
He worries about what it will be like for his son in years to come.
“I’m worried about people who don’t know about his condition. How will people treat him then? We need society to be more aware, to try to understand. The community has to become more sensitive, more understanding of someone with any mental problem. They are quite defenseless as kids growing up.”