What No One Tells You About Autism
“Unforgettable”, a movie about a young lady who is special. She’s the youngest of three sisters and the only one living with her old-age grandma. Their parents died in a car accident when they were still young. Her siblings work in the city while she is working part-time in a restaurant owned by her grandma. One glance at her, you will not know that she is autistic. She acts like a normal young lady. Yet, there are situations that she cannot control, that is when she hears loud music.
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Many people with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), don’t like loud noises. It is annoying and overwhelming for them to listen to many people talking. The sound of horns, sound frequency like the sound of microphones, it affects them a lot. There are different noise sensitivities for individuals with ASD. That is why they tell them to use headphones and earplugs for instant relief and comfort. You also can say, they are self-centered people. It is their attitude to keep valuable things entrusted to them. Most of the time, sharing is an issue to them.
Why am I writing about this topic? April 2, is World Autism Awareness Day! I have friends who are parents of children with autism. Yes, for us parents with normal kids, it’s hard to take care of the children with this condition. But for them, they can cope up, with the help and support of their parents, family, and friends. They introduce their children to normal society. They think mainstreaming them helps in the child’s development.
In the movie, the lead star has a strong attachment to her grandmother. Unfortunately, Lola became sick and confined for a long time in the hospital. The young lady had to live with her siblings in the big city. At first, she was hesitant. She doesn’t know what to do without her grandmother. She developed separation anxiety. She cannot sleep, became irrational and it became a problem to her sisters. Her Lola reminded her to do her usual daily routine. She did what her Lola advised her and forgot her desire to go home and take care of her grandmother. She busied herself with the chores she usually does, cooking. Because of her talent in the kitchen, she became close to her nieces.
Understanding Autism
It is a known fact that individuals with this condition tend to do their best when they have highly-structured schedules and routines. Some of these are the time for getting up from bed. Daily schedules help to organize their thoughts. As outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSMMD), one of the primary diagnostic criteria of autistic spectrum disorder is that the individual shows restrictive, repetitive patterns of behavior, interest, and activities.
People with autism have a frankness that can be alarming. It does not matter to them if they could hurt others feelings. That is why parents and guardians should always remind them to control what they have to say. They have to be consistent in teaching them. They may be slow learners, but when you are consistent they can adopt.
Tantrums are also common to individuals with this condition. And many times, you can’t pacify them. You have to know what triggers their “acts” to avoid it in the future. And if it isn’t avoidable, you should know how to stop them, what to do to stop them. Throwing tantrums is their way to communicate their frustrations and sadness. And also, getting your attention.
Special kids like them have talent. Some are excellent in memorization, math, music, and athletics. My friend’s son has an interest in becoming a newscaster and likes to make a vlog, on him being a congressman or mayor. And yes, he is studying in a normal school.
There are some diagnosed with ASD and were successful in the fields they chose. One of them is Dani Bowman, a talented animator, and illustrator. At 11 years-old she launched DaniMation Entertainment. She is a passionate autism advocate and public speaker. She advises those with ASD to follow their dreams and achieve their goals.
Other ASD intellectuals, business leaders and artists, are:
- Dr. Temple Grandin, professor of Animal Science/Influential Autism spokesperson
- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, composer
- Satoshi Tajiri, Pokemon inventor
- Emily Dickinson, writer, and poet
- Anthony Ianni, national championship-winning basketball player
- Sir Anthony Hopkins, actor
- Albert Einstein, theoretical physicist
- Daryl Hanna, actress
- Susan Boyle, musician
- Dr. Vernon Smith, Nobel-prize winning Professor of economics
- Clay Marzo, Surfer
- Thristan “Tum Tum” Mendoza, internationally-recognized marimba prodigy
They are great influencers and inspirations to the parents with ASD children. They contribute not only to the ASD society but to the whole world.
Going back to the movie. After the death of her grandmother, the lead star asked her siblings if they could let her live alone. Trusting her abilities and attitude, they let her live in the province. With the help of her friends, she runs the restaurant her grandmother left her. She became an inspiration to her friends and other people who knew her. Her child-like attitude made them humble and down-to-earth.
As we celebrate Autism World Awareness Day, we should not look at autism as a terrible disease. We need to look at their condition as a marvelous opportunity to look at the world in a different lens. Let us support parents with ASD children. Love and understanding extended to them will be of great help. It is hard for them but with them accepted into society, we lighten their burden. Let us remember that autism is not a barrier to success!
About the Writer:
A mom of four kids, Sonia Sabulao Gacillos, had chosen to be a full-time mom to take care of her growing family. She was pregnant with her second child when she decided to resign from her job in the government. For almost two decades, her life goes around her children and her husband.
She loves to read and do crafts, like cross-stitching. She writes too whenever some ideas come to her mind. She respects all mommies who decided to be with their kids. Thankful for the ascend of these remote jobs, she now aspires to be a work-at-home mom, so she can be of help to her husband, financially and for her to grow more, professionally.