Our experiments with Autism - A never ending journey

Music through my ears So many harsh things floating in the air they are invisible like music but music is fair They give me stress, at times I fear it varies from mild to somewhat severe but music is there. Music is there to  rescue me from the clutches of anxiety from a bad mood to uplift me, calm me It gives me cheer It gives me hope like chatting with mum like writing things down Music helps me cope. By, Anagha Jawalekar One fine day, when I and Akshat were conversing, he mentioned that music helps him to cope. Although, I know about it very well, I thought why not discuss about it in detail. And I started discussing with him on 'coping mechanism'. The whole discussion was in the form of questions and answers but when we ended it, I found that it could make a good writeup on the topic, so I just put together all the Akshat's answers and here is his first writeup on 'coping mechanism'. We started it in November, left in between and then finished it just a few days...

I remember when Akshat started expressing by typing, I had asked him his experiences about the get together we organized at our place. That was for the first time he had shared that the noise, crowd and the 'filthy smell' was unbearable for him. He was jumping, running and screaming all the time during the get together. After almost three years (he shared those insights in March ' 20), he came up with the same revelations but the difference between then and now is that he has developed a 'coping mechanism' and knows how to 'redirect' himself. Also, he is sharing in the conversation that how the 'smell' of others is the reason of his restlessness but if 'loud music' is there, he's able to cope up with that. Apart from the sensory revelations, this conversation also points out how he can be a part of any social event (although he doesn't like socialization much) provided 'loud music' is there. All these conversations are like le...

  So, this Sunday we had another get together and as always, I talked to Akshat about his experiences... Sharing the conversation (with his permission, of course) we had today only... 20-12-2022 M. So, we had another get together this Sunday…How was your experience… A. it was manageable. M. Oh…Really! A. Yes. M. How it became manageable for you? A. with trying. M. Oh...That’s really great…What and how did you try? A.   I tried to be very mindful while dealing with sensory issues. M. Amazing! So you are putting your  conscious efforts and  learning to be tolerate and becoming an observer… A. Yes. M. So, what kind of sensory issues you were having there... A. Sound, dirty smell. M. Hmm…But you managed… You need not to always bear it…But these kind of situations also offers an opportunity to be tolerant at times and more importantly, you will learn to observe your mind as well as others. A. no…in these situations with so many people I cannot be...

 Posting after almost two months. Challenges are normal now and an intrinsic part of our life. So, without thinking too much, we are just flowing with the flow and enjoying the time to the fullest. As usual, I am sharing a conversation between me and Akshat. An interesting conversation happened after a long time. The conversation completed in 10 days... 6-12-22 M. We went to Didi’s birthday party last Friday…Do you remember? A. Yes. M. How was it...I forget to ask you... A. it was very uncomfortable to sit there. M. Hmm…What was bothering you? A. dance, singing horribly. M. Hmm…Was there anyone singing? I don’t remember… A. Yes… they were all singing. M. Ohhk…So you don’t like it? A. No M. But they were simply enjoying their friend’s birthday and expressing their enjoyment through dancing and singing… A. Ok…But I do not enjoy mingling with others. M. Ohhk…Then how do you enjoy and celebrate? A. I work seriously with my passion and that is my celebra...

  As the course of medication is about to finish in few days, I don’t know what changes would be there in Akshat again. Right now, he is happy, charged and feeling motivated. Medicines played a big role in stabilising his mood. In addition, I am continuing my efforts so that he can be mindful and deal with his thoughts. Last month was a bit relaxed and we had some nice conversations. In this post, I am sharing a few conversations, which he had with his counsellor. I wish he would continue with the same mind set. Conversation -1  (7/10/22) S. Good morning...How are you? A. gm...fine S. How was your week? A. Week was good. S. What was good? A. There was nothing to seem boring. S. That's nice... A. My mood is getting change to positive S. That's really nice...I want to know one thing from you...How do you cope up with sensory overload? A. I prefer to listen to music. Conversation - 2  (13/10/22) S. How are you? A. doing good. S. Wow...What is good? A. Happy mood? S. Ok...May...

  Writing this post exactly after a month. This time it took a bit long. Quite busy with Akshat and my personal stuff. This time also feeling physically low. Ageing, it seems. Well, things are pretty better now. After starting the medication, Akshat is calm, though I feel somewhere at the core those feelings are still disturbing him. As he cannot filter the unwanted information and feelings, the problem aggravates. An autistic mind does not know what to retain, how much to retain and what needs to be thrown out. Again, I am using the positive affirmations and CBT techniques to strengthen his mind. In addition, as I mentioned in my earlier posts, I have made some environmental changes by taking him to a vocational center, twice a week, reducing all the activities that he find stressful. Being an adult now, he is more assertive now. His ‘NO’ is more firm than ever. The more I talk to him, more I understand him as a person, I come to know that the difficulties arises because of pr...

  Sorry for the delayed post. Tied up with so many things since May. After a long time something good has happened. Until now, most of you would know that a book, Talking Fingers, co-edited by two mothers, Ms. Chitra Paul and Ms.Padma Jyothi has been released. The book is co-authored by sixteen Indian non-speaking autistics.  The book aims to shatter the myth that non-speaking is equal to non-thinking. The contributors (authors) have shared their thoughts on myriad range of topics ranging from their communication journey, to hobbies, responses to sceptics and their views on neurodiversity and disability. Akhat is also a content contributor (co-author) in this book. It is such a gratifying feeling for us. However, any kind of recognition was/is never my purpose but this book is a true medium to introduce him to the world. I always wanted that people should know him as a human being; his disability should not be a constraint. Seeing him as a published author makes me feel prou...