Our experiments with Autism - A never ending journey

Image by: Akshat Rassay   What next? That is what I was thinking when Akshat finished writing few poems for an online competition, last month. I had couple of topics in mind and I thought, let me ask him if he is willing to try any of them. I asked him if he would like to write something on 'Self-Advocacy' and pat came the answer, 'Yes'. I didn't expected it as I had no idea about his understanding on the topic. However, every time, the remarkable changes in his mindset, behaviour, confidence, and thoughts proves me wrong.  It is a feeling of content (and a little pride) for me, to see him growing as a mature, sensible and thoughtful person. As an adult with autism, he has his unique goals and aspirations, and I want to encourage him to pursue them as much as possible. Taking pride in his accomplishments, big or small, always provide me enormous joy. First time, as he writes for 'Self-Advocacy', I also stand by his side, supporting him, advocating for him an

You shaped me The unknown odyssey life took me on, had changed what was preset inside me, all the norms. Yet amidst trials and tribulations of time, unknowingly, A dream I never expected to venture into, was alive. As words poured out from the clatter of keyboard, Your fingertips began sharing and I absorbed it all. Your perspective, patience, acceptance, love.  We, in the light of your writing, came closer together through the dark. And while I was trying to carve a future for you, I realise, Indeed you had been shaping my present. They say that God lets a baby choose their own parents And I am ever so thankful to you, my child, for choosing me. By, Anagha Jawalekar As a mother, my journey with Akshat has been both challenging and rewarding. It has been a rollar coaster ride of emotions and experiences that have taught me patience, resilience and true meaning of unconditional love. So, this Mother's Day, I thought I should collate whatever Akshat has written on 'Mother' an

 Hello readers,  Sharing a post almost after a month... We have been busy with Talking Fingers book's online promotion for past several weeks...And then the April, World Autism Awareness Month, so it's been a busy schedule since past few weeks. We were having conversations in between because that is something, we both miss, if it doesn't happen for a few days. Apart from the recent conversations, I was just going through the older ones, and found one interesting activity that I did with Akshat. I remembered, those were the days when I was  dealing with his aggression and working on resilience building (still working). Archita Ma'am suggested me to do this with him and we (Akshat and I) had a good conversation followed with the activity.  Sharing the activity and the conversation... So, I made a table with three columns named Vital, Significant and Less Significant respectively. I asked Akshat to name five things for each column.  18-11-21 Vital Signific

  Gut Feeling Don't simply tag me un-social, I may enjoy your company Unless overcome by a feeling of general disinterest. As 'Boredom' is literally born of one's gut, not head! Now, you may not believe me if you haven't read, but it is indeed a sensation arising from your stomach's inflammation... Which is like the reverse of stimulation. It could make one go restless to dull to twinge in pain...Nonetheless, if you invite me when you want to entertain As long as my gut allows me, I'd likely not abstain By, Anagha Jawalekar Last month, we celebrated Akshat's birthday and this time he was willing to celebrate it with people around. Yes! I could see it. So, we had an eat out and a celebration at the vocational centre he goes to. As always, we discussed about the celebrations and yet more revelations came out.  Sharing the conversation about the birthday celebrations. The conversation lasted for two days... 22-2-23 M. So, how was   bday celebration….this

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 bear it. M. That’s