Autism Awareness Campaign - Conclusion

I am concluding the “Autism Awareness Poster Campaign” today, 30th day of the campaign.  All the major topics covered in this campaign are listed in today’s poster.  Does it cover almost everything about autism? No.  I could not cover all possible topics about autism in this 30 days campaign.  The objective of this campaign was to share knowledge and my experiences about different aspects of autism and spread awareness.   

Going forward I will create posters for some of the remaining topics. They would include Gut-Brain connection theory, Diet and Autism, Diversity and inclusion, assistive technologies, affective technologies for emotion communication, emotional intelligence (EI) and functional independence.  But not every day!  

Prevalence of developmental and intellectual disabilities in India is about 40 persons per 1000.  This includes ’15 per 1000’ for Autism, ‘1 - 2  per 1000’ for Down syndrome, ’20 per 1000’ for Intellectual Disability (formerly called Mental Retardation), and ‘3 per 1000’ for Cerebral Palsy.  They are born differently and have all rights like any other person in the world.  Isn’t it the responsibility of the civilised society to include them in all activities?  Yes, there are challenges, but we have to address these challenges and make all possible activities “inclusive”.  Be it education, work, or entertainment.  

There are organisations in which developmentally disabled individuals are recruited based on their skills and aptitude.  Recently, we (an NGO of which I am part of) were invited by an MNC to setup a cafe run by “developmentally and intellectually challenged persons”, in their prime office premise, with an objective to bring in “inclusivity”.   The cafe is working very well, with good number of employees having close interaction with the “special” persons who runs the Cafe.  This helps both sides.  The employees are experiencing the diversity and the “special” individuals are becoming part of professional organisation and adding value. 

Large number of NGOs and parents are working hard in running special schools, sheltered workshops, workplaces exclusively for autistic or developmental and intellectually disabled persons, and doing many innovative activities to spread awareness about autism.  Many are working closely with various central and state government departments to create the right laws, to ensure that the rights and freedom of “special” persons are protected and they are supported in this world, where majority of people tend to become self-centric and lethargic to differently born people.  Also, there are tens of thousands of selfless volunteers contributing to this cause.   Salutes to all of them.   Also, salute to the millions of autistic persons in the world, who are striving to live and enjoy life in a hostile kind of environment.

Here are the links to all posts of this campaign in chronological order:

What is Autism?
Early signs of Autism in children
Parents in Denial Mode
Symptoms that warrant immediate evaluation
Why Early Intervention Important?
Early Intervention
Unconditional Love
Prevalence of Autism
Causes of Autism
Sensory Integration Issues
Myths and Facts - I
Myths and Facts - II
Myths and Facts - III
Normal vs Special
Obsession
Stimming
Routines & Resistance to Change
Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) Therapy
Brain Gym
Music and Autism
Horticultural Therapy
Dance and Movement Therapy
Brain Re-Engineering?
Autism through the life span
Conditions that accompany Autism
Measurement of Autism
Challenges of Raising an Autistic kid
State Support for Autism
Challenges in Adult Life
Conclusion

Concluding this poster campaign with a quote “Let’s stop ‘tolerating’ or ‘accepting’ difference, as if we’re so much better for not being different in the first place.  Instead, let’s celebrate difference, because in this world it takes a lot of guts to be different.” - Kate Bornstein.