Thiruvananthapuram-based NGO, The Centre for Autism and other Disabilities Rehabilitation, Research and Education (CADDRE) has shared 29 videos featuring parents of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD. Meant to spread autism awareness, these videos deal with various aspects of parenting a child with special needs, and their expectations from people around them.
The videos were put up by CADRRE on their social media channels throughout the month of April to mark Autism Awareness Month. Since it is a sensitive issue, not many people go around asking these parents questions that we all have on our minds. The aim of these videos was to answer these queries while also giving these parents a chance to share their experiences and tips with others in a similar situation.
Principal advisor of CADRRE Lekshmi Nair and centre coordinator Malini G Unninathan took the utmost care to choose parents whose kids are from different age groups. The parents featured include those who have guided others by forming their own organisations and are looked upon as role models by parents of other special needs children.
Parents in the video talk about everything from their initial reaction to their child’s diagnosis, reactions of the family and friends, social stigma, misconceptions about the condition, their financial struggles, and a lot more. While they all begin with talking about the problems, they end up providing not just solutions but also hope with their tales of triumph. From a non-verbal child becoming a chatterbox with help from classmates to older children becoming financially independent by securing jobs, there are enough success stories in the videos to cheer all parents of children with special needs.
All the parents express the wish for more social inclusion of their children and a better understanding of autism in society.
