Photo courtesy: Morrow County Health District
Embracing them with wide arms open, autistic people are also humans.
As we celebrate this year’s World Autism Awareness Month, it calls for “Inclusive Quality Education For All"; it is high time that we stop seeing autism as a flaw but rather a uniqueness.
John (not his real name) is a nine-year-old autistic kid who seeks kindness and inclusivity above all amid his condition.
In 2016, he was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) due to his speech delay, behavioral problems, and inability to show independence at the time most kids of his age are able to.
“He couldn’t stay in place, control his movements, and he would always make unnecessary noises. He also couldn’t perform activities of daily living,” said his 20-year-old sister, Anikka.
Prior to being diagnosed, Anikka mentioned that their first thought of John’s condition was Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
“John was really a hyper kid. When he was first diagnosed, I wasn’t there, but when they [my family] went home from the doctor, at first, I was shocked,” she admitted.
However, Anikka was quick to accept the situation. All that mattered to her was the thought of finally having an answer to John’s condition.
Taking the next step, they sent John to a school offering special education which also comes with therapy and assistance from neurodevelopmental pediatricians.
Pre-pandemic, John underwent cognitive behavioral therapy involving different activities such as coloring, learning how to count, identifying pictures shown to him, and even testing his patience.
Since then, there have been visible improvements in John; he started talking, eating by himself, dressing up on his own, and walking properly.
“Before, he would just cry if he wanted something, but he has learned to express himself, and his patience has improved,” his sister said.
However, one of the disadvantages of living in the province is the lack of facilities and facilitators for people with the same condition as John.
“Basically, going to school had to stop [since the pandemic], as well as the therapies since the OT (occupational therapist) is based in Manila; there are only a few of them here.” Anikka said.
Recently, another door of improvement opportunity opened up for John as he was starting to take his speech therapy the moment there was an available licensed speech pathologist in his school.
Having to witness firsthand the needs of his brother, Anikka realized the shortage of professionals who could help those with similar conditions as John.
Currently taking Occupational Therapy course in Cebu Doctors’ University, Anikka’s inspiration is to become someone’s miracle.
“Because that’s what I felt when I saw my brother talk for the very first time, the day he started to love coloring, and how I saw the comfort in his eyes when he can finally express his feelings in a well-mannered way,” she said.
If Anikka were to describe John’s most adorable trait, it would be his overflowing sweetness.
“He likes kissing me on my cheeks and hugs me often; [he is] my food buddy, and sometimes we take a video while eating because we like the same drinks and foods.”
John’s innocence is something we need to protect in this harsh world we live in. This month-long observance may be about to end, but we still got the rest of our lives advocating for a better future for John.
Thus, this is a call for everyone to make the world a better place as we embrace diversity and extend kindness to all kinds of human beings.
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