Perspectives of Autism Awareness

What are the importance of Autism Awareness?

1) Clears up misunderstandings and stereotypes of parents, caregivers and the public

“I recall an incident when I went to the mall with my mother. At the mall, a boy, maybe around 10 years old, was having a sensory meltdown where he was banging his head on the wall, scratching the parents, crying and screaming loudly while pushing away his parents who were trying to comfort him. 

Few people were passing by and made some terrible remarks. I remember an old lady approached us (me and my mom) who were staring at them (the child and the parents) and said, “What a devil child he is. Screaming in the mall without shame and making a scene. If it was my child, I'll slap him until he shuts up. I don't know what his parents are doing anyway at home”. 

I got angry instantly and was about to speak back to that old lady, but then my mom intervened and said something which made me think a lot of things. She said, “Don’t say that. I think that boy is God’s child, by which I mean he might be autistic. Autistic children are not ordinary people like us, they are extraordinary. Sometimes they have these behaviours but it's normal, they just need some time. Don't tell me we even the adults won't scream and out like a mad person when things don't go our way, right? So why do we need to judge special children? We are all problematic in life at some points and it's normal.”.

That literally rearranged perspectives on the importance of autism awareness. Both people, one who had autism awareness and one who didn't know what was going on, were in front of me and made me reflect on the reality of our human society nowadays. After listening to my mom, that old lady got to know about what autism is and more when both of them continued their conversation. I just left both of them to continue their meaningful conversation. If that old lady had some awareness about autism in the first place, she wouldn't have made such awful remarks about the cute little boy who was overwhelmed. She would have understood the whole situation or would have even offered help or some good words as emotional support to the family if she had autism awareness.”

- Mr. Sethupathi Viknesh A/L Sabapathi,

Behavioural Counselling Psychologist.

2) Early childhood developmental screening and intervention 

“I didn't know that development disorders like ASD, Dyslexia, ADD and Global Developmental Delay and other issues exist among children during childhood. My son always had issues with his academics before this and the teachers always complained. Luckily I got to meet Miss Revathy (Director of Auesome Kids Behavioural Services) and she helped me in diagnosing my son with dyslexia. Before meeting her, I never knew about autism and other developmental issues. 

Luckily we found out earlier and she arranged with one of her therapists to offer help to our son, or else I'm sure it would have gotten terrible if he had grown up. Even in my family, there are children who are showing symptoms of autism but their parents never wanted to do anything. I even told them about this but they said their son is just mischievous. It's been months and all I can see is that the parents are suffering and the child's behaviour is getting bad but they don't wanna accept it.”

- One of Our Auesome Kids Parents

Here, Developmental Delay Awareness creates a major impact on helping the parents to identify any developmental issues in their children using common developmental symptoms, seek support and arrange with the therapies and resources that the children need. Without public awareness, parents or any individuals wouldn't know that their kids are having developmental issues that need to be intervened earlier. When children with developmental issues are provided with an earlier diagnosis by professionals like us, therapies, interventions and support can be arranged and performed quickly without delaying furthermore. 

3) Greater the Acceptance and Advocacy

With a wider awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorder and other developmental issues, members of the public can do their part and responsibility to share knowledge and resources among the others and advocate for the children. For example, if a teacher and an employee is able to influence their colleagues and higher officials on taking in students and individuals with autism to enrol in school and workforce, it would increase the chances of people with ASD to continue shining and achieving success in their life, financially, academically and holistically. 

With greater public awareness on autism and other developmental issues, it can help to change the lives of many children, individuals and families.