HYDERABAD: Over 60 people, kids, citizens, therapists and doctors. took part in a two-kilometre walk to create awareness about autism, on the occasion of
World Autism Day on Sunday morning.
The walk, held between Habsiguda and Uppal, was organised by Dr Sarojini Autism & Child Development Centre. Participants distributed leaflets about the autism spectrum to passersby.
“On a rather lazy day, it was nice to see a few people listen intently about the condition and even ask questions,” said Chandra Shekar, a therapist working with the Dr Sarojini Centre.
Another member claimed that autism was unheard of in the city until 10 years
ago. “Thanks to social media, it has changed. However, this is the case only
in cities and needs to reach rural areas too,” the member said.
Chandra Shekar said that boys are more prone to autism due to genetic reasons. “We call it a spectrum because autism can't be the same in all children. Another noteworthy point is that post-Covid, we have been seeing a rise in cases and it's probably because kids being stuck to their electric devices and a decrease in social interaction that hampers their numerological development,” he said.
The volunteers said that the second issue was denial because of the stigma
attached to autism.
“Parents deny any problem with their kids and when schools reject them, they
come to us. We never promise full recovery, because this is not a disease but a neurological disorder. We work towards calming them and then help them with skills to live with autism,” a volunteer said.
