The fifth interview in the Talking Fingers series features our author - Akshat Rassay. Akshat is a budding writer, artist and a poet. Let's get started by chatting his mom - Ritu Rassay.
Q) Please share your autism journey with us with special focus on developing communication skills in Akshat.
Akshat was diagnosed with Autism at the age of 3.5 years at Ummeed child development centre in Bombay. Being parents, it was heart wrenching for us to know about the diagnosis, specially the prognosis. Nevertheless, with Ummeed’s and later AFA’s mother child training programs, we saw a ray of hope and got to know the strengths we could built in our child.
With these two trainings as part of
his early intervention, his base became strong and he started to understand and
learn. Somehow his speech could not developed. It became a cause of concern when
he started developing behaviours due to lack of communication. He was around
10-11 years then. With his OT’s suggestion, I started using AAC app with him
and there was no looking back since then.
We started with LetMeTalk App(not available now) which he picked up easily within a few months. He communicates routine communication like needs, wants, choices, and other small communications in yes/no etc. through LetMeTalk.
Akshat is a keen observer and a strong listener due to his auditory needs. Music is his life and that helped him to learn many life skills too. He is mature and clear in his thought process and I only provided him a medium to express those thoughts.
After using AAC for a few years, I
felt that Akshat was ready for elaborate communication, which we could not do
through app. That was the time when I started working on his typing skills.
After systematically working for around two years, in 2020, Akshat started
typing in MS- Word. Now, we converse like any other mother-son duo. Akshat’s
speech is no more a constraint now. His candid expression on different topics
amazes me quite often.
As LetMeTalk is not available now, I
am introducing Avaz to him and switching to a new app is quite easy unlike what
I have thought of.
Last two years were overwhelming as I dealt both with his aggression and got remarkable changes in his communication and understanding.
Talking Fingers is an important
milestone of our journey as Akshat got an opportunity to self-advocate. Thank
you Archita Ma’am, Padma and Chitra for giving us this opportunity.
2. Q) Thank you Ritu, it was an honour for us to play a small role in Akshat's journey. Please share you advice to other Autism parents.
I have worked with my son mainly by
observing him. Where his strength and potential lies and what are his
limitations. Of course, guidance by my mentors, professionals and the online
programs that Akshat has attended helped us to reach here.
Though I am just like any other mom,
few things I feel worked while raising Akshat:-
1) Accepting him and his diagnosis.
2) A great mutual bond and trust.
3) Since childhood, I used to observe him keenly on his learning pattern;
limitations etc. and that helped me to work with him in a better way.
4) I found that analysing his strengths and challenges helped me to work in
an organised manner.
5) consistency is the reason that we are able to reach here.
1. Q) How old are you?
A.
I am 18.
2. Q) Where do you live?
I live in Vadodara, Gujarat.
3. Q) You love listening to songs, what genre do you prefer?
I like devotional, romantic, motivational, and patriotic songs. Though I listen to many songs, depending on my mood I keep changing the songs.
4. Q) Please share a few favourite songs with us.
A.
There are many songs, which I like. My choice keeps on changing.
Nowadays I am listening to Dil Chahta Hai, Bombay, Roja and Tare Zameen par
songs.
5. Q) Do you exercise daily? What exercise do you like to do?
Yes, I exercise daily. I like to do crunches because it helps me in balancing my body. Other exercises like Suryanamaskar, vrukshasan help in regulating thoughts.
6. Q) I hear, you help a lot in the kitchen. Please share a few details.
I love to make my breakfast. Also, I help mamma in kitchen by cutting veggies,
arranging utensil, putting dal in cooker and frying dal and vegetables. I sort
veggies, put them in bags and then in fridge.
7. Q) Do you make your own breakfast? Mention a few you make.
Yes. I make Vermicelli upma, Sooji Upma, Daliya etc. These items are my
most favourites.
8. Q) Do you like cycling? How often do you go for a ride?
Not that much but I ride because it is good for health.
9. Q) Do you like going to market for
shopping? A few details please
Going to market is tiring but I go sometime to have a change. It is not a fun but I deal with it.
Q) You are learning graphics art in MS-Paint. Share something about that.
I like doing that. It is easy to do and I am learning it. Thanks to Sarvanan Sir (of Amaze Charitable Trust) who taught me.
Q) Do you remember the first word/sentence you communicated using AAC or typing? How did you feel?
No I don’t remember. But using
Assisted Technologies for communication, changed my life. Now, I can express
myself and it is helping me in telling my thoughts. I think it is important for
people to know about how neurodiverse people think.
It was as if a miracle happened to me.
1 Q) You share your experiences through blog posts, please mention a few details
It is my mother’s blog. She shares our conversation and my poems there.
Following is the link to the blog:-
1 Q) Please share your future plans with us..
I want to be a writer. Writing gives me deep thoughts, sanity and inner
satisfaction. Sometimes, I do face challenges while typing like sitting for long,
going with very thoughtful process. My thinking is to come out of the comfort
zone slowly.
Q) This independence day, you were given given the honour to hoist the flag in your housing society. How was the experience?
This is perhaps the beginning of a mature society where inclusion is based on ability. But I think honour of flag hoisting is truly inspirational.
Q) How was experience of writing for the book - Talking Fingers?
It was an excellent experience. My
thoughts and views will publish. People need to understand neurodiversity as it
will bring acceptance and awareness. Talking Fingers throws light on the
thoughts, views and challenges of different non-speaking autistic individuals,
which would change people’s perception towards non-speaking autism and
neurodiversity. I would like to thank Archita Aunty, Padma Aunty and Chitra
Aunty for including me in Talking Fingers.
DISCLAIMER: The views expressed by the guest in this interview are their own independent opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views of the host and owner of the blog. Readers are advised to exercise their own discretion and seek professional advice where necessary.