This is a guest post written by Ms. Archita Basu, an Autism parent and an eminent Autism specialist who has completed her M.Ed. Autism, Inclusion and Special Educational Needs from University of Birmingham, UK and worked in many prominent posts in UK before coming to India. She has guided many parents in finding ways to ensure their children reach their potential. She has graciously agreed to review our book. Both Chitra and I are grateful to her for her support. Here's her review:
Talking Fingers Review - The Revolution Begins
In a culture which eulogises verbalisation and elevates propaganda to a false art, the book
Talking Fingers sheds light on another way to be human/e and I would argue shows the
transformative power of a pure human heart shorn of artificial trappings and a " blossoming "
spirit which never gives up.
These are " honest and straightforward" reflections from the true autism experts , the only
experts who matter as they give insightful replies to a series of thoughtful questions posed
by the Editors, Padma and Chitra . We need to hear these voices , one author poignantly
reveals that when he learned the "expressive word pain" he was in a" dancing mood". It
shows the depths of their courage and resilience to overcome the challenges of an often
disorderly body - they triumph through their voice of the heart, the talking fingers which do
more than talking and light up the way to a better and more gentle and humane way of
being.
As an autism parent ,a keen reader and learner , I have been engaged with autism for the
last 20 years . There has been such a massive influx of books and articles showing the
increase in knowledge. Yet in spite of this increase in scholarly scientific articles albeit with
their focus on impairments , I find that personal testimonies and reflections provide a
profound understanding of what autism truly means. It is a deep heartfelt inside out view
which matters and that is why the two mothers and editors Padma Jyothi and Chitra Paul
deserve plaudits for laying the genesis of this book and to the sixteen knights in shining
armour, the contributors and authors who have shared a part of themselves.
The chapters are from authors who own the stories, who have provided a series of
remarkably deeply personal" cathartic" reflections in response to the thoughtful questions
asked by Padma and Chitra. These aren't professional tools for someone looking for
scholarly evidence based practice. Shorn off academic trappings but true to life and
honouring a powerful way of being, this is the greatest offering and strength of this book.
The gallant authors go on busting many autism myths , a key one that non speaking does
not equate to non thinking and their words leave us with a thought that it is often the so
called neurotypical population experiencing difficulties with imagination ,communication
impairments and lack of empathy as they routinely underestimate the strength and resilience
of the deeply "extraordinary minds "of non speaking Indian autistic young people. The effort
and advocacy presented in this book is soul stirring. Their authentic accounts are left
untouched. You will revisit its pages again when you seek inspiration...Talking Fingers has
touched me in a powerful way and I hope that it will touch you too.
Archita Basu
Thank you so much mam for this awesome review. You can purchase the book from:
