The tenth interview in the Talking Fingers series features a poet and an artist, Joseph Kurian. This young man's love for languages is unique as is his style of expressing his thoughts. Throughout the interview, you can see his poems and artwork. Let's start by chatting with his mom - Jeena
Q) Would you like to share your Autism journey with our readers with a special focus on developing communication skills in Joseph...
I am Jeena, Joseph mother. I can say , it was really challenging, yet innovative journey, moving and developing Joseph with his autism spectrum. Joseph was diagnosed as autistic at the age of 4 from CMC vellore, India. I tried allopathy, ayurveda and homeopathy with Joseph.all treatments helped Joseph in some aspects, but couldn’t make a salient change. At the age of 7, I could find that he can prompt alphabets and communicate. First few days were really thrilling and I could understand that Joseph knows many things, like extended family members, also science, good knowledge on environment. I used read for him from the age of three because he loves that. I couldn’t believe when he wrote his first poem,
Coconut tree is tangent
Coconut tree is utopian
What a long stem you own
What a nice tree you are
But it was only a starting. Sensory problems are very high in Joseph. That is the major challenge. Communication with Joseph helped me a lot there. Doctors and therapists helped me, but Joseph ideas only really helped me to support him. He still sensitive to sound, light, people around etc. but our bond making our lives better.
Q) Would you like to share your advice to other Autism parents..
My advice to parents is that even though working with autistic is challenging and may not get results quickly, keep holding on to therapies and first, most important part is finding a way to communicate with the child. Then we can move with them better. Most of them have high intelligence, so they support us in their own way to get our life also better, only thing is don’t cling on to conditioned concepts of the world. I don’t say break all the rules of of the society, only say to think little differently to take autistic values also into our family and build a better society. They have a lot to contribute, so help them to do that.
Now, let's meet the star of the interview - Joseph
Q) How old are you?
24 years old
Q) Where do you live?
Live in Bangalore
Q) When did you start to communicate? How do you communicate?
I started communication at the age of 7. I do communicate by typing on a keyboard.
Little pretty flowers
For awesome decorationsParty or sobbing
Serene or pervert
Apology or admire
Flowers more to render
Q) Please share a few details about your love for languages..
I love languages. Using the YouTube lectures, with Bluetooth headphones, “ annoyed by sound torture” , I learn languages. Through languages, enormous cultures, thoughts, oral expressions are portrayed. Good language skill is the pre- requisite for learning. Animated alphabets in mind and virtuous hand to express, we can opt for poems, philosophy or physics.
Pliers as belt for nail slippers
You too go horrible race on itTeaching humankind
Optimism in pain
Q) What is your favourite language? Why?
Persian, because it is the basic of all languages.
Q) I hear you enjoy reading poetry in many languages, please share your favourite poets with us
I love Persian poems. Rabindranath Tagore is my favourite poet. Next is William Shakespeare.
You taste tea to refresh mind
Refresh heart is our daily need Through Love
Q) What genre of music do you like?
I love Persian songs
Q) You are also interested in physics, history, philosophy. Please share a few details with us.
I love philosophy most. Our moral ethics in society is portrayed in that. I love physics because our aspirations, movement, owe - entire ponder immortal in it. History knowledge of our planet is to plot goals for future.
Q) Do you enjoy painting? What medium so you use?
Yes. I use acrylic paint on canvas and sketch books, wood paint and acrylic on pots.
Q) Are you learning to play keyboard? Any other instruments?
Yes learning keyboard and no for other instruments.
Q) Would you like to share your future plans with us?
My main goal is portray our life values, joy ,aspirations , yet ponder on secrets of cosmos.
Q) How was the experience of writing for the book - Talking Fingers?
It was nice. My portals are lighting, anticipating- on future goals, omitting our disabilities.
I hope you found this interview as inspiring as I did. To read the thoughts of sixteen such wonderful non-speaking autistics, please purchase our book - Talking Fingers. It is available on Amazon
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.
