Getting to know the families of our co-authors has been a memorable experience for me and I hope you are as inspired as I am! Carrying forward our journey, let's meet - Gautam Panda and his family, Swarnalatha and Dr. Chitta Ranjan Panda and the sister, Bhavna.
It was quite shocking when our 22yr old son Gautam(Chinu) was first diagnosed to have ‘Autism’ around the age of 2 and half years of age when he did not develop speech and had lack of socialization and communication. Although Gautam’s father is a doctor himself, we had little idea then about ASD. We we’re absolutely clueless about how we are going to deal with the child and his future. The initial part of raising our son, teaching him socialization, meaningful communication and fitting him is a school environment was the most difficult part of the journey. Subsequently after complete acceptance of his condition, we have started working on different aspects like controlling his hyperactivity, improving his focus in areas of his interest like sporting activities, expressing his thoughts by typing in computer etc. where his mother has the greatest role. Besides Gautam’s mother has formed a parent association and a therapy center under ‘Manage Autism Now(MAN) Trust’ to keep Gautam and the other Autistic children engaged in different activities along with various therapy as a part of their special need. She has a lot of future plan also for making a dedicated center for home stay and rehabilitation of the autistic children.
2. How did you develop communication skills in Gautam..
Since Gautam is non-verbal, we first started to make him respond to verbal instructions in our mother tongue Odia as well as in English. It in fact took many years for him to respond appropriately to our commands as well as to other caregivers in our Therapy center. Besides we encountered him to type his feelings on a computer, which he is doing in spite of taking a lot of time to do so.
3. Please share about the hurdles you faced and how did you overcome them..
We tried to take him to a normal school for formal education, but it was difficult for him to sit in the classroom, and also difficult for other children and teachers to adjust to his behavioral problems and tantrums. So we taught him at home, and subsequently his mother established a therapy center for carrying out various activities with other children affected with ASD, with the help of specially trained therapist and educators. All the children in our center have improved a lot.
4. Please share your advice for other parents.
Our advice to other parents is first to accept the child as he is, and to know that their children are much more intelligent, greater perception of things than most of us and have great hidden talents. Parents should work hard with passion and dedication in recognizing their special talent and nurturing them, to make them self confident and give them happiness and joy. Whenever possible, form a peer group for these children to engage them in group activities which they like. This is a life long mission which every parent should be prepared to undertake with positive attitude and dedication.
Now, let's chat with the star of the interview - Gautam
1. How old are you, Gautam..
I am a 2001 born young boy, called by my nick name 'Chinu' by all my family members, school group and well wishers. It souds cool to me.
2. Please tell us about your school..
I love my school " Autism Therapy Centre" near Sikhar chandi hill and temple, lovely environment, big, airy, well lighted class room, just suitable big playground, cool garden. I enjoy all stretching activities like yoga, dance, outdoor games, especially running. I don't enjoy sitting activity class like art and craft except water games.
3. What are your favourite subjects/topics Chinu
I like thinking a lot and talk to you all. Yes, reasoning studies I enjoy.
4. Please tell us about your hobbies. What inspires you to write..
I love running under huge open sky like a bird. I enjoy playing cricket, tennis, football, also jumping sports. My cool thinking, environment, nature and of course my strong Mama, Nalini aunty, Usha aunty and few more inspire me to talk.
5. How do you spend your day..
I go to our Kalinga stadium at 4:45AM and return by 7 AM with my Kabi uncle and play most of my games, specially enjoy my running on the synthetic track. Around 1PM, I go to my school with Mama, Kabi Uncle and return by 6PM. Then enjoy my shower bath, music, mail and talks with my family members.
6. Do you enjoy going on vacations, please tell us about your recent or favourite vacation..
Definitely, enjoy outing on vacation. Recently, Phulbani trip was good. We enjoy school family picnic also.
7. What is your preferred mode of communication - writing/typing. Please share a few details.
I only communicate through talking on my desktop key board. Yes, sometimes by pointing few articles even.
8. How was the experience of being a co-author in Talking Fingers book..
I don't know exactly but I like to answer questions always.
9. Your thoughts on how communication is more important than speech..
Look, I need me to talk through my key boars with you all to understand, feel my wishes, needs and feelings, always. I can't do it when not in my control due to my uneven neural impacts on my skin and mind.
A sibling plays a crucial role in the Autism family and this interview would be incomplete without getting to know Bhavna, Gautam's sister :
1. Please tell us about your work and hobbies..
Hi. I’m Bhavna. Chinu’s elder sister by 8 years, 2 months and 10 days. Chinu calls me Guddi Nani. ‘Nani’ is elder sister, in Odia language. I am a doctor, pretty much introverted. My hobbies include reading miscellaneous subjects and topics, photography and discovering new genres of music. Gautam (or Chinu, his nickname) was my only prayer answered. I had always yearned for a younger brother. A constant friend and presence. Growing up with Chinu taught me the value of presence over futile, endless conversations. It taught me how to coexist in the same space, do our respective stuff without getting in each other’s way. I learnt ‘parallel play’ before it was theorised as a concept.
2. How was the experience of growing up with Gautam..
Growing up with him has made me more empathetic as a person. I learnt to put myself in another’s shoes, imagine where they are coming from. Chinu got me out of my own head. Before him, I did not know how it would be like to always look out for another person. The camaraderie of sharing every meal and snack. Putting their comfort and convenience over one’s own. It took him a while before he got accustomed to sitting near me. Responding to me. Once he got comfortable, there was no looking back. I never used to go to the gents’ section for shopping before him. Growing up with him made me less awkward, and more assertive. I read more and more about neurodivergence and resonated with a lot of observations. There was never a lonely moment when Chinu was around. His effortless happiness and inexplicable joy brightens up my mood more than he could ever know. He is the best thing that has ever happened to me.
3.Please share your advice for other siblings..
The interpersonal dynamics between siblings would always be different, subject to a lot of innate and environmental factors. The stability of family structures, individual equations with parents, social circles and so on. My only advice to others would be to cherish them. Because they are irreplaceable. If there is one person who has lived through, and weathered through all the madness and the highs and lows of your family - it’s your sibling. They take after you. They look up to you. It’s very rare to have a constant person in your corner. Your sibling would always be. So have their backs, no matter what. Amidst all the chaos in the world, it helps to be each other’s anchor. Take more pictures. Make more memories.
God bless you dear Gautam and may all your dreams come true. Want to meet and get to know 16 such awesome non-speaking autistic individuals? Grab our book - Talking Fingers, it's available on all Amazon stores worldwide HERE
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.
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