The many colours of autism
"Autism is a spectrum disorder and like the colours of the rainbow everyone with autism is different."
Breaking the social stigma attached to autism and highlighting the importance of its early detection in children was the message of Autism Awareness Month this April.
Nirasha Dhaniram, a Ballito psychologist and mom of an autistic child, ran awareness campaigns and a Rainbow Walk for Autism at Moses Mabhida stadium last weekend.
“Our hope with these activations is to create an understanding and acceptance of people with autism.
“We chose the Rainbow theme this year because autism is a spectrum disorder and like the colours of the rainbow everyone with autism is different,” said Dhaniram who is the director of the Imbalito Hope College and Connect Special Needs Joint Forum.
“We ask the community to be patient with children who have autism – they are not naughty and should not be excluded in any way because of their differences.”
She urged parents to be vigilant of their child’s behaviour and development.
“My advice to parents is to seek help early if you see developmental problems, upskill yourself and remain positive.
Early detection and diagnoses makes all the difference. Characteristics of autism may be: difficulties in social
interaction; nonverbal communication; repetitive behaviours and differences in sensory perception.”
Dhaniram’s 16-year-old son, Mikhail has autism and was her inspiration to start the conversation about this often misunderstood neuro-developmental disability.
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