A Father’s Journey with Autism- Chapter 19

In this blog, I will recount Simi’s journey as a young girl navigating the hurdles and difficulties in her early adolescents.

As our daughter navigates puberty and evolving social dynamics, the need for support grows. Scarce resources for autistic adolescents leave us feeling adrift. Without guidance, she faced increased risks of mental health issues and social isolation. Access to services is crucial for her well-being and community engagement.

Some of the major issues faced by Simi are as under:

1. Social Interaction: Difficulty in understanding social cues, making friends, and engaging in reciprocal social interactions. This had led to feelings of loneliness and isolation.
2. Communication: Challenges in verbal and nonverbal communication, such as difficulty expressing needs and emotions, understanding sarcasm or figurative language, and maintaining conversations.
3. Executive Functioning: Difficulty with organization, planning, and time management. This had manifested as  she struggled with completing tasks, transitioning between activities, and adapting to changes in routine.
4. Emotional Regulation: Difficulty regulating emotions and coping with stress or frustration. This resulted in meltdowns or behavioural outbursts when overwhelmed.
5. Repetitive Behaviours: Engaging in repetitive movements or rituals, like pacing while talking to herself, provided her with a sense of calm. However, these behaviours posed challenges for her social interactions and learning. Despite their soothing effect, they hindered her ability to engage fully with others and participate effectively in learning activities. Finding a balance between her need for self-soothing behaviours and their impact on social and educational development remained a constant consideration.
6. Academic Challenges: Difficulty with academic tasks, such as understanding abstract concepts, following instructions, and focusing on tasks for extended periods. Specialized educational support was necessary to address these challenges.
7. Bullying and Stigma: Increased vulnerability to bullying and social stigma due to differences in behaviour and communication. This had a significant impact on her self-esteem and mental health.
8. Access to Services and Support: Limited access to specialized services and support, including therapy, educational accommodations, and community resources. Accessing appropriate support was challenging due to barriers such as cost, availability, and stigma.


To address the aforementioned challenges, we encountered numerous struggles and took the following actions:

1. We implemented structured social skills training to assist her in grasping social cues, fostering friendships, and participating in reciprocal interactions. To achieve this, we accompanied her to community parks and various social gatherings, actively encouraging her to engage in events such as Durga Puja, Holi, Diwali, and more. Her participation in solo singing during these gatherings proved to be instrumental in her growth and development.
2. We provided communication support, including visual aids and social stories, to help her express needs and emotions. For outings, we gave detailed plans in written social stories with pictures to ensure clarity and understanding before leaving home for shopping or other activities.
3. We initially implemented strategies like visual schedules and checklists to aid her organization and time management. For instance, we created a daily routine with scheduled study, TV, mobile, and Wi-Fi time. However, we struggled to maintain consistency, impacting her behaviour significantly. This inconsistency highlights the need for ongoing support and adjustments to better meet her needs and promote positive behaviour.
5. We introduced coping strategies to help her manage emotions and stress, including deep breathing exercises, mindfulness techniques, and sensory-based calming activities. Additionally, we incorporated yoga and music into her routine, hiring a classical music teacher. Classical music along with light music served as effective therapy, aiding in overall improvement and stress management. These interventions contribute to her well-being and emotional regulation.
6. As part of an inclusive school environment, she had the opportunity to engage in intra and interschool competitions. Excelling in puzzles, she represented her school in an international competition in Lucknow, where she garnered several awards. Simi showcased remarkable puzzle-solving skills, completing 240-piece puzzles in just 20-25 minutes. Participating in group activities and taking the stage for performances significantly elevated her confidence.

Amidst these myriad challenges, however, lies a resilient spirit and unwavering determination to thrive. Simi possesses a unique perspective and a wealth of untapped potential waiting to be unleashed. With the right support, understanding, and opportunities, she has the capacity to defy expectations, shatter stereotypes, and carve out a meaningful and fulfilling life for herself.

To be continued………………..


Author

Srinibash Mishra