| xpression ‘developmental disability’ | | | | not essentially deaf. Chances are that they would not |
| stands for the kind of impairment that interferes with | | | | pay any attention to what you are saying for a very |
| a person’s ability to perform one or more | | | | long time and then suddenly react to your talk with a |
| vital functions of life. Since such disabilities are of | | | | smile or even a hearty laugh, or by simply saying |
| extremely serious nature, they might adversely | | | | something in reply to what you said. They may not |
| affect the affected person’s ability to earn | | | | even respond to the sound of their own names at |
| an independent living. Autism is one of such disabilities. | | | | times. But then, on other occasion you might find |
| In an autistic child, the symptoms are quite visible | | | | them looking bang in your face if you called them by |
| right from the time when he or she is three years | | | | their names. |
| old. | | | | The basic reason for their not responding is not that |
| In most of the cases, these kids have difficulty | | | | they do not ‘hear’ but that they are |
| speaking and cannot speak clearly. An autistic child is | | | | too self-immersed to take note of what you said. At |
| much of loner and does not enjoy playing with other | | | | such occasions they cut the external inputs out and |
| children. He prefers to stay alone and play all alone. | | | | take no cognizance of what is being spoken. |
| They often confine themselves to a small corner and | | | | Autistic children are difficult to manage because of |
| keep playing their very own games, which might look | | | | their unpredictable behavior. They might be an |
| very strange to an outsider. | | | | impressive picture of tolerance on one occasion while |
| They do not light bright light or loud noise, and if | | | | on the other you might find them extremely irritable |
| subjected to such disturbances, they might react | | | | and short tempered. |
| rather violently. | | | | The best way to get along with them is to be |
| Many a time, when you are speaking to them, they | | | | patient, receptive and willing. So, far there is no cure |
| wouldn’t even pay attention to what you are | | | | for autism. Therefore, all that we can do is wait. |
| saying. You might take them for deaf. But they are | | | | Wait, patiently. |