ASD: Each Child Can Make A Big Difference When Given A Chance

Experts say test cricket is the pinnacle of cricket. To be considered successful, one has to do well at tests be it a bowler or a batsman. Everyone talks about style, technique, grace, determination, swagger. We often talk about how easy and aesthetic the cover drive played by Brian Lara or David Gower or Mohd Azharuddin. We talk about the metronimic accuracy of a Glen McGrath, the whispering death, Michael Holding, the technical genius, Shane Warne, all champions.

But, is cricket not enhanced by the quirks like a Virendra Sehwag - a simple see ball hit ball man. A Shivnarine Chanderpaul with his crab-like stance and dogged determination with the weirdest batting technique shepherding a side in perennial decline. The wide-eyed snake charmer Muttiah Muralidharan also called a javelin thrower by Bishen Bedi and the magic web he wove around hapless batsman and more recently the unorthodox Jasprit Bumrah.

Why am I trying to relate these guys to autism? You see, all these guys succeeded in life despite their differences and their unique way in which they approached the game. They have over time made the sport richer and only added a dimension that by enveloping different attitudes and styles, everything becomes richer and better.

So are our children, young adults with autism. They perceive everything differently from others. So are they from planet Zod?
The simple answer is No. They are like us, they experience and learn differently. At times they communicate differently, some don't speak, some speak a lot, some keep repeating and so on and so forth. Some talk continuously about their interest, some get interested in most uninterested things, but all of them like all of us need friends, need acknowledgment, need encouragement and can make a small difference when given a chance.

So, if you get to know someone with autism, will you extend an arm out and become a friend? Will you include him or her in your team assignments? Will you become their voice and mentors?