Gone are the days when parents of autistic children had to run from pillar to post to get help to bring their child into the mainstream. They knew that diagnosis and intervention at the right time would help their children. But how to intervene after diagnosis was the big question. Allaying every fear, new technology has come into their midst like a messiah, thanks to ‘Insight’, a Thiruvananthapuram-based firm which has revolutionised the rehabilitation of autistic children.
“They need to be told everything repeatedly,” said Nila Ethel, centre in charge, Insight. “After a point, we human beings get tired of repetition, but not technology, especially computers. It can easily cater to their textual, visual and auditory preferences. We make software which can be used depending on the needs of these children,”
If some children are able to communicate verbally, others may not. If some can communicate through pictures, others do it by hearing. Insight produces software for every use. For instance, if they show affinity towards written words, they are taught using a textual software.
The story of Sherin Mary Zacharia, a 13-year-old girl, who has published three books, is a befitting example. She was diagnosed with autism when she was three years old. Her parents took her to the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bangalore. “The doctors asked us to dedicate our time fully to teach Sherin. Set her small goals to achieve and never leave her midway even if we find it difficult. And we discovered that Sherin had an affinity for the written word. It was at this juncture that we came across a Linux-based software package called Gcompris, produced by Insight. Apart from that, Insight gave links to related websites,” said Sangeetha John, her mother, who lives in Kochi.
Sherin was taught basic computing skills. Gradually, if she was given a graphic of the human body, she would carefully arrange every body part in its correct position without making a mistake. “Now she can communicate well. If she needs something she will write it in the palm of my hand,” said Sangeetha. Though Sherin is comfortable with English and Malayalam, her mother says she loves the latter. “Now her speech has improved a bit. I can see the change every day,” she said. “For a mother every change, however small, is a big win.”
Dr Manju M, mother of Ishaan, a four-year-old, has a similar story. “Ishaan loves gadgets,” she said. “And the software, which he uses, is colourful and this could immediately catch his interest. We use Insight software and, thankfully, he speaks well and studies in a normal school.”
Since Insight’s inception in 2010, 150 children have benefited from their service. Currently, they provide direct support to 50 students as well as training and software packages to four centres in Thiruvananthapuram and two in Tripunithura.
