A step towards leading an independent life is what a group of individuals with autism aspire to attain as they opened a store selling products that they have made themselves.
The shop in Beleghata was inaugurated on Saturday — World Autism Awareness Day — to reinforce the fact that the individuals and their families strive for independence and not “sympathy”.
The shop will help them to communicate on their own and also earn financial independence, said the head of the centre, Pradip: Centre for Autism Management that has helped its students start the shop, outside their institute.
“Running a shop would give them the confidence to communicate, maintain accounts and also give them financial independence,” said Mallika Banerjee, the director of the centre. “Initially we will provide attendants who would assist them but gradually withdraw that help,” she said.
The students are selling products like masks, printed and embroidered handkerchiefs, photo frames, craft items and ground spices that they make at the vocational unit.
Earlier too they were selling some items, but the centre realised that it was not enough. “The products that they were making were being sold in-house. But it is not enough to make them independent. Opening a shop means they will have to deal with outsiders on their own,” said Banerjee.
The shop will be open from 11am to 4pm.
Students at a programme on World Autism Awareness Day in Beleghata
Some of the products on display
A mother, Baby Kundu, is happy that her son is associated with the shop.“I think it will make him self sufficient.”
A shop in the city run by individuals with autism will increase awareness of people, many of whom still lack the knowledge or are insensitive.
“When people keep asking whether an individual with autism knows this or that, with every question they are doubting their ability,” a teacher said.
For parents or families who have individuals with autism, the awareness has gone up but still it is a long way.
“The more delay there is in acceptance from the family the more it harms the child,” said Banerjee.
The centre now has children from the age of two plus to individuals up to 34 years.
World Autism awareness day special
A 20-year-old with autism typed out “I talk with my fingers”.
Until July last year, Aratrik Dey could only express himself through gestures or single words and much of it got buried. Now, he can express himself clearly, showed a three-and-a-half minute video at a programme on World Autism Awareness Day at Gyan Manch on Saturday.
The change was triggered by Aratrik’s use of computers during online classes in the pandemic.
“Until last year, despite having opinions of his own, Aratrik could barely express himself. Despite not being able to express himself, he kept himself updated through newspapers and magazines. He is now able to express himself by typing,” said father Mrinal Kanti Dey.
The event was organised by the state’s department of women and child development and social welfare in association with the Autism Society West Bengal.