A Collage of the Authors Who Contributed to ‘Talking Fingers’ | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

In my mind, i’m hopeful that in time to come I’ll be able to control my thoughts. I can’trol my movements always, so others may think that I don’t know things. Suppose you ask me to brings something; Despite Knowing Exactly What is Being Asked, Sometimes My Body Does Not Obey My Command.

This is 21-year-old aratrik dey, a non-speaking youngster in the autism spectrum expressing Himself in the book Talking Fingers – Voices of Indian Non -Speaking Autistics,

While Aratrik’s Father Malay Kanti dey, Says He Cannot Measure His Joy At His’S Writings Being Published in this Book, He Feels Sad Too. “This book reminds me that all these years I used to introduce my son to the public as an autistic and intellectually disabled boy. Every time I used that phrase, his heart must have broken into a Thousand Pieces. I’ll keep this book with me forever, not to forget this melancholy and joy even for a moment. “

Talking fingers

Co-Edited by Padma Jyothi and Chitra Paul, Talking fingers Features 16 Non-Speaking Autistic Individuals Whose Responses to a Set of 17 Questions Display to the World Their Thoughts on MyRiad Subjects. The book’s foreword is written by a non-vebal person with autism, Chandima Rajapatirana, Co-Founder of Ease Foundation Sri Lanka.

Editors of the Book Padma Jyothi and Chitra Paul | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

As parents of non-spekeing Autistic Children, Both Padma and Chitra Have Read Books of Collated Writings from this Community, Published in the West. Says Chitra, these books have been helped us to better under Children and Support them in Developing Alternative Modes of Communication to Share his life experiences. Since we were connected to other non-speaking autistics and their families here in India, we decide to bring out a book which was a collage of thoughts of thoughts, opinions and shared experieces from the autistic individuals Themselves. With their live experiences, we consider them to be the real experts on autism. “

Adds padma, “Generally, the books in this genere are in the form of essays. Question Chapter-Wise.

Aac and beyond

The primary means of communication for autistic individuals have been the augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) System which uses sign language and pictures to reflex. Hitherto Limited to Understanding their basic needs, aac is being explred to help autistic persons effectively communicated and grow to becoming writers, blogges and poets. From here emerged the 16 autors of this book.

Another Author Akshat rassay’s communication began from the need to express Himself. He writes in the book, “Communication Changed My Life Forever. Earlier my sentiments could not be expressed due to a lacked of communication. Now, as I Started Communicating I am confident and feel mature. ”

For Akshat’s mother ritu rassay, it was a liberating experience to see her Son’s name as a co-author in this book. “When he started expressing Himself through aac and typing, I could see a brain with mature and clear thinking. His views, thoughts and opinions often mesmerise me. This book Gave Him a Chance to Introduce Himself as a Human Being Who Thinks, Expresses and Argues about a range of topics beyond the label of autism, “She says.

Another Author, 17-YAR-old Navneet Kulkarni Writes in the Book, “Autistic People Can Read the Mind of the People but they Fail to Express it in A Right Way and A Right Way and Their Way of Communication Is Different.”

Non -specking/unrealiable speakers constitute 30 – 40% of the autistic spectrum of the neurodivergent population, informs chitra. This section of the spectrum is derided much more and often categorized as cognitively and functionally incapable or ‘low functioning as they are referred to. “This view is being challenged intensesly in recent years. Many non-speakers have emerged from his “prisons of Silence” to quote my son using alternate means to communicate. They are forcing the world to return the existing paradigms of autism. ”

Reading minds

Padma shares that reading books written by autistic individuals have helped her immensely. ‘It shed light on many aspects of my son’s differenties. Thought there many many such books worldwide, the question that often arose was – why don’t we have books like this in India? It was from this space that this book originated. It’s high time we stopped making assumptions and learn from autistic individuals; It’s time for us to listen and for them to lead the way. With the help of aac, they can shatter the myths surrounding non-speaking autistics and show the world their potential. “

Padma and chitra feel overwhelmed by the positive response to the book which was an eye-opener for many. “We hope this book is just the beginning of more inclusion of non-specing autistic individuals into the mainstream spaces in India include schooling, Higher Education and Relationships,” Says Chitra.

Padma and chitra are working on a hindi version of Talking fingers To Reach People Across India. Informs Padma, “We also plan to publish a second edition of the book with a few updates. The impact this book has on young parents is immense; Just imagine how the lives of these children will blossom as they receive the Necessary Support and Encourage. We want our Talking fingers Family to grow as we continue this book as a series. “