A child or adult with autism is a picture of mercy. It is the curse of the worst kind for the parents who have the responsibility of raising that child.
The child requires an unusual form of social interaction, communication, and pattern of behavior that is the moment-to-moment problem for his caregiver. Constant vigilance and care is required for such a child. Unfortunately, the number of these children is not limited, but the number of research and facilities to care for these children is limited.
Each case is different and each case is special. Therefore, the researchers cannot provide any clues about its regulated treatment.
Such children have communication problems and in many cases these problems are quite serious. Their potential to learn is also limited; sometimes they can’t even understand the basics.
In many cases, it is not a question of high or low intelligence. It is mainly a processing disorder of visual processing or auditory processing. Both complications are equally difficult to address from a day-to-day functional point of view. It is known as sociobiological condition.
People with learning disabilities can only be addressed to a certain extent. But if this is combined with self-injurious behaviour, it is dangerous for both the individual and the carers. What contributes to this self-injurious behavior? Give any reason for that – sociological, environmental, psychological or physiological – but really it’s all groping in the dark. Three decades of research in the field have provided scientists with no clues.
When I talk to you about the nature of some of the self-harm activities, the seriousness of the situation will become clear to you. They bump their heads, rub themselves to the point of bleeding, scratch to the point of injuring a particular part of the body, and bite their hands.
Without a general pattern and general remedy for such behaviors, the role of caregivers becomes important. In each case, the approach would have to be compassionate in order to understand the reasons for such behavior. Somewhere the environment around the child hurts him. Therefore, try to protest in various ways. He doesn’t know the difference between harming himself and harming an object or individual in front of him.
Therein lies the tragedy. Therein lies the crux of the problem.