Autistic Pride Day – My Neurodiverse Friend And I Are Not That Different | Bookosmia
Hey, Sara here with my new friend, Madhav.
Madhav is on the autism spectrum. He does certain things differently that get me thinking, but I realize that we are ‘not that different’ after all!
Today is Autistic Pride day! 12 year old R S Anandita, a Bookosmian from Chennai writes a powerful essay about what it means to have a friend on the autism spectrum.Autism is not any kind of superpower! Autistic children are not that different.
I have a friend who is different from me and I don’t treat her any differently. We both do the same kind of stuff that neurotypical friends would do.
Since my friend is on the spectrum, I would:
• Not judge her actions
• See her as real
• Not urge her to enjoy whatever I do because if I do she will start to feel like an impostor
• Be there for her
• Raise hope for her future
I want to tell you about my friend who is on the spectrum.
I met her in my 2nd grade, but since I wasn’t cognizant about autism those days, I didn’t give much importance to her. I frequently saw her sitting quietly in one corner and not talking to anyone.
Once I reached my seventh grade she was in my class again! Coincidence, of course! As days passed I came to know a lot about autism and special children.
Then I started conversing with her and liked her a lot! Days went on and my half yearly exams were nearing and my teacher asked me to pair up with her and help her study. I agreed enthusiastically! We both studied together in the free time and had a great time.
Sadly, the exams got cancelled due to covid but I am hoping that she is empowering herself and making use of this lockdown.
During certain days, I would see her getting bullied by the children in my school and she would start to cry. My friends and I would console and confront the children and make them understand her situation.
I also remember my birthday where she gifted me a sweet note with a photo of both of us! I revere that gift!
Here’s to many more years of our everlasting friendship!
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About the author-
Something About Me by Aditi Sowmyanarayan | Not That Different | Autism Awareness
Hey, Sara here with my new friend, Madhav.
Madhav is on the autism spectrum. He does certain things differently that get me thinking, but I realize that we are ‘not that different’ after all!
15 year old Aditi Sowmyanarayan, a Bookosmian from Bangalore opens up about the way she sees the world. Three cheers for our beautifully diverse world! #NotThatDifferent
Do you want to read an awesome comic strip about my friend Madhav and me? He has autism and I am learning so much about the way he sees the world as he enjoys learning about mine. Check it out here :
About the author-
My New Friend Has Autism And I See Her | Not That Different | Autism Awareness
Hey, Sara here with my new friend, Madhav.
Madhav is on the autism spectrum. He does certain things differently that get me thinking, but I realize that we are ‘not that different’ after all!
Akshita is a student of Bhavans B.P Vidya Mandir, Trimurti Nagar(Nagpur).
I saw her,
sitting, hesitating, on the first day of school;
while others flaunted their eyebrows,
they appeared cool.
I beckoned her with a cheer, but her body language told a ”no”.
Her eyes were awfully beautiful, I marvelled at them.
She noticed me, a little annoyed ’cause of my recent attempts;
I was curious,
to listen to her voice was my only tempt.
I wandered back home,
“‘It isn’t just autism,
the society isn’t cooperative too’.”
I felt in my bones.
I do not know about others but;
I saw her.
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Have you checked out ‘Not That Different’ – India’s first comic strip about neurodiversity? See it here :
https://bookosmia.in/ndt_cartoon/not-that-different-comic-strip-1/
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About the author-
Vibrant Digital Art by 10 year old Shagnik Sett | Not That Different | Autism Awareness
Hey, Sara here with my new friend, Madhav.
Madhav is on the autism spectrum. He does certain things differently that get me thinking, but I realize that we are ‘not that different’ after all!
Today, I am delighted to share the vibrant digital artwork by Shagnik who is on the autism spectrum.
10 year old Shagnik Sett is from Bangalore. He is a student of Perseverance School, Sahakara Nagar Branch, Bangalore.
Congrats to Shagnik and his mom Sujata for his wonderful art work and we may he go far with his love of coding.
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Shagnik’s mom, Sujata describes him as adorable, caring and cheerful and a music lover
Shagnik is a self learned digital painter who uses MS-paint, Tux Paint and Paint 3D to create art
Shagnik does only train paintings as he is fascinated by them and has tremendous knowledge of trains too.
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Stay tuned in for the ‘Not That Different’ with Sara and Madhav, a children led movement towards a world more accepting of neurodiversity.
Want to get published on this global writing platform and become a Bookosmian? If you are the parent of a neurodiverse kid, simply write to us with their name, age, city and images of their creative output.
My world is very different and yet it is the same… Art by kids | Autism Special | Bookosmia
Hey, Sara here with my new friend, Madhav.
Madhav is on the autism spectrum. He does certain things differently that get me thinking, but I realize that we are ‘not that different’ after all!
I am delighted to share the wonderful artwork and equally beautiful thoughts of my neurodiverse friends, in this section.
15 year old Aditi Sowmyanarayan is from Bangalore and is on the autism spectrum.
Aditi goes to Ishanya India Foundation.
Aditi says, “My head is full of thoughts and words that do not necessarily get expressed the way I wish it to. My world is very different and yet it is the same world we live in.
They say a picture says a thousand words. My art is the window to my mind and my world.”
Aditi’s mom Shwetha Srivathsan shares, “Aditi goes to a learning centre called Ishanya India Foundation in Bengaluru. The year 2020 was a very unique one which took away Aditi’s understanding of structure and replaced it with something new. She has been a part of online classes which have ensured continuity in learning. Attached artwork are from her online art class at Ishanya.”
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Watch out for soon-to-be-launched ‘Not That Different’ with Sara and Madhav, a children led movement towards a world more accepting of neurodiversity.
Want to get published on this global writing platform and become a Bookosmian? Here is how to-
‘Saying bye to Diwali, with these most special wishes’- by 9 year olds Abhijan Chakraborty and Ujan Chakraborty from Birmingham, UK
Hey everyone, your best friend Sara here!
Deepavali came and lit up our lives, just when we needed it most.
Thanks to all my wonderful friends, for sharing their joy and excitement with me.
I cant think of anything more special than these wonderful handwritten messages from 9 year old twin brothers Abhijan and Ujan Chakraborty from Birmingham, UK. Both Abhijan and Ujan were diagnosed with ASD, ADHD and Severe Learning Disability at the age of two.
Special call out to their mom for raising these two fine young boys. May their light shine brighter than most!
Many thanks to Little Writer’s Studio for sharing their messages with us, along with the beautiful Madhubani artwork of their artist Swapna.
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Hey, your friend Sara here again! If you are parent of a neuroatypical child, please feel free to send any of your child’s creative work to sara@bookosmia.in, from the messiest artwork to the shortest poetry, I am all ears!
For others who want to get published on this global writing platform, please visit our
https://bookosmia.in/submit-a-story/