I’ve been reading a lot of stories about the success of many parents who have struggled to communicate with their autistic children. It is heartwarming indeed, to know that their efforts and frustrations have culminated in discovering that their loved one is a fellow human being with something to say, something to learn, something to […]
I took this photo at the Brooklyn Developmental Center, Brooklyn, NY. Michael was assigned here temporarily as part of the re-assignment of Willowbrook[1] residents, before he was housed in a group home. The photograph is illustrative on several levels. Photographically, it seems clear that Michael is the center of attention. He is different than the other characters […]
The term autism was coined in 1912 by psychiatrist Paul Bleuler, who combined the Greek words ‘autos’, meaning ‘self’ and ‘ismos’, meaning ‘action, or state of being’. The resulting word, ‘autism’ therefore, means the state of being absorbed by one’s self.[1] This differs from self-absorption, or willful selfishness. Every baby concentrates on getting […]
I tried getting the whole family involved in my project to document Mike’s life. Here is a portrait of all of us. There’s not much more to say. It speaks for itself.
I was less than 4 years old in this picture. I’m the short one. I looked up to my big brother back then. It was just the two of us at that time. As much as I try, I can’t remember what it was like. I can remember what it must have been like. I must have […]
Normally, I’m pretty sensitive. I have a lot of trouble taking pictures of people. When I used to take photographs in New York City, I concentrated mainly on street scenes and architecture, seldom on people. I didn’t have the courage to confront people with my camera. Whenever I took pictures of people on the street, […]
Mike was calm most of the time. Sometimes he would pace back and forth. At times he would grab my hand and take me to a door he wanted open, or to the refrigerator. He liked to sit. Occasionally he would stand in front of the sofa, and fall back. If you were behind him, […]
Mike was a very popular guy when I used to visit him in his group home. I imagine that he still is. Pretty good for a guy who doesn’t talk. When I lived close by, I frequently got calls about Mike’s condition, usually if he had a seizure or a cut or a bruise. He […]
What is it like to be Michael? He doesn’t have language skill, as he has never spoken. If he thinks at all it is probably not in words. If Michael imagines, how does he do it? Is it visual? His visual equipment is not like mine. Mike’s eyes seem to be independent of each other. […]
This is how I remember most of the moments between Dad and Mike. Dad, although tireless, seldom connected with Mike. Was it Mike being rebellious or uncomprehending? I know that I rebelled at times. Did Dad expect too much and demand that things be only his way? Was he the uncomprehending one? When I used […]
