Nothing short of supernatural, with an intent focus where their tears become their action and problem-solving. Unable to process and reciprocate empathy, emotional connection, and social skills, either in words or body language, or the combination of two. And yet in possession of purest of hearts with no deception. Behind the aloofness, layered is intent emotion driven out of true self and ready to respond to other real selves. And if you indulge in the lack of awareness, empathy, and understanding, it is completely your loss, because it is you who is incapable of seeing through all the façade and reaching out to the core of infinite love and emotions, one that harbours in the absolutely amazing individuals, the ones you term as being ‘Autistic’.
They say, ‘There is always a new beginning’, and that is what happened with Dr. RupaShree, Founder-Director, of MothersTouch Deoghar. A woman who journeyed through resilience, revolution, and triumph, perfectly personifying women empowerment, to build an abode of happiness and contentment residing in the form of her abundant love, care, and commitment to the children in her school and the overall well-being of her school premise with utmost sincerity, MothersTouch. Dr RupaShree, through her dedication and hard work, had carried forward her venture to fresher scales from a beautiful journey that had begun on 14th November 2004. Celebrating children all along, the school MothersTouch Bachpan Playschool gained popularity in town over the years and to accommodate the enthusiastic students, parents, and teachers’ constant requests, newer sections of the school were added to the school occasionally. RupaShree has always been a staunch supporter of girl power and to commemorate her contribution towards providing equal access to opportunities and education to girl children, she was conferred the prestigious ‘Rashtriya Shiksha Ratan’ award on the 49th annual conference of Indian Economic Development and Research Association (IEDRA) held on October 11, 2008, at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi for her contribution in the field of girl child education. MothersTouch Bachpan Playschool grew in leaps and bounds and acclaimed several franchisees all over the country ranking a proudly brimming 3rd rank all over India in the year 2008. At the pious occasion of the Raksha-Bandhan celebration, the children of MothersTouch Bachpan School were invited to the Prime Minister’s House and received the honour of tying Rakhi to then Prime Minister, Mr. Manmohan Singh. In the year 2014, the school, under the capable guidance of RupaShree, attended an event in Thailand by a reputable NGO. Dr RupaShree received the Bharat Gaurav Award in the same year. RupaShree always possessed an eagerness and altruistic tendency to help and support vulnerable people from harm and exploitation, and in this quest, she volunteered her spare time to several NGOs. RupaShree always understood the significance of extending the required care to every child at their nascent stage of life with all kinds of abilities and special abilities.
In the year 2010, a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder was brought into her school which made her realize the importance and necessity of inculcating the value of accepting children with special abilities into the daily lives and activities of everyone else around them in families, communities, and society. Providing a substitute home to all the students in the comfort of her school MothersTouch, RupaShree initiated Autism Awareness by embracing the strengths of every child. The school dedicated a specialized batch for differently abled children as more and more autistic children began to join the school. Inspired by the innovative solutions and efforts of the school towards leaving a mark on the mindset of people and driving desired change in society, renowned and bestselling author Jyoti Jha has dedicated her upcoming book, ‘Beyond Spectrum: Positive Parenting’ as part of the autism awareness program of the school. The cover of the book was launched at the prestigious Bihar Hindi Sahitya Sammelan in the eminent presence of Honorable Chief Guest IPS Vikas Vaibhav, President-Bihar Hindi Sahitya Sammelan, Dr Anil Sulabh, Dr Madhu Verma, Vice President, Bihar Hindi Sahitya Sammelan, Dr Archana Tripathy, Writer, Professor, and Poet, Nitish Raj, Founder-Today Digital Magazine & Co-Founder of Literia Insight, Mohan Kumar Jha, Saimona Creations & Chief Coordinator of Let’s Inspire Bihar Gujarat Chapter, Author Jyoti Jha, and Dr RupaShree. A reputed production house in Mumbai, Maulik Films has recently begun shooting a documentary on the autism awareness program of MothersTouch and the inauguration of the same took place recently in Deoghar.
Understanding Autism begins at a young age, and there is no better place than the classroom and an educational setting to start’. Everyone accepts normal children but the art of embracing a child with special abilities with similar zeal is yet to be learned by society at large. A developmental disability caused by differences in the brain, Autism Spectrum Disorder is a genetic condition. While scientists believe multiple causes of autism combine to cause the development of this disorder, there are several unknown factors. Causing a complicated condition that includes problems with communication and behaviour, ASD is a broad term used to describe a group of neurodevelopmental conditions. Autism impacts education and employment opportunities and raises demand for families to provide proper care and support. Family awareness and societal attitudes towards proper care, concern, awareness, and support for increasing cases of ASD are important in determining the quality of life of people with autism and the ones around them. At the core of a caring society, we need to work together to influence meaningful change in initiating an ethos that not only accepts autism but also opens a wealth of opportunities for those with disability. MothersTouch is all set to continue serving society with their good deeds and helping create a new beginning towards positive parenting and spreading awareness for Autism Spectrum Disorder!
