Kita Sama: An Equality for Autism

"If they can’t learn the way we teach, we teach the way they learn” –Dr. O. Ivar Lovaas.

There are a lot of stigmas in people mindsets towards children with autism. People in Indonesia perceived autism as a taboo. People tend to underestimate their ability and see them as a strange kid, that autism is an illness. Besides, children with autism have different ability compared to normal children. Recent studies found that children with autism have a strong memory and great focus on doing one thing. There are many factors that affecting this phenomenon, one of the factors is the lack of knowledge and information towards autism itself.

On Tuesday, 28 February 2017, Interface BPN and Optima Media under management of NAVAPLUS Group launched a program called KITA=SAMA which consists Photo Story-telling competition and Color Drawing competition. KITA=SAMA aims to deliver a message to the society that children with autism or special kids have the same chance with normal children to achieve their dreams. On its debut day, an afternoon talk and discussion with speakers, which are David Wibowo as President Director of NAVAPLUS Group, Rani Karina Basri as Community Marketing Director of Interface, Saskhya Aulia Prima, M.Psi as Psychologist from Tiga Generasi, and also the judges for the competition, which are Maya Sujatmiko as an artist of Artsphere, Willy Yoh as Photography Enthusiast. Some sharing session and insightful stories in how raising an autism child with Ferina Widodo which has 23 years old child and Mr. Harris which has 22 years old child also a part of this event. The competition will be held for a month or less and the winner will be announced on May 2017.

KITA=SAMA has received positive responses from the audience that participate in the press release event on Tuesday (28/2). They are agreed and support this event. They also believe in the value of this event that children with autism have the same chance and should be treated equal in order to achieve their dreams.

Mrs. Elisa Koraag, a woman blogger, feel that this event give her so many information towards autism. She learned a lot in how autism should be handled and treated, also she also learned in what kind of support that we can give to them. Informative speakers, one of them is the young psychologist, Saskhya Aulia Prima, who also give some understanding about autism in general.

“Autism is not an illness but an obstacle to do something, especially in interaction and communication,” said Saskhya.

Mrs. Elisa found that autistic has sincere heart and have no intention to do bad thing. Mrs. Elisa said that autistic should have suited treatment for autistic and do not differentiate them with others. Mrs. Elisa also encourage people to be active to search a lot of information about autism, to open their eyes towards autism, and be more sensitive towards their surroundings. Mrs. Elisa wants to share her experience and knowledge that she got from this event to other people through her blog. Hence, she also contributed to support this event to continue educate people towards autism.

The same opinion goes to Mrs. Melly, the moderator for this event, which also a radio announcer in Jakarta. Mrs. Melly said that from this program we can raise awareness to people that autistic has the same right to achieve their dreams with any other kid. She said this program give a space for children with autism to channel their different ability, especially in arts. Mrs. Melly reminds us not to be afraid to search for information. Because ironically the proverb “Tak Kenal Maka Tak Sayang”, and “Malu Bertanya Sesat di Jalan” really happened in nowadays. Mrs. Melly hoped this program can be the source of information, and be a platform for autistic to reach their dreams.

KITA=SAMA program is a space for autistic to create works and channel their dreams through art. From the Color Drawing Competition, children with autism can deliver their messages or their creativity through drawing and painting. While in Photo Story-telling Competition that addressed for relatives who has autistic in their life, to inspire people with their stories about autistic. Mr. Willy Yoh also hoped that from the competition, it can give people new perspectives of autism and people can finally see autistic as the same person as we are, that autistic is still human.