The Insightful Advocate

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Meet Amitava Basu, a devoted classroom assistant at the Autism Society in West Bengal. The film unfolds with him showcasing his daily role assisting teachers in various student-related tasks. Amitava’s skills shine through his passion for singing as well. However, when he starts to sing, he is momentarily disrupted by the ringing of a phone. His visible distress at it reveals the importance of understanding the sensory sensitivities of a person living with autism.
Amitava further sheds light on the challenges faced by children with autism and the concerns of their parents. The film concludes with Amitava walking with his mother, Indrani, down a corridor, talking. Together, they embody the strength, advocacy, and love that characterize the journey of individuals with autism and their families.

My name is Amitava Basu.
I work in Autism Society as a Classroom Assistant and Teachers’ Assistant.
(And what kind of work do you do?)
The work that teachers give me to..to..to do for the class, for the class, as the works are needed for the class students.
Like paper cutting, pressing the punch machine in the paper and then putting the thread inside, these types of work.
Like, sticker, attaching sticker, then and drawing design on the paper.
Like, which are all the need basis of work.
Then also, I prepare some work, some work for the vocational unit.
I learn singing Rabindra Sangeet and I also like listening to music and
(Would you like to sing something?)
Which one?
(Anything, whatever you like)
Ehh, one, any, Bengali?
(Absolutely)
Okay
(Sings) Birajo, Shotto Sundoro, Mohima Tobo Udbhashito
(Phone rings)
My God, stupid phone
(So sorry)
No Problem
Since when you’re in a meeting and suddenly phone call?
(Yeah, I’m going to, I’m going to put this on silent)
Yeah
(I am so sorry)
Yeah
(Sings) Bishho jogoto monibhushono byshtito Chorono
Anando loke, Mongola Loke, Birajo, Shotto Shundoro
And it’s not only that I tell about, about disability about myself, I tell about Autism, about autistic children.
Some children have problem, they don’t have, they cannot express themselves about what they want.
Some autistic, lot of autistic children are very severe.
Especially, I mean, children who are non-verbal.
They cannot say anything, not even a single word that they can say.
Parents don’t understand, they think that Autism will get cured.
But it will never.
Autism will, will be in the long life.
And they get so worried about their children, when their children grow up, how are they going to handle their children, their children
When the parents will become old, where are they going to live…
I mean, there are going to arrange, there will be, there’s going to be arranged for some home for the disabled people
Because when the parents will get old, parents won’t be able to look after.

Smart Tags

Amitava Basu, Classroom Assistant, Autism Awareness, Autism Society, Sensory Sensitivities, Supportive Role, Singing Talent, Family Advocacy, Disability Awareness, Challenges with Autism, Parent-Child Bond, Autism Support, Daily Tasks Assistance, Teaching Support, Sensory Disruptions, Understanding Autism, Parent Concerns, Autism and Family, Love and Advocacy, Autism Journey, Autism Awareness Film, Challenges of Autism, Supporting Children with Autism, Inclusion in Education, Emotional Impact, Autism Sensory Needs

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