Today is World Autism Day. But what does such a diagnosis mean for those affected, how do they deal with it, and how does their environment do that? A mother from Graz and her daughter talk.
When Rebecca was born thirteen years ago, her mother quickly realized that something was ‘different’. “She couldn’t nurse, and I couldn’t breastfeed her,” says Barbara Gottlieb. And: “She just never smiled.” Rebecca learned to walk late and spoke her first word at the age of three. Ever since she was little, she wouldn’t let anyone hold her, wouldn’t cuddle, wouldn’t give kisses.
Everything within the normal range
“It will be fine,” the doctors told me, and that everything was within normal limits.” In kindergarten she was also “different” from the other little ones, couldn’t connect, didn’t look anyone in the eye and held back. As if she was invisible. Or wanted to make himself invisible. It wasn’t until I was in primary school that I was diagnosed with autism. Not in a serious form, “but in such a way that it is socially noticeable. And that is also a social problem,” says the Grazin resident.
Source: Krone

I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.