Iva is the second girl child in their whole clan. Her family was so delighted at her birth that they distributed sweet among the whole villagers. She is very adorable to her uncles and the other family members. They live in a joint family in Chouras colony, Kustia, a small village far from the town. Her father is a driver by profession and her mother is a housewife. 10 years old Iva has been diagnosed as a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder .She is restless, speaks unclearly, listen to heavy metal rock music with high volume and keep dancing and dancing.
Her parents first became worried when she could not learn to walk even at the age of 5. She also had speech disability and she was not responsive to stimuli. Then the villagers suggested them to do a vow in the local temple in front of their house. Since, there was a rumor that all wishes come true if any one goes to that temple and wishes with vow. Despite being a Muslim, her mother went to that Hindu temple for the sake of her little girl and made a vow that, if her child could walk, she would donate some milk and batasha (kind of local sweet) to that temple.
Her parents first became worried when she could not learn to walk even at the age of 5. She also had speech disability and she was not responsive to stimuli. Then the villagers suggested them to do a vow in the local temple in front of their house. Since, there was a rumor that all wishes come true if any one goes to that temple and wishes with vow. Despite being a Muslim, her mother went to that Hindu temple for the sake of her little girl and made a vow that, if her child could walk, she would donate some milk and batasha (kind of local sweet) to that temple.
Finally, Iva learnt to walk at the age of 6, but she rarely talked or played with the other kids around. Then her parents took her to the capital city Dhaka for better treatment. After necessary screening and diagnosis the doctors concluded that she is different than the other similar aged kids, she is special. All the family members became solemnly worried and could not determine their next step. They were a lower middle class family and were not much educated; they felt helpless and started to roam around for suggestion.
They have been passing miserable moments being so helpless; they saw that their child couldn’t understand anything at the age of 6, so restless that couldn’t stay in a place for a minute and everybody neighboring were used to call her ‘mad’. They went to several doctors and tried different medicines, but nothing happened. They literally lost hope after all their effort went in vein.
Later, one year ago, one of their acquaintances told them that there is a school for such kids at kustia town. They went to that school one day and admitted her there. Earlier, she could not do any of her daily activities herself like, toileting, dressing, eating etc. before admitted at that school. Her family amazed, relaxed and became hopeful again at her improvement within only a year that now she tries to do all her daily works herself. It’s not the reality that she can do all those properly every time but she tries and wishes to do all by herself. They never could even think of such tremendous improvement at all, however, it happened. Perhaps they don’t know that this miracle has already happened to many other special children.
Iva had suffered bitter experience from her surrounding people and thus lost trust on them and started to became afraid of everybody else her close family members. However, she started to change since she went to the special school. Now she wants to play with the other kids around her, likes her school and teachers very much. She loves red color and she would definitely buy red dress whenever she goes for shopping with her mother. She likes to use cosmetics and makeup her face very much.
All the family members are very loving towards Iva. They are only two sisters and Iva is younger. Her elder sister reads in class 9 and she wants to be a journalist in future. She knows that one day she will have to take care of Iva. Therefore, she is preparing herself to be able enough to do so.
Her mother firmly believes for sure that the almighty God has definitely kept some good things in the whole matter. She rears some ducks and hens to bear the medical and other expenses of Iva. She tried her level best to fulfill all her needs like red dresses, cosmetics etc. She never wants to hurt Iva in any way.
Her family firmly believes that almighty God has sent an angel to their house, so, how could they mistreat her.
Iva, a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
She often stays alone
Iva, at her school
She doesn’t like to share her stuffs
Her own way to reject anything
Bonding with father
Her ultimate support is her mother
She continues dancing for a long time with high volume heavy metal rock music
She loves to makeup her face
Sweet moment with family
