When dreams are the call "mom"

(Baothanhhoa.vn) - Not expecting their children to be successful, not dreaming of great things, the dream of many mothers with autistic children is just to hear the clear call of “Mom!” once. But to reach that moment, they have spent many years silently sacrificing, being a mother, a teacher, and a companion on the journey to help their children escape the “silent world”.

Teachers at Phuc Tam An SpecialEducation Center - Nhu Thanh Branch responded to World Autism Awareness Day (April 2).

The doors seemed closed

Ms. NTT in Thieu Giao commune (Thieu Hoa) used to be an accountant with a stable income but had to quit her job when her son - LHN was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at the age of 2. The boy did not speak, did not respond to sounds, and often sat alone spinning around objects. "At that time, I just hoped that one day my son would know how to call me mom. But I waited forever... there were still only lifeless eyes and prolonged screams," Ms. T. confided.

From that day on, the mother and daughter traveled to intervention centers every week. The cost of more than 6 million VND/month was beyond the means of a farming family, but she did not dare to give up.

The story of Ms. LTM in Quang Hung Ward ( Thanh Hoa City) is also a heartbreaking slice. She recalls the first months when she discovered her child had unusual signs: "At the age of 3, LTNM did not call her mother, did not make eye contact, and only repeated a few meaningless sounds." After many examinations, the final conclusion was that her child had a mental language disorder. For her, it was like a heavy "sentence". There were times when she was so desperate that she thought about ending everything with her child. But then maternal love pulled her out of that abyss, forcing her to stand up to continue accompanying her child on the most difficult journey of her life.

In the same situation as Ms. T. and Ms. M., Ms. LTH in Ben Sung town (Nhu Thanh) experienced a period of crisis when her 3-year-old son still did not know how to call, was afraid of sounds and completely avoided the eyes of strangers. "My child is not like other children, and I did not know what to do other than cry," she choked.

It's a common feeling for many parents of autistic children: confused, isolated, and exhausted.

In fact, behind every special baby is the shadow of an extraordinary mother. They do not need praise, do not expect sympathy, just a ray of hope to hold on to the dream of hearing their child call. That dream is not as far-fetched as becoming a doctor, engineer or scientist . It is simply a sound. But to them, it is a miracle.

"Bridge" brings joy

In the early years of a child's life, especially for children with difficulties in language, behavior, emotions or communication skills, the most valuable thing is not only a properly directed intervention program but also a place that understands the child with heart and accompanies them with empathy.

Blue Sky Special Education Center has become a trusted destination for many families. Here, each child is considered a special "individual", with their own development speed and different personal needs. The therapy programs at the center are not stereotyped but flexibly adjusted to each child, from sensory development, pre-school skills to communication, behavioral and emotional adjustment. The therapy space is designed to be warm like a family, where children are listened to, accepted and gradually open up to connect with the world. Currently, the center has expanded its operations to many localities to better meet the needs of parents and students. The main facility is located in Quang Thanh ward (Thanh Hoa city). In addition, two other facilities in Truong Son ward (Sam Son city) and Kim Tan town (Thach Thanh) are also operating effectively, serving hundreds of children in need of early intervention in the area.

Along with the Blue Sky Center, there are many other specialized centers that play an important role in "pulling children out of their own world". Phuc Tam An Specialized Education Center is one of the prestigious addresses in the field of early intervention for children with developmental disorders, especially autistic children. Currently, the center has 6 facilities including the headquarters in Thanh Hoa City and branches in Hoang Hoa, Nga Son, Nong Cong, Nhu Thanh, Cam Thuy with hundreds of students. The center accepts children from 18 months to about 9 years old, the stage considered the "golden" stage for intervention and rehabilitation.

Every small gesture is a stepping stone on the journey to recovery - helping autistic children connect with the world (Illustration photo).

With a team of experts from Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa... Phuc Tam An not only provides diverse intervention programs such as behavioral therapy, speech therapy, personalized education, but also accompanies parents in consulting and guiding skills to support their children at home. In particular, the center regularly organizes free community programs to assess, diagnose and guide early intervention for children from 18 months old, and at the same time train preschool teachers in skills to support special children. With the mission of spreading understanding and love, Phuc Tam An is becoming a trusted address for many families with children having difficulties in development.

In addition, in the whole province, there are also specialized centers for children with developmental delays such as: Naruto Center (Trieu Son), Tue An (Quang Phu, Quang Tam), Ban Mai Xanh (Nong Cong town)... The centers are all making efforts every day to maintain the best quality of treatment under many limitations.

On the arduous journey of mothers with autistic children, what they need is not only a treatment center, but also understanding from the community, schools, healthcare and the media. They do not need pity, but practical support policies, an inclusive learning environment, and sincere companionship from hearts that know how to listen...

And when the doors gradually open, when the child looks at his mother and softly says "Mom!", it is not only a moment of love bursting forth - but also the crystallization of months of not giving up.

Article and photos: Tran Hang

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/khi-uoc-mo-la-tieng-goi-me-oi-251057.htm