Trauma and Autism: A Different Experience of War

   

    Much of the discourse around war-related trauma assumes a neurotypical experience. But autistic individuals often experience trauma differently. Traditional PTSD models do not always capture autistic burnout, sensory trauma, or shutdown responses—which may not look like the expected emotional reactions, but can be just as debilitating.

    War can amplify existing autistic traits in ways that make diagnosis and support even harder. An autistic person who becomes nonverbal due to trauma may be dismissed as unresponsive or ignored. Meltdowns can be mistaken for aggression rather than distress. Sensory overload in high-stress environments might be misunderstood as non-cooperation. In conflict zones, where survival depends on quick communication and compliance with authority, these misunderstandings can be dangerous.

    Despite this, research on autism and war-related trauma is almost nonexistent. Humanitarian and psychological interventions rarely account for neurodivergent experiences of trauma, leading to inadequate or even harmful support systems. Without recognizing how autistic individuals process and recover from war trauma, we risk erasing their pain entirely.

Displacement Without Accessibility: The Double Marginalization of Autistic Refugees

    Many autistic refugees struggle with navigating bureaucracy, advocating for their needs in systems that do not recognize invisible disabilities, or adapting to sensory-hostile environments in refugee camps.

    The lack of autism-informed humanitarian responses means that many displaced autistic individuals do not receive the accommodations they need. For those with co-occurring disabilities, such as intellectual disabilities or mobility challenges, the situation is even worse. How many autistic refugees have been left behind simply because the world does not account for them?

Autistic Strengths in Peacebuilding and Post-War Recovery

    While war creates immense challenges for autistic individuals, it is also worth asking: What if autistic perspectives could help in peacebuilding efforts?

    Autistic individuals often bring strengths that are undervalued in traditional conflict resolution settings—deep pattern recognition, attention to detail, a commitment to justice, and the ability to think outside of conventional frameworks.

    Post-war societies require long-term, structured rebuilding efforts, often centered around recognizing patterns of conflict and designing systems for sustainable peace. These are areas where autistic strengths could shine—whether in data analysis, forensic documentation of human rights violations, or reconstructing war-torn infrastructures in ways that are more inclusive and sustainable.

    There are also autistic individuals who have found ways to contribute to post-conflict healing, whether through advocacy, humanitarian work, or storytelling. Yet, their contributions are rarely acknowledged, and structural barriers often keep them from actively participating in decision-making spaces. Why aren’t autistic voices included in discussions about peace and recovery?

Rethinking War, Trauma, and Inclusion

    The global response to war and displacement must change. If humanitarian aid, trauma support, and peacebuilding efforts do not recognize neurodivergent needs and contributions, we risk perpetuating harm.

    A truly inclusive response to war means:

• Training humanitarian workers on neurodivergence and accessible communication.

• Redesigning refugee camps to accommodate sensory and cognitive differences.

• Researching autistic trauma responses beyond neurotypical PTSD models.

• Creating pathways for autistic individuals to contribute to post-war reconstruction and justice efforts.

    Autistic people are not just passive victims of war; they have perspectives, strengths, and experiences that deserve recognition. A world that values neurodivergent voices in war and peace is one that moves closer to true justice. It’s time to start listening.

The Brainy Me

 Metaphorical is my language!

My neurodivergent brain talks in metaphors

Little does it have filters

Rarely does it sit well with neurotypicals

They call it too complex

Irrelevant even

My metaphors are way too much

'I' am way too metaphoric

Or is it me being way too versatile?

Way too diverse for the neurotypicals to manage?

Are "brainy" & "smart" names for "not understandable"?

Are these to actually push me away?

Straight through space in a sweet little capsule

Ah, there goes me metaphor-ing

Hey, am I too metaphor-y for you?

Or am I simply too brainy/smart?

Or is it all the same to you?

Tell you what, it's not all the same for me.

Sometimes, I'm too brainy for myself

Too neurodivergent to manage

And my way of belonging,

Of reading between the lines,

Is METAPHORS!

Isn't that what you wanted?

A Me that's good at reading between the lines?

Then why?

Am I reading y'all too well?

Doesn't that sit well with you?

I wonder why...

Canvas of Change, A Review

    The ‘Canvas of Change’ virtual exhibition held on 11th July 2024 (4-6 pm), aimed to explore Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) through creative expressions. Organized by a 10-person team called the Youth Advisory Group (YAG) of Dasra and Pravah under the pan-Indian project of Youth Ke Bol, it was the self-selected graduation assignment of the 6-month YAG cohort. The whole project was anchored, over a period of nearly 2 months, by Prachi Tiwari and Nandani, promotional graphics and messaging made by Priyanka Panda, artist and audience mobilization by Usha Kumari and Reena Banjara, form preparation and artist management by Reshma Anil Kumar, powerpoint presentation made by Swastika Mahalaxmikar and scripted by Almas Zareen. Usha played a huge part in the Hindi translations throughout various stages of the project, and Almas & Priyanka came together for the facilitation of the exhibition, with Vishu and Swastika coming together for the documentation. The project was continuously scrutinized and supported by Puja Mahato, Aishee Banerjee and Aakriti P. of Pravah, and Milonee Parekh of Dasra. This two-hour exhibition featured 5 artists from various backgrounds. Like the real event itself, an introduction call with the artists and two dry-runs over zoom was done in the weeks leading up to the event.  

The first artist was Rhea Laskar (Rei), a demi-bisexual nonbinary person from Assam, disabled with cerebral palsy, AuDHD and auditory processing disorder. They exhibited two pieces – one, a writeup called ‘Gender Exploration: Letting Go of Social Expectations’, and two, a digital drawing titled ‘No One is Free Until Everyone is Free’. The 1-page writeup was quite personal and closely reflected how Rei's process of understanding their gender identity, sparked by a casual question from one of their closest friends. It portrays how we all try hard to ignore our discomfort to fit in, especially for very visibly disabled people like Rei who is already ostracized. The piece ends with Rei realizing that their comfort and happiness matter more than what others want or think. Contrastingly, the drawing is quite simple looking with an ‘eye’ as the centre of attention. The eyeball itself has its upper horizontal half coloured by a rainbow and the other half looking like a watermelon, which represents the Palestinian flag. The eyebrow has 5 piercings in the colours of the transgender flag. The eye is overflowing with red tears, expressing both menstrual blood and pain in general. Though all this represents various marginalized communities suffering, it also depicts these communities bravely standing up against their oppressors and fighting for their right to live safely with dignity. 

The exhibition was designed in such a manner that after the initial icebreaker, each artist was introduced by the facilitator who then passes on the mic to the artist to present their art. In Rei’s case, due to their disability-related speech issues, Reshma came forward to present their art. Once presented, the facilitators took over to seek insights from the audience through chat and occasional unmuting. This exercise is then concluded by the facilitators asking the author themselves about what the art really means and their experiences creating it. Adhering to this pattern, the next artist called upon was Ranu Singh. 

Ranu is a Menstrual Educator working on Menstrual Hygiene Awareness and Reproductive Health Rights in the schools and communities of Bihar for the past 3-5 years. He uses art, digital content, and storytelling to conduct workshops, events, and public awareness campaigns. His art included two original photographs – one with red handprints all over a white chart paper, surrounded by people standing around, on a red-carpeted floor. The second one is a photo of well-arranged diverse menstrual products, in the shadow of a window. It featured a sky-blue cloth pad at the centre, two bio-degradable pads in white and pink packaging to the top right corner, two tampons at the down right corner, one blue and one pink menstrual cup at the top left corner and an almost symmetrical solo stick of rose with leaves at the down left corner, with some of the petals plucked and spread on the cloth pad. While talking about Menstrual Hygiene Day 2024, Ranu also spotlighted the startling statistics of ecological damage single-use plastic sanitary pads cause. 

Following was a 17-year-old student dancer and public speaker from Uttar Kannada Kodibag Karwar. Pallavi Pandurang Kamble took up the complex challenge of explaining the life, relationships and emotions of a girl as she becomes a woman through a 1 minute 30 seconds' dance. Adorned by the audience’s remarks, she also expressed her pride in being a girl and becoming a woman and how much she enjoys it, despite all the struggles that come with it. This was in stark contrast with other artists who highlighted the darker sides that comes with being different or shrouded in shame. 

From here, the baton was passed to Krish Raj, a young filmmaker from Patna, Bihar, who is one of the 75 Creative Minds from the International Film Festival of India, a member of Bihar Youth for Child Rights, and an alumnus of the U.S. Department of State's Access Microscholarship Program. He presented his 6-minute film ‘N3’, recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO). This comprehensive film brought together the public, students and medical practitioners, their opinions and knowledge on safe sex practices, family planning, contraception and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs). The misinformation and stigma among the public and youth it presented further cemented opinions regarding the need for compulsory Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) in educational institutions amongst the audience. 

The final artist to enrich the exhibition was a prolific artist with diverse talents in paintings, murals, sculpture and installation. Indrani Acharya, based in Kolkata and Georgia, is nationally and internationally renowned through her participation in multimedia residencies, environmental conferences, and cultural exchanges. She presented two pieces, both themed ‘The Hope’, which uses mixed media on handmade paper, portraying the intricacies and challenges people may face in the SRH front of life. The first piece looks like a horizontal vulva with its labia stitched together. These stitches symbolized the physical and emotional scars one may live through while navigating the sensitivities of SRH in a world like ours. It also reminds one of practices like Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) which is still prevalent despite the era we’re living in. The second painting features several bark-like squares resembling a spinal cord. It suggests the interconnectedness of different aspects of SRH. This is then surrounded by black and white bandage-like crepe alternatively, signifying the constraints and limitations we face in terms of our SRH. 

By then, it was nearing the end of the exhibition, and we all thought it indeed is the end. But surprisingly, Priyanka came forward to recite a poem of hers that brought all the art pieces and concepts presented throughout the exhibition together. Though it visibly talked about sexuality exploration and lack of acceptance, its crux was of self-love which was the perfect cherry to top the Exhibition ‘cake’. 

The exhibition was an amalgamation of all that is often considered ‘shouldn’t be’, some more obvious and some others less obviously. But that was what kept the exhibition balanced overall. It, comfortably and realistically, coalesced anomalies and specialities that left much inspiration and food for thought! 

The growth of AI: What it promises? Jobless future or better opportunities?

    Growth of AI, at first glance, might seem like coming with the promise of a jobless future. But more detailed observation and analysis can shine light on the fact that it opens the possibilities for a more colourful and diverse future with the promise of new and better opportunities. AI shifts opportunities and careers from its traditional point of view to a sea of more sustainable alternatives. Like most other developments and inventions in history, as the demand for some skills inevitably decline, the demand for some others would increase. A notable difference in the case of AI with other historical developments is the reality that continuing education and upskilling needs to be accepted as part and parcel of striving forwards in a career and not just in starting out on one or transitioning to one. 

  

    Further, the increased frequency of historical innovations in today's age is evidence to the fact that AI and other forms of technology leads to innovation and, subsequently, productivity. Moreover, since innovation is often something that we cannot control or curb forever, we need to accept and access our inherent skill of adaptability and change with the changing times, while working to carefully and proactively lead that change to positive outputs and outcomes. 

  

    Using the power of AI and related innovations, we can instigate deep learning and structure algorithms to achieve the goals of sustainability that we continue to strive to and are incredibly short on time to accomplish, be it that change is slow or not. It's also to be noted that AI provides the opportunity to achieve sustainability in an inclusive manner by holding space and making facilities accessible for those who have diverse accessibility requirements. It also opens our eyes to the fact that sustainability is, in fact, a no go without inclusion which we often tend to forget, unless we stand facing the brunt of it. 

  

    Such accomplishments come with a requirement of large amounts of human effort to label and prepare necessary training data for supervised learning, like developing a curriculum. This is a challenge to solve to channel the fruits of those efforts effectively to other sectors to symbiotically benefit from. Hence, growth of AI is both a challenge and opportunity, but both can be viewed positively as a chance. So, at the end of the day, the promises of AI depend on how we perceive it. 

Biased media is a threat to the fundamental idea of democracy

    Biased media is an immense threat to democracy. This is evident from the often victim-blaming and/or victim-focused articles produced by most traditional media channels that bring unwarranted and unsolicited attention when the focus and the blame should be shifted to the perpetrators, facilitating free and just communication, a foundational principle of democracy, not to mention the threat from politically influenced/leaning media portals. Moreover, it's also a threat when media companies push down the true and sincere voices of journalists working towards justice or when political/governmental institutions unjustly persecute them. Such instances are also initiated often due to the interference of corporates/private institutions/faith leaders in the information dissemination process. This curbs the free flow of genuine news and stories, thus curbing the development of a healthy democracy. 

    When it comes to online media, though it seems neutral on the surface, the issue is complicated in a different way owing to the discriminatory/biased ways the algorithms of these platforms are designed by the people behind the screen. Moreover, often reporting hate and false information on online/social media is turned a blind eye to, thanks to the biases of people involved in regulating these reports, in result, curbing free flow of full and correct information ingrained with emotional intelligence. This also results in the silencing of so many voices that are already marginalized, effectively taking away the right to equality and right against discrimination of those marginalized voices. 

  

    Both these groups of platforms are also subject to misinformation and/or partial information due to many reasons, few of which involve biases and vested interests of people and/or institutions sharing such information. Though censorship might seem like a good tool to curb such instances from happening, it's a thin line to walk, often turning abusive and/or anarchical, leading to dangerous outcomes like the ones in Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and the religious crimes all over the country. Further, the lack of diversity in the traditional media sector, especially in high-level position is a huge and contradictory factor contributing the bias since there isn't enough representation of the diverse voices of the country in the writers, editors and censors who pen the story of these voices. This ultimately leads to a lack of understanding of context and the information shared being limited in its perspectives, providing little window for growth, another integral pillar to building a successful democracy. 

“The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.” - Martin Luther King, Jr.

    I believe that human morality is based on love and hate which is formed through social conditioning. So, essentially, morality and justice would mean different things to different people in different parts of the world at different periods of time. This shows that both are evolving concepts influenced by the aforementioned factors. Though, individually, love and hate are learned behaviors, as a society, the derived morality, definitely leans to justice since the root objective of morality is to establish justice, even with occasional setbacks. Therefore, the arc of morality is definitely long since establishing justice requires consistent progressive effort towards unlearning and relearning the social conditionings that form the basis of our love and hate, both individually and in solidarity. 

    As expressed by Martin Luther King, Jr.'s words, be it slowly, we're moving towards justice, which is expressed by the efforts, by young changemakers like me, towards fostering awareness and acceptance of differences by challenging age-old social conditionings and pre-conceived notions and, thus, redefining love and hate. For example, research has proved repeatedly that transphobia and homophobia are learned behaviours. This fact sheds light on the possibility of love for and acceptance of these marginalized communities through the mere understanding that we are as human and normal as any other cisgender/heterosexual person, consequently, leading to justice. So, at the root of the issue, the road from morality to justice is really simple, just that it's crowded with too many stakeholders, tears, stories and institutions drenched in love and hate, founded in personal interests. 

  

    Even then, achieving justice is not an impossibility because the tools we can use to do so can be something as small as small as sharing our personal stories in the form lived experiences, feelings and learnings. Small as it might seem, it can also turn into a bigger foundation for more elaborate tools, like Gender and Performance Budgeting, Media and Legal Advocacy, Policy and Programme Analysis, etc., aimed at achieving justice. But all these tools and the journey towards achieving justice is ultimately founded in human morality and the moral desire to present a better and morally justified society to our children and future generations where they can feel the true meaning of freedom by existing while being genuine to who they really are with ease. Ergo, change takes time, but it occurs. So, hope and work towards that hope.