Mishra continues boosting autism awareness in community

Mamta Mishra’s son, Parag, needed to get several cavities filled.

So, his mother called a local dentist. But they wouldn’t treat the now 28-year-old with autism when told of his development disability.

She was frustrated. It was yet another example of those in the community not understanding the condition that affects one out of 44 children born today.

That incident wasn’t the catalyst that started Mishra’s movement in Northeast Alabama, but it was a similar situation affecting someone with autism spectrum disorder, or ASD, a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain.

Many children with autism don’t speak or have other specific issues. Each case is different. But there is often a stigma surrounding the disease, and Mishra says it’s because people lack understanding of the disability.

And that’s why the mom with a master’s degree in special education launched her platform more than a year ago. This year, she’s spearheading the second Autism Spectrum Conference at The Venue at Coosa Landing in Gadsden.

But it is another venture that has many in the community even more excited. Mishra has purchased 20 acres of land in Gadsden’s City Council District 2 and plans to make a working farm/park out of it specifically for individuals with autism. Council member Steve Smith, who represents that district, is “super excited” about the idea.

“It’s a blessing she has the heart to do something like this for the city,” he said of Mishra. “It will create a world just for autistic children, a place where their parents don’t have to apologize” if a child has a tantrum or acts out because of the incurable disease.

Smith’s wife is an autism teacher, and he says you really must be around autistic children to understand them.

This year’s conference aims to do more to tell actual experiences through stories, Mishra said. There will be several professionals speaking, but also parents.

For instance, during the pandemic she was afraid she was going to lose everything she had been doing homeschool-wise with her son. But she ended up giving him some paint to fiddle with and now he’s painted the cover of the book she’s written about autism, "Autism: Our Journey and Finding Happiness.”

“Get them the tools and they will find their talent,” she said enthusiastically. (Parag also makes candles and natural body care products as a vocation.)

This year’s conference is being offered via Zoom as well as in person at a bigger venue to accommodate more people

Mishra has been busy since the last conference, attended by 103 people. She’s started the Autism Foundation of Gadsden, Alabama, which has a website stuffed with information for parents and professionals including teachers and medical personnel. There is also a Facebook page with even more info that is followed by 123,000 people.

Mishra says the site has been instrumental in her awareness campaign. “How do we share? How do we grow?” she said via Facetime from her living room this week.

Her life has been crazy busy recently with all she has going on. She’s been given an award by Mayor Craig Ford and done a TV interview. But she says it’s not about any of that.

“It’s about the kids and making the community aware,” she said

Mishra found a dentist to help her son, someone who understood his needs. That’s the purpose behind all of what she’s doing. She wants the community to take back what they learn from her efforts and apply it to those who suffer from the disease.

The conference is on Saturday. Register online and find the full schedule at www.asdofgadsden.org

For questions, email info@asdofgadsden.org.

This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Catching up with autism awareness advocate Mamta Mishra