A young boy's photo showing him kneeling on a chair to draw the world map has been an internet sensation as his photo has been viewed a thousand times online.
The shot was taken by a female student in a New York classroom. She said that the 11-year-old autistic kid is the son of her professor and the class was stunned when the unnamed boy stepped up on a chair to reach the board and recreated an elaborate world map including political borders, labeling some major countries and even some tiny coastal islands, all from his memory. She then gave the picture to her father. Being astonished, under the username bobitis, the father uploaded the picture on reddit and the rest is history.
"I just was amazed ... especially as a father of a child with similar attributes," bobitis said.
Researchers are still uncertain on how to give a definite explanation regarding this phenomenon, according to advocacy group Autism Speaks. However, they attribute it to potentially different hippocampal and amygdala brain structures, which are connected to brain memory.
Autism, also known as Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects their social interaction, behavior, communication and interests. Available expensive approaches include applied behavior analysis (ABA), structured teaching, developmental models, occupational therapy, social skills therapy and speech and language therapy. There is no known cure for the disorder. Even though some children recover through intensive treatments, it is still not known how often recovery happens.
People with ASD have been known to show amazing photographic memories, visual skills and spatial awareness, and sometimes are talented at artwork, music or math.
U.K. artist Stephen Wiltshire drew a crowd at the Pratt Institute of Art in Brooklyn when he recreated a 20-foot panoramic view of New York City from memory in 2009. His exhibit was in the Guggenheim Museum in New York City.
For twenty five years, the Autism Society has launched a worldwide effort to promote awareness about the condition and those afflicted. There were pictures all month long of people in different countries wearing blue to show support, especially on April 2 of this year when International Autism Awareness day was held. People online utilized the hash tag #LIUB to show their blue colors and their support on social media.
To show support visit Autism Awareness website and learn about how to get involved or how to donate.
