Source: Kiyokiyo (@kiyokiyokingdom) - used with permission

Manga details how a mother tackles life with her high-functioning autistic son

A conservative society, Japan has struggled with stigmas surrounding disabilities and developmental disorders. However, headline events in recent years are underlining the importance of acceptance and equality.

Most notably, disabled individuals are pushing for greater providence in the aftermath of the Tsukui Yamayuri En massacre. A number of recently elected politicians like Sawako Naito are uplifting the role of the disabled with working to disband stigma. Developmental disorders like ADHD are also gaining in terms of public awareness.

Overhearing a Conversation

Recently, illustrator and manga artist Kiyokiyo (@kiyokiyokingdom) was out with other parents and guardians from her child's nursery school. While enjoying a drink, she overheard a conversation and had to respond.

Reproduced with permission from Kiyokiyo (@kiyokiyokingdom)

Reproduced with permission from Kiyokiyo (@kiyokiyokingdom)

Reproduced with permission from Kiyokiyo (@kiyokiyokingdom)

Reproduced with permission from Kiyokiyo (@kiyokiyokingdom)

For parents facing uncertainty after such a diagnosis, this manga must provide some much-needed assurance. Indeed, Kiyokiyo's post had over 40,000 likes and about half as many retweets. Many readers related their experiences:

  • “If an affected individual and their parents don't recognize the condition, the child will grow up wondering why they are different from others. It will be hard to start treatment later in life.”
  • “Children with developmental disorders often want to cry and get their parents to recognize their condition.”
  • “My child has a developmental disorder. I was actually relieved when I finally found out.”
  • “To recognize a disorder in your own child, you have to research properly. It's difficult but necessary.”

It seems developmental disorders have also effected many other families.

You can see more manga by Kiyokiyo on her Twitter page.

By - Luke Mahoney.

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