"Too young to worry, Too old to smile"

We usually spend Sundays with my parents, enjoying lunch and some family time together. Yesterday was no different. We packed our Sunday basket early and set off on a warm winter morning. The day was filled with laughter, playful moments, and jokes. By the time dinner ended, everyone was exhausted. The drive home was quiet, and no one spoke for a while. Then Anvit, my 7-year-old neurotypical son, broke the silence from the front seat beside me. Anvit: “What does ‘psycho’ mean?” Me: “It refers to the working of the mind, like in the words ‘psychologist’ or ‘psychotherapist.’” Anvit: “Oh, okay. Then who is a neurologist?” Me: “A neurologist is someone who studies how nerves work.” I paused briefly, considering how best to explain this to a 7-year-old, and continued: “Think of ‘neuro’ like the wires running in a car. For everything to work properly, there are wires connecting parts of the car to the central control unit. Now imagine ‘psycho’ as the control unit itself, deciding what...

Every parent dreams of raising a child who will grow into an independent adult. For most, this journey is filled with milestones—first words, first steps, first day of school. For me, as a parent of an autistic child who is non-verbal, independence looks a little different. It isn’t about memorizing alphabets or reciting nursery rhymes. It’s about teaching him how to ask for water when he’s thirsty , how to tell me when he’s in pain , how to chew his food properly so he doesn’t struggle with textures , and how to navigate the world in a way that is meaningful to him . This is not about “fixing” him. This is about understanding him . Moving Beyond Traditional Interventions There is no single therapy, program, or intervention that works like a magic spell. What works for one autistic child might not work for another. My child doesn’t fit into neat little checkboxes of what “should” work. That’s why I am looking for an integrated approach—one that acknowledges his unique needs, streng...

If Avu could speak his mind, I am guessing some of the below would be his words... Hi there, I’m seven, and I’m autistic. Some call me non-verbal, but trust me, my brain is anything but quiet. Words don’t come out of my mouth the way they do for you, but in my head, they’re a symphony—sometimes a rock concert, sometimes jazz, and often just pure chaos. As we step into 2025, I hear everyone buzzing about resolutions. Neurotypical folks have this tradition of promising to become "new" versions of themselves every January 1st. Honestly, that sounds exhausting. Me? I’ll stay delightfully me. But if you’re curious, here’s what I’m planning for 2025, straight from my mind to yours: 👉 Master the Art of Eyebrow Sarcasm - Did you know you can say a lot with just your eyebrows? Watch out, world. This year, I’m fine-tuning my eyebrow game. It’s my way of saying, “I see you, I understand you, and also, you’re being ridiculous.” 👉 Communicate Through My Favourite Things - You m...