"Too young to worry, Too old to smile"

Eight months ago, I took on a role I never imagined would redefine my life—the primary caregiver to my non-verbal autistic child. The journey has been anything but linear, filled with triumphs, setbacks, and moments of deep introspection. The First Steps: Building a Routine At the outset, my focus was on the fundamentals—helping my child build a structured routine around daily life activities. The initial goals were simple: encourage independent eating, transition out of 24-hour diaper use, and introduce basic dressing skills. Progress was painstakingly slow, but over months of relentless effort, small victories emerged. My child now remains diaper-free throughout the day and independently uses the bathroom. He can eat rice with a spoon, though breaking bread remains a challenge. He has learned to remove his clothes but is still struggling to wear them. Each milestone was a testament to patience, repetition, and consistency. A Deeper Realization: Beyond Physical Routines As I immersed ...

Friends can play a crucial role in helping parents of special needs children, especially when there is also a neurotypical child in the family. In my opinion, here are some practical ways a friend circle can help. I certainly need most of my village to step up and ask. Its ok if you don't know what to do, even i didn't - we will figure it out together! 1. The "Babysitter" Friend – Offering Respite 🌟 Offer to watch the special needs child for a few hours so that the parents can go out or rest. Even just a few hours of quiet can be rejuvenating. 🌟 If they are comfortable, learn about the child’s routines, triggers, and calming techniques so you can be a reliable backup. 🌟 Even coming over to play with the special needs child while the parents take a break at home can be helpful. 2. The "Big Brother/Sister" Friend – Taking the Neurotypical Child Out 🌟 Plan a day out with the neurotypical child—movies, sports, or even a simple park visit—to give them...