A Journey of Perseverance:

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 myself in helping my child navigate the physical world, a thought struck me—he was adapting behaviorally, but what about his cognitive growth? While he was mastering routine activities, was he developing the ability to understand, respond, and express himself? That realization set me on a new path—the search for an inclusive or special-needs school that could provide the right environment for his holistic development.

The Search for Inclusion

The next three months were spent visiting numerous inclusive schools, special education institutions, child development trusts, therapists, doctors, psychiatrists, and psychologists. Each meeting offered insights, yet none led to a definitive solution. I found myself back at the starting point, but with a newfound clarity: if I wanted my child to become independent, he needed exposure to a social construct.

The Path Forward: Understanding Social Constructs

Independence is not just about performing tasks; it is about understanding one’s place in a group, recognizing emotions, and responding appropriately to social cues. This realization shaped a progressive roadmap:

1. Exposure to a social environment – Social interactions are essential for learning, adaptation, and emotional development.

2. Understanding group dynamics – Functioning within a group requires recognizing roles, expectations, and shared experiences.

3. Developing emotional intelligence – Recognizing one’s own emotions is the first step to understanding others.

4. Self-regulation and control – Managing actions and reactions is key to effective social interaction.

With this structured vision, I turned to occupational therapy focused on life skills and emotional recognition. The goal is now broader than just behavioral routines—it’s about preparing him to navigate the world with confidence.

The Journey Continues

Looking back, it is easy to feel disheartened, realizing that after months of effort, we are still working on the basics. But now, the path forward is clearer. Every small achievement builds toward the larger goal of independence.

This journey has taught me that progress is not measured in leaps but in consistent, small steps. And while we may be back at square one in some ways, the direction is unmistakably forward.

For any parent navigating a similar path, know this—clarity doesn’t come overnight, but persistence, patience, and love will always light the way.