When a Child Cannot Speak, We Must
Children are society’s most vulnerable. And autistic children? Even more than “most.” A few nights ago, a friend shared a video. A horrible incident. In it, a so-called special educator
April 1, 2025
Children are society’s most vulnerable. And autistic children? Even more than “most.” A few nights ago, a friend shared a video. A horrible incident. In it, a so-called special educator
“Krishna, big, black eye!” And Krishna burst into peals of laughter. My cheek was against his and I peered into his eye. His comically huge, shiny, black side eye. My
“I’ve seen many autistic children, but none like Krishna! Please admit him for 2 weeks in a psychiatric hospital.” When Krishna’s neurologist said this, she saw him at the peak
Does love need a spoken language? The gaze holding yours with such power that your soul is laid bare… The scent of that little head, sweet despite hair tangled with
Let me tell you a story about parenting guilt. “Krishna, say bye to me. I’m going to the hospital. I’ll be back by evening.” Krishna was hiding under his comforter.
“Little one, won’t you smile for me?” Her eyes twinkled, and her smile held more warmth than the summer night outside. Her hands held Krishna’s firmly, but gently. Krishna stopped
Watching your child hurt themself takes your feeling of helplessness as a parent to a different level. Krishna had a horrible weekend, and so did his parents. He was in
Part 12: The Future I began this series in response to my son Krishna’s frustrating hospital experience. I am surely not the only autism parent to have gone through something
Part 11: False Cures, Real Vulnerability “Can’t we do SOMETHING, Doctor?” Trying to find an answer to that question, after Krishna was diagnosed as autistic, we went for a second
Part 10: The Gut, The Brain, and Everything In Between “It is not autism, it is gut-ism,” my mother said when Krishna was six. At the time, she and I
Part 9: Therapies, Choices, and the Long Road Between Our son Krishna was diagnosed as autistic about six years ago at NIMHANS. What happened next? Shock, devastation, grief, fear. To
“Is Manjamma’s work good?” my new neighbour asked me. This lovely young family had just relocated to India, and the lady was rediscovering the luxury of having domestic help. “Manjamma’s