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A Parent's Journey

16 posts in this category

Gayatri Vathsan

Happy Father’s Day!

Yesterday was Father’s Day. Let me confess: I had no idea such a day existed. I didn’t check LinkedIn till night. Then someone mentioned it, and of course I had…

15 June 2025Read More →
Gayatri Vathsan

Motherhood

Let me tell you a mother’s story. Illiterate, underprivileged—and with such phenomenal grit and love that I am dumbfounded. Before the redoubtable Manjamma bega…

11 June 2025Read More →
Gayatri Vathsan

Financial Planning

“When do you start financial planning for your autistic child?” Yesterday. Because it is never too early to start. The earlier you begin, the more time you give…

11 May 2025Read More →
Gayatri Vathsan

When Words Fade, Communication Must Not

“Krishna, what do birds eat?” “Pija!” replied 2-year-old Krishna, who was eating pizza at the time. “You're eating pizza, baby, and you're not a bird. What's yo…

16 April 2025Read More →
Gayatri Vathsan

What After Us?

“”After us, then what?” This question popped up in my mind for the nth time yesterday morning, just about this time. I was frantically cleaning the sofa while K…

13 April 2025Read More →
Gayatri Vathsan

Courage

“Let me tell you a story of courage. A story of love.” Yesterday, I was waiting for Krishna to finish his therapy. A blue electric auto purred to a stop next to…

9 April 2025Read More →
Gayatri Vathsan

A Day in My Life

“So, what’s for breakfast?” For me, this is the scariest question possible on a Monday morning. Especially when my delightful maid decides to take off for a few…

6 April 2025Read More →
Gayatri Vathsan

You Are Not Alone in This

Autism parenting seems a lonely journey. Autism seems a lonely journey. It needn’t be. Krishna’s first regression happened when he was about 4. “That’s not typi…

3 April 2025Read More →
Gayatri Vathsan

The Taste of Hope

“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 e…

30 March 2025Read More →
Gayatri Vathsan

Trust Your Gut (About Your Child)

“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…

24 March 2025Read More →
Gayatri Vathsan

The Language of Love

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 …

20 March 2025Read More →
Gayatri Vathsan

The Weight of Guilt

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 comfor…

18 March 2025Read More →