Power Thoughts

Insights and stories for parents on the journey

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

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 s…

1 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 →
Gayatri Vathsan

Grace

“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 gent…

13 March 2025Read More →
Gayatri Vathsan

When Helplessness Peaks

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. H…

10 March 2025Read More →
Gayatri Vathsan

Autism Awareness: A Mother’s Perspective – XII

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 thr…

3 March 2025Read More →
Gayatri Vathsan

Autism Awareness: A Mother’s Perspective – XI

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…

24 February 2025Read More →
Gayatri Vathsan

Autism Awareness: A Mother’s Perspective – X

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 knew nothi…

17 February 2025Read More →