Our experiments with Autism - A never ending journey

  I mage Description : A galaxy with various planets rotating around, depicting the different moods. It’s been quite a while since we last shared a blog post. Lately, I’ve been leaning more towards sharing Akshat’s thoughts and expressions, but over the past couple of months, he hasn't really been in the mood to write—perhaps a bit of a writer’s block. Interestingly, he began this particular piece way back on March 19th. At first, he was reluctant to even start. He didn’t feel like writing at all. But despite that, he showed up every day—sometimes just putting down a word or two. That quiet consistency made all the difference. Slowly but surely, he found his rhythm, and today, he finally completed it. A few days ago, I came across a line that really resonated with me: “Sometimes, habit creates the change that motivation alone cannot.” Watching Akshat over these weeks, I truly see the power of that idea coming to life. Ritu Rassay Autism — a word that defines my personality, but...

17-12-24 A year that went by 2024 would be a great year to remember, with resolutions, goals, and purpose ending positively. This year, our journey of autism reached a remarkable milestone. My book ‘Bond Beyond Words: The Unspoken Conversations’, was published and received an overwhelming response. The book results from persistent efforts and my desire to express my thoughts. Every human mind is capable of thinking. The difference lies in the way of expression. Thoughts need to be expressed and discussed. They are like vibrant colors that beautify the canvas when splashed. The year 2024 will remain significant not only for the bond beyond words but also for other reasons. This year, I could see an improvement in my writing. I felt the change as my thoughts matured and were reflected in my work. I wrote a few quotes in the last few months, which turned out to be good, and I earned from them, too. The year ended on a fascinating note when Talking Fingers released a short film...

Hello Readers, Season’s Greetings! Sorry, we are a bit late in wishing you that. This time, Akshat took a bit longer to complete his blog but he finally completed it. Hope you all enjoy reading it. Don’t forget to share your feedback.    Into the Sea      A giant ship in an endless ocean Standing on the deck and feeling the cool breeze. Unable to fathom the seabed that lies deep inside. Mighty waves beneath the calm waters Guiding to remain strong while holding calm Sand under the feet makes you realize, that nothing is permanent. Akshat rassay 6-11-24 Into the Sea 6-11-24 Diwali vacation is essential for Gujaratis. They throng into various global and domestic destinations during this festive time. People in Gujarat are fond of holidaying. Living in Gujarat for so long, I can also feel the same vibes, though traveling has always been a challenge for me, given my sensory challenges and mood swings. However, I have worked through and managed...

  Hello Readers! Akshat is back with another post! Normally, I provide him with a list of topics to choose from but this time, when I asked him if he had something in mind, he surprised me by suggesting "Anxiety and a Resilient Mind" all on his own. I was genuinely impressed by his initiative. It took him around 10-12 days to complete this short write-up, but it will only take you a minute to read and share your thoughts. So, take a moment to read it, and don't forget to leave a comment! See you, Ritu Rassay Anxiety vs.   A Resilient Mind Akshat Rassay 24-9-24 Imagine you are fond of chole bhature and go to a restaurant to have it. You have ordered it and now you are waiting for it. Oops! The waiting is getting longer and longer and you are feeling hungry and irritated simultaneously. The people around are eating, and talking, and there is a mind-crackling smell of food everywhere. In addition, people’s body odour and the scent of deos and perfumes trigger anxiety and...

 Hello Readers! It's been a while since we last connected, and today I found myself reflecting on a poster my husband put up on his cupboard years ago. The poster carried a simple yet powerful message: "There's always an opportunity in a challenge." At the time, I didn't give it much thought, but now its meaning deeply resonates with me. On Sunday, 8th September, Akshat had the opportunity to participate in an open mic event organized by Nirbhikta, Vadodara. It was a mainstream event, open to all, where participants could perform monologues, stand-up comedy, poetry, and more. When I first saw the flyer, I immediately thought that this could be a wonderful chance for Akshat to connect with neurotypicals and vice versa - a platform for inclusion and to create awareness. Without giving it a second thought, we applied for Akshat's participation. Watching Akshat stand alongside his peers, young people his age, was an incredibly emotional moment for me. I felt such ...

Hello Readers! I started this blog in July 2021 to share our experiences with Autism. At that time Akshat had just begun typing and expressing himself. Someone once asked me what I would write about once our story was told. Now, after three years and 50 posts later, Akshat has taken over and shares his own writings. The journey has been a roller coaster ride and full of learning. Today's blog post is particularly special, being the 50th post.  I'm excited to introduce you to Vedant Patil, a 13-year-old minimally speaking (having a few words) boy with autism. Vedant's mother sought my guidance two years ago, for communication, and we've been working together since. Vedant now communicates through a letterboard, app, and typing. He and Akshat often chat with each other using their AAC tools. It's incredibly encouraging and satisfying to see Vedant's progress. His mother often says that she feels like her son is now talking to her about anything and everything, des...