Mom Shares How Neurodivergent Son Changed Her Life

When Piya Srinivasan's son stopped speaking at nursery school and spent breaks watching caterpillars, teachers asked if something was wrong at home. Years later, she understands those moments weren't problems but windows into a different way of experiencing the world.

Her son's early years in Kolkata revealed patterns that puzzled many adults. He struggled with loud noises and eye contact but could spend hours observing how marbles scattered across the floor, as if unlocking mysteries others couldn't see. His need for perfect silence during meals and separation of food textures seemed like challenges until his family found the right support.

After moving to India's National Capital Region, they finally accessed diagnostic help and counseling. The family grew through occupational therapy, psychological support, and what Srinivasan calls "a dearly defended idea of leisure." That advocacy meant hundreds of emails to teachers, frequent counselor appointments, nature walks, and constantly seeking environments where her son could thrive.

The transformation changed how Srinivasan views the world. Her son's neurodiversity shows up as heightened observation, seeing details others miss and connecting sensory experiences to their first memories. He creates new words by combining existing ones, suggesting ways of relating to the world rather than separating from it.

Four years ago, her son stepped on a snail and still brings it up with genuine remorse. This acknowledgment that all life forms deserve respect feels especially important in our current environmental crisis. His way of thinking connects humans with stone, rock, earth, tree, insect, and creature as one continuum rather than separate categories.

Why This Inspires

Raising a neurodivergent child means unlearning conventional expectations. Srinivasan discovered that big birthday celebrations aren't necessary, that family dinners can cause sensory overload, and that not all kids need playground time. These revelations freed both mother and son to honor what actually works for their family.

Now 10, her son faces modern challenges like internet culture and instant gratification. Srinivasan learns about his interests, from Minecraft servers to viral trends, to understand his inner world. She's teaching him to trust his intuition and stand firm in his core beliefs.

The work includes helping him self-advocate across schools and institutions. People have blamed her working mother status for his neurodivergence, revealing how much society still misunderstands difference. But she stays focused on creating space for them both to grow together.

Her son has taught her to live with bravery, depth, and determination. His appreciation for the ordinary took years for her to fully grasp, but now she sees it as wisdom most people only gain after decades of life experience.

The biggest parenting joy comes from stepping back and witnessing how her son engages with life. Underneath all the adaptation and advocacy lies the foundation: love, acceptance, and radical empathy.