Moonpath
The First 72 Hours
You just heard the word autism. Here is the next three days.
A card for parents on the day of an autism diagnosis. For Indian families of non-verbal or minimally verbal children.
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Your child is the same child he was this morning. You are the same parent you were this morning. Nothing about him has changed today. You have a word now that you did not have yesterday. That is the only difference. Everything below is from parents who once stood where you are standing.
Tonight
Do
- Eat something warm. Even if you are not hungry.
- Hold him the way you held him last Tuesday. Nothing about him has changed.
- Write down three things he already does well.
- Tell one safe person. Not the family WhatsApp.
- Go to sleep if you possibly can.
Do not
- Call therapists at 11pm. None of the good ones answer at 11pm.
- Announce it on the family WhatsApp tonight. That decision keeps.
- Google "autism cure". There isn't one, because autism is not a disease.
- Have the big five-year conversation with your spouse tonight. Tomorrow.
This Week
Do
- Book a developmental paediatric assessment. Wait is 2-6 weeks, so book now.
- Book a speech-language evaluation (ISHA-registered therapist).
- Book an occupational therapy evaluation.
- Ask for the diagnostic report in writing, on letterhead.
- Widen the trusted circle by one more person, chosen carefully.
Do not
- Start six therapies at once. One at a time, added in slowly.
- Start an Ayurvedic "cure" regimen. Some preparations have tested positive for lead or mercury.
- Remove gluten or casein without a clinical dietitian. Real risk of harm.
- Read r/autism at 2am. The American forums are not the community you need.
The First Thirty Days
Do
- Start one therapy once evaluations are in. Usually OT or ST first.
- Keep a "little victories" notebook. Aaj usne khud kiya.
- Apply for the disability certificate and UDID card. Four to eight weeks to arrive.
- Find your city's parent group (Nayi Disha, Autism Parents Forum, VOICE, SCAN).
Do not
- Pull him out of school. Familiar routine is stabilising.
- Quit your job. This month is not the month for that call.
- Let your peace be owned by blaming relatives.
- Compare his progress to another autistic child's. Different children, different roads.
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