A powerful discussion on the challenges faced by parents of autistic children took center stage during the recent United Nations meeting on Autism Awareness Day 2025. Gayatri, a mother from Bangalore, India, shared her heart-wrenching journey with her son Krishna, who was diagnosed with autism at the age of four. Her testimony highlighted the urgent need for better support systems for families navigating the complexities of autism.

Krishna, who initially appeared neurotypical, began exhibiting severe separation anxiety that led Gayatri and her husband to seek medical help. After a lengthy diagnostic process, they were informed that Krishna was on the autism spectrum and required therapies, but the guidance they received was minimal and left them feeling lost. "As a parent, I was completely at sea," Gayatri expressed, emphasizing the lack of comprehensive support and resources available to families.

The meeting underscored the critical need for accessible information about therapies and support networks for parents. Gayatri lamented the absence of guidance on how to find appropriate therapies and connect with other families facing similar challenges. "What do I do beyond that? Who else can we speak to?" she questioned, reflecting the isolation many parents feel after a diagnosis.

Krishna's journey has been fraught with setbacks, including a regression to nonverbal communication following a medical procedure. Gayatri described the frustration of trying to communicate with her son, who struggles to express his needs. "We need to learn how to communicate our basic needs so that they can be addressed," she stated, calling for a shift in how medical professionals perceive and treat autistic individuals.

The discussion also touched on the misconceptions surrounding pain perception in autistic children. Gayatri shared her experiences of doctors dismissing Krishna's pain as behavioral rather than a legitimate medical concern. "Autistic children don't have tummy aches or toothaches," she noted, challenging the harmful stereotypes that hinder proper medical care.

As the meeting concluded, the need for a paradigm shift in understanding autism was clear. Gayatri's story serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of empathy, support, and comprehensive care for families affected by autism. The call for action is urgent: to create a world where neurodiversity is embraced, and every child receives the care and understanding they deserve.