A For Autism: Awareness, Acceptance ………..

What is “Normal”? Meaning of Neurodivergent ?

We all know what baby milestones are; don’t we? A baby turns, crawls, teething etc. When I was pregnant all these were like written truth. I read What to Expect When you’re Expecting. But what was I expecting?

A happy child with regular milestones. Becoming a mother was the most beautiful feeling. Then he turned, teething started and yet something was off. He cried the moment doorbell rang or cooker whistle went off. And it wasn’t an ordinary one. There were things I didn’t understand fully, like no eye contact, responding to name only sometimes, didn’t speak until he turned 2.

At first, I searched for answers outside. Is this a phase? Am I doing something wrong? What am I missing?

But over time, the answers didn’t come as quickly as the questions. Instead, something else happened.

I slowed down.

I began to notice him—not through comparisons, but through presence.

The way he found comfort in repetition.The way he experienced the world so intensely.The way he connected—not always in expected ways, but in ways that were real and meaningful.

And then began the journey of understanding the word “Autism” from not knowing the word to understanding is a long journey. Reading about it, talking to other moms, his teacher who showed me the way. Learning about it was a shock. But……then I became Aware

Awareness, for me, was not a single moment. It was a journey of unlearning letting go of rigid expectations and learning to see my child for who he is, not who I thought he should be.

But awareness alone wasn’t enough.

Acceptance was harder. And deeper. Acceptance meant releasing comparisons. It meant celebrating progress that others might not even notice. It meant choosing patience on the days that felt overwhelming.

And most of all, it meant understanding that my son does not need to be changed to fit the world.

The world needs to become kinder, more patient, and more accepting of him.(Still a work in progress)

This A–Z journey is about exploring ideas that shape us.

And today, “A” is not just for Autism.

It’s for Awareness—the courage to truly see.It’s for Acceptance—the strength to embrace what we see.

And for me, it will always be for the quiet, powerful Awakening…that came with loving my son exactly as he is. An Awakening of a Mother Bear.

One alphabet at a time, we are Growing – Together

*This blogpost is part of Blogchatter A2Z Challenge 2026