What was your saddest moment in you life?
“Every mother has dreams for their child. I always wanted to study but being a village girl I couldn’t. I thought I would give me child the best education. When he was two I realized for the first time that he was different than other kids. He didn’t play with anyone. He collected leaves and played with it. He stacked washing bars in perfect order. He never made eye contact. I knew something was wrong but didn’t know what. As he grew up these differences were more pronounced. The schools I had put him in didn’t want him anymore. People started calling him names. That really hurt. When he turned six finally I found out through a doctor that he has autism. That was probably the saddest moment.”

Your happiest?
“The first time he called me by name. Everyday I would show him my picture labelled with my name since he can only learn visually. His communication is very need based. He does not speak until and unless he needs something. Last friday I had a meeting with parents of children with autism. I forgot to tell him. When I go out I make sure I return home by 3. Due to heavy traffic that day I was late. When I got home my mother-in-law told me that at 3 pm sharp he came to her, handed her the phone and said “Jyoti Singh”. That is when I was really happy and I realized that he really needs me.”

– Jyoti Kumari Singht with her son Aditya Singh, Swayambhu, Kathmandu
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