The Power of Presence

Dipak, a young boy with autism, studies at school in Karur, Tamilnadu. He often stayed silent, avoiding the classroom and struggling with the noise and confusion. He found tasks like holding a pencil or recognizing numbers extremely difficult. But behind him stood his mother, Rachana, determined not to give up.
When others didn’t understand, she stepped forward—working closely with special educator Gopal to support her son’s needs. Rachana began learning about autism, not as a professional, but as a mother who simply wanted to help her child.
With permission from the headmaster and class teacher, Rachana began sitting beside her son during school hours. She made sure he was seated near the teacher, in a calm corner with good light. Slowly, they introduced simple sensory breaks—sand play, coloring, and walks in the school garden. These small adjustments brought comfort. His classmates, too, joined in with smiles and gentle support.
Dipak began to change. From a child who couldn’t sit still for even a few minutes, he now focuses for up to 30 minutes. He can match letters, sequence numbers up to 30, and complete copywriting tasks across subjects. When stuck, he quietly raises his hand for help—a small act, but a big sign of growth.
But Rachana’s impact didn’t stop with her son. She started guiding other parents, sharing what she learned about government schemes, therapies, and scholarships. Because of her, 10 parents across Karur blocks have accessed disability scholarships. Her courage has inspired others to come forward, ask questions, and get more involved in their children’s education.

What We Can Learn:

• Parents are powerful allies: Rachana didn’t wait for someone else—she became part of the classroom solution.
• Inclusion builds community: With the right support, teachers, parents, and peers can all play a role.
• Share to include more: Rachana didn’t keep what she learned to herself—she shared it freely, building a circle of support for other families walking a similar path