SLUG: World Autism Awareness DayVadodara: At 52, Punarnava Saha walked away from a promising corporate career in Mumbai to care for her son, Vihaan, who was diagnosed with mild autism at a young age — a decision that would reshape both their lives.As a child, Vihaan struggled to communicate. He spoke very little, often relied on gestures and would become aggressive at times. What initially seemed like a speech delay was later diagnosed as mild autism, leaving Saha grappling with the demands of both her career and her child’s needs.In 2011, she made a decisive move — leaving Mumbai and relocating to Vadodara to give her son more time, attention and access to activities. Looking back, she calls it the best decision she ever made.Fifteen years later, that choice has transformed their lives. Today, 20-year-old Vihaan is independent and supportive, managing his daily routine and helping his mother at home.“Vihaan has come a long way. He now handles his daily chores and even helps me out,” said Saha, an advocate and management graduate.She recounts the small but meaningful changes with pride. “He drives our scooter and takes me around the city. After a long day at work, he serves me food. There was a time when I constantly worried about his condition. Now, it’s a wonderful feeling to see him grow into a responsible young man,” she said.Vihaan is currently preparing for his Class 12 examinations. “He didn’t use a writer in Class 10 despite being eligible, and even now, he is writing all his papers on his own. I am very proud of him,” Saha added.Recalling the early years, she said, “By the time he was three, I realised something was different. He barely spoke and mostly pointed at things. Initially, I thought it was a speech issue, but it turned out to be a learning disorder.”Faced with a difficult choice, Saha chose her son over her career. “I had to decide between my work and my child, and I chose Vihaan. Moving to a smaller city made it easier for him to access activities and for me to give him the time he needed,” she said.
