Sandeep Verma never imagined that life would test him the way it did. Like many others, he had a stable career, a defined routine, and plans that followed a predictable path. He came from an IT and program management background. Life felt quite manageable and controlled. However, one day he got to know that his son was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
In that moment, everything paused. The future he had imagined suddenly felt unclear. Questions crowded his mind. Fear arrived quietly. But even in that silence, one thing was certain: he could not stop. What followed was a phase of learning and adaptation. Sandeep reorganised both his personal and professional work around his son’s needs. Therapies, medical interventions and a structured schedule became part of everyday life.
Redefining What Family Means
Parallel to this transition was another major shift in the family. Sandeep’s marriage came to an end. Both he and his former partner chose paths that felt right for their individual peace and well-being.
Sandeep took full responsibility for his son. That decision quietly changed everything. He was no longer just planning for today; he was planning for a lifetime.
Moving From Emotion to Action
After the diagnosis, life felt emotionally heavy. There were many questions, and not all of them had answers right away. It was natural to think about what could have been different, but instead of staying stuck in those thoughts, Sandeep chose to focus on what could be done next.
As Sandeep explains, “My son’s developmental delays and eventual autism diagnosis were emotionally overwhelming. The heart wanted to question the past but the mind pushed toward action.”
He started meeting doctors, going through assessments, and beginning therapies. As responsibilities grew, his parents, colleagues, teachers, and caregivers all became part of his support system. Asking for help wasn’t easy, but it taught him an important lesson that sometimes strength is simply allowing others to stand beside you.
Living the Long Game
Caring for a child with special needs is a long journey. Days were built around therapy schedules, home routines, emotional understanding, and constant learning. There were sensory challenges, behavioural struggles, and moments of misunderstanding from the outside world.
However, Sandeep also realised that giving constant care without taking care of himself would eventually lead to burnout. To stay steady, he found comfort in small, meaningful habits like cooking, painting, gardening, aquascaping, exercising, writing poetry, and spending time in nature.
“Not finding a guide in my own journey inspired me to become one for others. I began sharing my experiences, learnings, and routines through social platforms to support other parents and caregivers,” shares Sandeep.
Where the Journey Is Today
Today, Sandeep remains focused on what matters most. He continues working on his son’s development through regular therapies, learning routines, and life-skills exposure. At the same time, he stays connected with other special-needs parents by sharing experiences and building a sense of community.
Looking ahead, he hopes to build a resource platform for single parents and caregivers of neurodivergent children. “I plan to build greater social impact by collaborating with schools, therapy centers, and community organisations,” shares Sandeep. He also wants to continue sharing his story, reaching more people with honesty, compassion, and useful insights.
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