Light It Up Blue

When Tanishk joined his current school placement in Sept of 2010, it was the biggest moment for us. It looked and felt like the end to struggles, a great achievement. We felt we won't have to think much after that..umm - worry ourselves to death - the thinking continued. We follow the school's instructions and methods. And I must admit that it helped us a lot. We took our time to learn, but we are getting there. We have a long way to go, like in any learning..

We knew that Tanishk has a photogenic face - he would add he is a good looker. His childhood photos were very good. But when he grew up, he started to make faces and kept showing behaviors. He doesn't stand still in front of the camera. Whenever, we take his pictures, they were on average. There were some good pictures too, in case we got him unaware.

Tanishk on the bean bag - 2006

Tanishk like a sports man - 2007

Tanishk in traditional dress on Diwali - 2007

Tanishk when he came to US - 2008

Tanishk at Rainforest Cafe - 2009

Tanishk sitting in the school van, first day to PCDI - 2010

When Tanishk came to US, he was non-verbal and non-responsive. When he was 18 months old, every one noticed that he is not responding to his name and doesn't listen. But, he used to respond on Hindi advertisements shown on the TV and to the phone ring. Whenever ads started, he ran to the TV from wherever he was. And the moment ads end, he was lost.

Whenever I called his name, he never responded. But whenever I uttered Orange, he came, even from another room. So, what was that? What would you say?

Thanks to all his therapists - Early Intervention or Private, who taught him talk. Thanks to early intervention, he verbalizes his needs. Thanks to his teachers at school and after school therapists, who worked with him. In that period, he was toilet trained. (Accidents happen, but not so often)

In the meantime, my husband was busy in trying to get Out of district placement for Tanishk as we wanted one on one therapy for him.We got a call from PCDI for his interview. There was one place vacant for next year. The staff people at PCDI worked with him for one hour. We were in the office. Special thanks to Laurie Paul Duddy, who made him familiar with the things which helped him in his personal interview. My husband recalls when the director stood up and grandly announced that the school was ready to induct Tanishk. I & my husband looked at each other silently for a few seconds.

Tanishk started at PCDI in Sept of 2010. He has completed 30 months in PCDI and he has learnt a lot there. He is more connected, attentive and focussed. He attends all the activities - reading, writing,   coloring, math, playing appropriately, comprehension skills, gym, yoga, group activities, social behavior, conversational skills, self-help activities (brushing teeth, dressing himself, eating food etc.)

Whenever PCDI asked for permission to take his pictures for any campaign or their newsletter, we acquiesced. We have everything to thank PCDI for.

Tanishk at PCDI - Halloween 2010

Tanishk celebrating his 5th birthday with his teacher Jamie at PCDI

Tanishk at Toys R Us Photo Shoot at PCDI (I got this from video on Toys R Us website one year before)

Tanishk at PCDI, watching TV - 2012

Tanishk at PCDI, watching TV - 2012

We totally forgot about that "Toys R Us" photo shoot. After one year of the event, we got a message that Tanishk is up on "Toys R Us" stores. We thought that he must be there in the store in a specific section. We reached the store and we were surprised. On the front door, there was a big poster with his picture and message for autism awareness.

Poster at Toys R Us Store

Toys R Us have also chosen his photo as cover photo on facebook - "Toys R Us" on Facebook

We are very proud of him. Thanks to the people who worked with him, who have taken his photo and who have chosen him for this campaign - "Light It Up Blue". I wish he spreads his light everywhere in this world and which helps increase awareness for autism.