A mother expressed how her life took a dramatic turn when an employee at her son’s childcare facility observed something unusual about him. Mounika Vemula shared that she was deeply saddened when the staff member mentioned there might be something unique about her son. Living in Solihull, she had never encountered the term autism until that moment in 2020. Working as a developer at a financial institution, Mounika disclosed the overwhelming emotions she experienced during the initial stages of her son’s diagnosis.
Reflecting on the revelation, she stated, “The concept of autism was entirely new to me until a caregiver subtly hinted at it. I was taken aback.” Subsequent online research left her feeling devastated and anxious, coinciding with the onset of the Covid lockdown, further complicating matters. Mounika, speaking with BirminghamLive, detailed how her son, Devaansh, has been diagnosed with Autism, ADHD, and a learning disability, collectively falling under the umbrella term Neurodiversity, with individuals in this category referred to as Neurodivergents. She emphasized, “Devaansh is my whole world.”
According to the NHS, autism is characterized by a unique brain function compared to the general population and is not classified as a medical condition with curative treatments. Mounika acknowledged the challenges of raising a child with special needs, particularly due to Devaansh’s hyperactivity and preference for routines, making public outings and social settings challenging. The isolation and confusion she felt amidst a support system of friends and family were alleviated when she discovered the Birmingham-based autism support group Bridging Brains CIC, established approximately 18 months ago by Dr. Anuradha Uppaluri and Dr. Hari Krovvidi, who initiated the group upon realizing one of their twins had autism.
The support group caters to Birmingham residents with a focus on the local Telugu community, where autism discussions are relatively limited. Since its inception last year, numerous families have participated in the group’s activities, spanning arts, crafts, music, dance, games, sports, and excursions.
Mounika highlighted the transformative impact of the support group, noting, “Engaging with Anu and participating in the group’s activities and workshops has been life-changing. Meeting other families who grasp my experiences on a weekly basis has provided a sense of solidarity, hope, and companionship.” She mentioned that Devaansh now exhibits increased contentment, particularly enjoying painting, arts and crafts, and music and dance sessions.
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