Parenting Autism

Raising an autistic child is a daunting task anywhere in the world, but more so in Nepal. Parents make countless sacrifices, and some have even left their careers and homes to prepare their children for their challenging lives ahead. Even though an estimated 300,000 children in Nepal suffers from autism, there is a lack of formal schools and institutions to support their needs. Three years ago, a small group of parents decided to band together to start a homeschool called FPCA (Friends of Parents of Children with Autism) for their afflicted children. Said one parent, Jyoti: “The children are the ones who actually show us how (to learn and communicate). We are their parents, but our children are our teachers. They teach us how to live a real life.”