Author: Mr Sumit Sehgal Author | Poet | Mentor to Young Minds Founder, Young Dragons’ Literary Hub | 4th April, 2026
On World Autism Awareness Day, I find myself not just thinking about autism, but thinking about how I changed.
Because the truth is, autism didn’t change.
I did.
Phase 1: Unaware (2010)
My first introduction to autism came through the film My Name Is Khan.
I remember watching Shah Rukh Khan play Rizwan Khan; an autistic individual navigating a world that often misunderstood him.
But here’s the honest part:
I watched it… without really seeing it.
I didn’t understand autism.
I didn’t question it.
I didn’t reflect deeply.
It was just another story.
Yes, I felt emotions. Yes, I admired the performance.
But awareness? Sensitivity? Understanding?
Not really.
Phase 2: Sensitized (Years Later)
Almost a decade and a half later, life had other plans.
As I stepped deeper into mentoring young minds, I was introduced to The Neuroaid Research Foundation (NRF).
And that’s where everything began to shift.
I didn’t just hear about autism anymore.
I met children on the spectrum.
I worked with them, through storytelling sessions, through interaction, through presence.
Then came something even more personal;
writing a book for them, seeing it come to life, and having it launched at the Purple Fest.
And in those moments; conversations, smiles, silences, expressions;
I wasn’t teaching.
I was learning.
Slowly, gently, deeply…
I became sensitized.
Phase 3: Aware (Now)
Recently, I watched Tanvi The Great.
And this time; it was different.
I didn’t just watch the character of Tanvi.
I understood her.
Her silences spoke.
Her determination made sense.
Her world didn’t feel distant anymore.
For the first time, I wasn’t observing from the outside.
I was connecting from within.
The Real Realisation
Here’s what truly struck me:
The children I met…
The individuals on the spectrum…
They didn’t change.
Their world, their way of being, their truth;
it was always there.
It was my lens that was incomplete before.
I moved from:
- Not noticing
- To observing
- To understanding
- To respecting deeply
What Autism Taught Me
Autism is not something to “fix.”
It is something to understand, accept, and honour.
It taught me:
- That communication is not always verbal
- That expression has many forms
- That patience is not optional; it is essential
- That brilliance often exists in ways we are not trained to see
And most importantly:
That awareness is not information.
It is transformation.
Today…
Today, I don’t just say I am aware.
I say I am still learning.
Because awareness is not a destination.
It is a continuous journey of unlearning, relearning, and becoming better.
From Me to You
If you are where I once was unaware;
that’s okay.
Start noticing.
Start listening.
Start engaging.
Because the moment you do;
you won’t just understand autism.
You will understand humanity better.
