Everyone thought autistic teen couldn’t communicate — until his dad noticed his thumb. Now, he’s at MIT

Raising a child on the spectrum is anything but easy. Think of it as a roller-coaster ride — full of challenges but also surprisingly joyful. Unlike neurotypical kids, children with autism need a little extra attention, especially because some may lack communication, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Viraj Dhanda, an autistic teen from Massachusetts, also spent the first 14 years of his life struggling to learn the basics. But when the whole world turned its back on the young man, his father, Sumit Dhanda, saw beyond his limitations, giving him the wings he needed.

Viraj was born just like any other typical baby with no signs of abnormality, but that lasted only for a little over 18 months. As he was growing up, Sumit, a single father, could see his son missing out on developmental milestones, but he couldn't guess that he had something called autism. Worried, Sumit took Viraj to the doctors, and they confirmed his diagnosis. "Well, he's going to need care for the rest of his life. He's never going to be able to communicate," he recalled the doctors' verdict. Besides autism, Viraj was also diagnosed with apraxia, a neurological disorder, because of which he couldn't speak or write using his fingers, except his right thumb. When Sumit realized that his son could use his thumb to communicate, he stepped up to help him make that his superpower.

When Viraj was asked what it meant to him to grow up with labels as mentally unstable, he described it as "frustrating." Through his iPad, Viraj conveyed, "I desperately wanted the world to know that I had a fully functional brain." With his daddy's support, the exceptionally gifted boy went from learning basic math to calculus. He even scored 35 out of 36 on his ACT and graduated from high school, CBS Evening News reported. Moreover, Viraj qualified for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for his higher education. "Getting into MIT didn't just feel like a personal victory for me, but a breakthrough for the entire nonspeaking autistic community," he confessed. 

Reacting to the story, @justgearheadstuff2718 commented, "Someone once told me, 'It only takes one person to believe in you, and you can do remarkable things.' This is a perfect example." Similarly, @lohittyagi shared, "Very wholesome story. I had autism growing up as well, and struggled to learn in school. Today, I have a college degree as a 22-year-old, and I am planning to get my PhD. Life changes quickly, and it's a privilege to be born as a human being. The beauty of learning resides in our brains. The evolution can occur at any age." Another user who goes by @mr.veryknownshepherd004 on the site platform said, "This father needs to be awarded a national award for his struggles in finding this beautiful mind's way out alone. It is such an inspiring story."

On the other hand, @melbird-dw3su pointed out, "Just wow, yet not surprising to me. People get labeled and lose opportunities. What a fantastic father to know how brilliant his son is and to provide what he needs to have a full life and chances to become his true self." Echoing the sentiments, @jrwash1987 confessed, "As a mother of a son on the spectrum, this warms my heart and gives me validation. Once you find out what your child can do and you help them build their skills, you know they will be alright and be able to advocate and navigate the world with and without you." @bucketofbarnacles wrote, "This is an example of how we often need to rethink what our perceptions lead us to believe. A truly wonderful father and story."