Raising an Autistic Son as a BCBA | Dr. Radhika Achari

What happens when years of professional autism experience suddenly become personal?In this episode of My Sibling is Autistic, Dr. Radhika Achari shares her experience as a BCBA and mother raising an autistic son and his younger sister. Even after working in early intervention for years, becoming a parent opened her eyes to a completely different side of autism support.Dr. Achari talks about the early signs they noticed, feeding and oral motor challenges, sensory processing, occupational therapy, social interaction, and how her Indian family learned to connect with her son in ways that worked for him. She also shares how his younger sister naturally became one of his strongest supporters while still making sure her own needs and interests receive equal attention.The conversation also looks toward the future. Dr. Achari explains why she believes building independence should start early and how social skills, executive functioning, self-advocacy, daily living skills, and communication can help prepare neurodivergent young people for college and adulthood.This episode is for parents, siblings, educators, professionals, and families who want to better understand autism, sibling relationships, early intervention, and the transition toward independence.Subscribe to My Sibling is Autistic for more real conversations about autism, siblings, family, advocacy, and building a more inclusive future.