Brothers-in-arms: Autism is not a barrier between two siblings

Nevaiy likes to keep himself occupied watching videos on his well-used tablet when he is not cooing over his soft toy collection and John Mark cuddles up with books on the sofa after a tiring play session with his feline cat, Nugget. This could be a scene playing out in any household in Mumbai, including yours—except that Nevaiy was diagnosed with autism when he was three years old.

"A child recognises no limitations until we begin to colour their vision," opines Mary Baretto, mother of ten-year-old Nevaiy and four-year-old John Mark. "Like all siblings, they share, argue, fight, make up and then play again. As far as John Mark is concerned, Nevaiy is just his older brother—the spectrum is not something that bothers him at all."

While John Mark has been told about his brother's condition, it doesn't seem to affect him or his relationship with his elder brother. For him, this is just a 'different normal'. John Mark shares, "Nevaiy doesn't play football; he likes to play on his Kindle." And quality time means "Dada, Nevaiy and I drew WALL-E and Eva on the wall", he adds, pointing to one of the paintings on a wall replete with wonderful memories.

"Nevaiy is always around to support John Mark when he gets into trouble with us and John Mark watches out for Nevaiy when we are out," continues Baretto. Nevaiy's autism has, in no way, affected the cozy cocoon that the brothers live in. Like beauty, differences must only lie in the eyes of the beholder.