The Coochikoo

Let’s be honest. For most of us growing up in middle-class Indian homes, August 15 meant a few specific things. You woke up early—unwillingly, of course—to watch the Prime Minister hoist the tricolor at the Red Fort on Doordarshan. Then you rushed to your school ground, stood in a straight line under the blazing sun, sang the national anthem, and waited for the ultimate prize: a small packet of boondi or a couple of laddoos. Once home, the rest of the day was spent flying kites or watching a patriotic Bollywood movie on TV. It was simple, it was predictable, and it felt good. But times have changed. Today's kids, especially those in the energetic 6-to-12 age bracket, are growing up in a hyper-digital world. If you tell them to sit through a long, dry lecture about the details of the 1947 partition or the strict timelines of the freedom struggle, their eyes will glaze over faster than you can say "Inquilab Zindabad." They will slide right back into their screens, scrollin...

  Here is a comprehensive, expert-backed guide answering 100 of the most frequently asked questions about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). To make it easy to read, they are broken down into 10 key categories. Part 1: The Basics 1. What is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)? It is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition that affects how a person communicates, interacts with others, and experiences the world. 2. Is autism a disease? No. A disease can be cured; autism is a difference in how the brain is wired. 3. Can autism be cured? No, there is no cure, but therapies and support can help individuals develop skills and manage challenges. 4. What are the "levels" of autism? The DSM-5 categorizes ASD into three levels based on the amount of support an individual requires: Level 1 (requires support), Level 2 (requires substantial support), and Level 3 (requires very substantial support). 5. What happened to Asperger’s Syndrome? In 2013, the medical community folded Asperger’s into the ...