The Diagnosis Diaries: Making the Invisible, Visible

Finding His Voice: Viraj Dhanda's Story of Silent Strength Imagine spending years trying to show the world that you understand—while being completely unable to speak or type your thoughts.   That was Viraj Dhanda’s reality. Diagnosed with autism and childhood apraxia of speech (CAS), Viraj is also nonverbal. For much of his early life, he was believed to be developmentally delayed—simply because he couldn’t express himself in traditional ways. But behind his quiet presence, his mind was sharp, aware, and absorbing everything. And one day, his father realized it.   The Breakthrough Though Viraj couldn't talk or use a keyboard with both hands, his father noticed he could type with one thumb. He taught him. And what happened next changed everything at 14 years of age. Viraj started typing. Not just letters or random words—sentences, thoughts, full expressions that revealed something incredible: he had understood everything all along. Viraj continues to comm...

Colton and his Brave Journey Through Childhood Apraxia of Speech  Colton is a bright, funny and determined little boy who has already weathered more than most adults ever will. He’s full of curiosity, always asking “why,” loves to draw and build, and has a laugh that’s truly contagious. But behind Colton’s smile is a long list of diagnoses that he carries with incredible strength and resilience. Here are the medical and developmental conditions Colton lives with: Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) Phonological Speech Disorder Language Disorder Sensory Processing Disorder Auditory Processing Disorder Congenital Hypothyroidism Mild Cerebral Palsy Autism Spectrum Disorder, Level 1 And due to whole genome sequencing is at risk for developing epilepsy and type 2 diabetes. That’s a lot for one little boy — and a lot for us as his parents, teachers, and doctors to consider in supporting him. But let’s start with the conditi...