The Quiet Echo: Leena’s Journey Through Her Mom’s Lens

The Early Years: A World of Her Own
The signs arrived like a slow-moving tide. At first, there were only subtle differences — a later start to walking, a hesitation in forming sentences. At 14 months, Leena was a spark of potential, sounding out her letters and numbers with ease. But by age two, the world seemed to pull her inward.

The words stopped. The vibrant toddler who knew her alphabet became a child living in a private world, communicating mostly through tears and a restless sense of unease. After moving from San Francisco to the East Bay, the reality became impossible to ignore: the social anxieties she felt toward strangers were taking a toll. As parents, we felt the ground shift beneath us. We grappled with denial, fueled by the desperate hope that there was something more we could do to bring her back to us.

Finding the Rhythm
Through the struggle, we began to find the “small victories.” We discovered that music was the key to Leena’s focus; the melodies of Elmo and Barney became the soundtrack to her days, always accompanied by her inseparable dolly, “Bunny Gak.”

During these years, Leena’s circle was small but fierce. She clung to me, my mother, and my sister. Perhaps the greatest light was Leena’s own sister whom a therapist once called a “gift from God.” She became Leena’s bridge to the outside world, encouraging her through speech therapy and gently pulling her into the magic of play.

The School Years: Hope and Hardship
Elementary school was a landscape of hurdles. In Special Day classes and later in Resource, Leena struggled to initiate conversations or find her footing with peers. I remember the stress of her fourth birthday party, the magician I thought would bring joy only added to the sensory overwhelm.

But fourth grade brought a turning point: a Special Day class teacher who truly saw Leena. She offered us more than instruction; she offered hope, praise, and a positive end to every single day.

By fifth grade, social seeds began to sprout. Leena formed bonds with more verbal students, though their interactions were less about “school talk” and more about the pure, rediscovered joy of play. There was a sweet boy who stayed in her life into high school, a gentle reminder of the kindness that exists in the world, even as their paths eventually diverged. It was also during this time that Leena’s imagination blossomed; she became a storyteller, weaving intricate, sometimes concerning, tales about our family - a sign of a mind working in complex, albeit different, ways.

The Mountain and the Valley
As Leena grew, we turned to the experts at UCSF, seeking ways to ease her profound social anxiety. We navigated the highs and lows of medication and therapy, always advocating, always learning that “success” for an autistic child doesn’t look the same for everyone.

The ultimate testament to Leena’s strength came when she did what many thought impossible: she graduated from a four-year university. Today, she manages her own self-care and daily living — a victory we once could only dream of.

The Present: Grief and Resilience
The journey has not been without its shadows. The loss of her grandparents, Bibi Noori and Bobi Jan, left a void that words cannot fill. Last year, the weight of my father’s passing pushed Leena into her darkest days. The struggle became so intense that it led to a psychiatric hospitalization, requiring me to step away from my career to hold her close and navigate the complex path of intensive therapy.

Now, at 31, Leena is doing better. She hasn’t found a job in over five years and continues to struggle with how she fits into this world. As parents, we continue to encourage her and advocate for her. She has services through the Department of Rehabilitation and the Regional Center, which support individuals with autism. Leena has a younger sister, and while their relationship isn’t what it once was, I hold hope that time and healing will bring them closer again. These things are very hard for a mother’s heart.

Still, I never give up on my prayer and faith. Deep inside, I know God holds the key to all things, and I believe Leena has an amazing future ahead of her.

We share this story not because it is easy, but because it is real. Through advocacy and struggle come rewards and a momentum we never thought possible. Leena’s journey is a reminder that everyone’s outcome is different — and that love, persistent and patient - is the greatest advocate of all.