What does it mean to balance career ambitions while raising a child on the autism spectrum? In this episode of Just Your Normal Missfit, I sit down with Ajita Shashidhar, National Editor at Fortune India and mother of two sons, one of whom is on the autism spectrum. Ajita opens up about the emotional labour of raising a neurodivergent child, the constant advocacy required, and why she chose not to give up on her professional career despite the challenges.We talk about the emotional labor of advocacy, the challenges of education systems, sibling dynamics, and why holding onto one’s professional identity is vital for personal sanity. This conversation is a candid yet deeply personal look at resilience, empathy, and courage needed to support neurodivergent individuals. Ajita’s honesty about the struggles and triumphs of parenting while leading a newsroom makes this one of our most moving episodes yet.📌 Episode Timestamps00:00 – Everything You Didn’t Know You Needed to Know About Autism00:13 – Introduction to the Podcast and Guest02:02 – Ajita’s Journey: Balancing Career and Motherhood04:45 – Challenges of Raising a Neurodivergent Child08:12 – Support Systems and Advocacy11:59 – Navigating Higher Education for Neurodivergent Students27:02 – Travel Challenges and Solutions33:29 – Parental Challenges and Safety Concerns34:52 – Dealing with Aggression During COVID-1937:26 – Navigating Social Interactions49:17 – Sibling Dynamics and Independence50:57 – Balancing Work and Personal Life54:23 – Creating Inclusive Workplaces1:00:33 – Empathy and Firmness in Parenting👉 Watch listen and share with your friends because empathy, structure, and resilience are critical not just for families, but for organizations and society as a whole.🔗 Follow Just Your Normal Missfit:Instagram: @justyournormalmissfit

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