What happens when hope turns into harm?In this powerful episode, host Ann Thomas sits down with Sushama Nagarkar - psychologist, parent, and founder of Yash Charitable Trust. Together, they unpack the recent landmark Indian Supreme Court judgment that banned the commercial use of stem cell therapy for autism in India.💛 About the guest:Sushma Nagarkar is a school psychologist, special educator, and founder of Yash Charitable Trust. With decades of experience and lived insight as a parent, her work focuses on dignity, inclusion, and evidence-based practices for neurodivergent individuals.⚖️ Why this matters:In 2022, Sushama led a Public Interest Litigation challenging the promotion of stem cell therapy as an autism “cure.”In January 2026, it led to a landmark Supreme Court judgment banning its commercial use in India.But this isn’t just a legal story.It’s about parents, desperation, misinformation and the courage to ask: Are we helping, or hurting?📌Timestamps00:00 Landmark Autism Ruling01:35 Sushma’s Advocacy Journey03:05 Why Return to India06:05 Founding Yash Charitable Trust08:46 Building an Inclusive Community: What YCT does. 10:55 Barriers to Inclusion15:01 Evidence-Based Support17:20 Stem Cell Scam Emerges19:39 Filing the Supreme Court PIL22:10 Team and Legal Strategy25:38 Why Parents Stay Silent29:35 How the Case Was Won30:47 Judgment Summary and Impact32:40 Stem Cell Therapy Caveats34:09 Neurodiversity Support Mindset Shift35:52 Medical vs Social Model38:14 Advice for New Parents42:06 Caregiver Burnout and Letting Go44:20 Teaching Choice and Agency47:08 Teen Choices and Boundaries49:19 Evaluating New Therapies51:11 From Cure to Dignity53:20 Siblings Need Support Too57:05 Final Message and ThanksThis episode breaks down what that means for families, practitioners, and the future of neurodivergent care in India.Watch the full episode and subscribe for more conversations that challenge how we think, feel, and show up. 💛