A Journey of Discovery and Triumph
Viraj Dhanda, a 19-year-old from Brookline, Massachusetts, was born like any other baby. However, his early development took an unexpected turn. By the time he reached 18 months, it became clear that he was not meeting typical developmental milestones. His father, Sumit Dhanda, shared with CBS News how the initial signs were subtle but gradually became more apparent.
“At first, it was just a small gap,” Sumit explained. “Then it grew larger, and eventually, it felt like a chasm. That’s when we started hearing from doctors who said, ‘He’s going to need care for the rest of his life. He’ll never be able to communicate.'”
Sumit, who raised Viraj as a single parent, spent the first 14 years of his son’s life trying to teach him basic skills such as numbers and the alphabet. However, these efforts seemed to yield little progress. This was partly due to Viraj’s condition known as apraxia, a neurological disorder that prevents him from speaking or controlling his fingers enough to type, except for his right thumb.
It was this realization that led to a breakthrough. When Sumit discovered that Viraj could type using his right thumb, it opened up a new world of communication for him. Using an iPad, Viraj expressed his frustration at being misunderstood for so long.
“I was constantly told I was mentally disabled,” Viraj said. “I wanted the world to know that I had a fully functional brain.”
In fact, Viraj’s brain is far more than just functional. In just three years, he progressed from basic math to calculus. His academic achievements are impressive: he scored 35 out of 36 on the ACT, graduated high school in the spring from the Fusion Academy Newton, and recently gained admission to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), one of the most prestigious universities globally.
“Getting into MIT felt like a personal victory for me, but also a breakthrough for the entire nonspeaking autistic community,” Viraj shared. He believes there are many others like him whose potential has gone unnoticed.
“I’m not that special,” Viraj said. “I just have the tools and the support needed to demonstrate my intelligence.”
Key Achievements and Milestones
- Communication Breakthrough: Viraj learned to type using his right thumb, which allowed him to express himself.
- Academic Growth: From basic math to calculus in less than three years.
- ACT Score: Achieved a score of 35 out of 36.
- High School Graduation: Completed studies at Fusion Academy Newton.
- University Admission: Accepted into MIT, a top-tier institution.
The Importance of Support and Tools
Viraj’s story highlights the importance of tailored support and accessible tools for individuals with autism. His journey shows that with the right resources, people can overcome significant challenges and achieve remarkable success.
His experience also underscores the need for society to recognize and value the diverse abilities of individuals with autism. Viraj’s accomplishments serve as a powerful reminder that intelligence and potential can often be hidden beneath the surface, waiting for the right opportunity to shine through.
