Now you will the 'world-bus' ride
Leaving 'alone-auto' behind
And we will look with joy and pride
Upon you at your lofty height.

You will look everyone in the eye
Smile your radiant, charming smile
Use your hard-won social skills
With perfect ease and at will

You'll no longer bang your head
But express thoughts in words instead
The hands that now tend to flap
Will lie quietly in your lap

No more will you be 'mind-blind'
But others' thoughts and feelings divine
You will get the joke and not too late
Your laughter will be appropriate.

With rhythm and grace you will dance
Maybe even find romance
You will not be driven by compulsions, obsessions
But go about your business with self-possession.

Your anxiety will not keep you awake
Sleep will hold you in warm embrace
The world will show you respect
Not see 'impairment' but 'intellect'.

Then, my son, your Father and I
Will laugh at hard times gone by
Hail, conquering hero, Anirudh
Much loved, no more misunderstood!

- Vina Shankar