Where My Work Began
My desire to help others did not come from having all the answers. It came from living through confusion, quiet suffering, and carrying more than I knew how to process. Losing a parent at a young age left a grief I did not fully understand or give myself permission to feel. even when I was quietly overwhelmed.
As a deeply empathetic person, especially as a neurodivergent parent, I learned to absorb the emotions and needs of others while neglecting my own. I believed strength meant endurance. Eventually, that belief caught up with me. Health challenges forced me to pause and look inward. What initially felt like a breaking point became an awakening. Through meditation, journaling, reflection, counseling and self-awareness, I began to understand myself with compassion rather than judgment.
The Early Autism Journey
Our autism journey began quietly, guided more by instinct than clarity. My son was born in the United States, and like most new parents, we were filled with dreams and plans. When he turned one, we moved to India to be closer to family. As he grew, we began noticing delays. He was not responding to his name, making eye contact, or speaking like other children his age.
Trusting what I felt in my heart, we returned to the United States when he was three to seek answers and support. The years that followed were filled with uncertainty and a steep learning curve. He was not diagnosed until age six, and until then, he was completely nonverbal. We held onto small hopes, waiting for a word, a response, or a moment of connection.
When he began ABA therapy at age seven, progress slowly began to unfold. Doors that once felt closed started to open, one step at a time.
Navigating Autism Within the Indian Diaspora
Being part of the Indian diaspora added layers of complexity to our experience. There was limited awareness and understanding of autism, both here and back in India. Cultural expectations and social pressure often made the journey feel isolating. During our visit to India in 2011, when my son was still undiagnosed and we were all searching for answers, the lack of awareness around autism felt emotionally draining.
While some family members grew in understanding over time, others struggled to grasp the challenges we faced. That isolation became a turning point. It planted a desire in me to advocate for families like ours and to help break cultural silence around autism.
Redefining Success as a Family
Today, my son is 20 years old. The little boy who once struggled to communicate is now a community college student. He earned his driver’s license, something we once thought might never happen. While he continues to face challenges with speech and social communication, his growth has been remarkable.
He thrives in structured environments and connects easily with adults. Alongside autism parenting, I have also experienced neurotypical parenting. Watching the bond between my children grow has been grounding and reassuring. His sibling has been his biggest cheerleader, and their connection brings me comfort as I think about the future.
Unknowingly, while we focused on supporting him, he became a source of strength for our family. He grounds us, helps us see the world differently, and teaches us patience and resilience every day.
From Lived Experience to Purposeful Work
This journey reshaped my life and led to a career change I never planned. I began blogging to share our story and raise awareness. I trained as an autism interventionist and began supporting parents, especially those from the Indian diaspora, who often feel overwhelmed, unheard, and unsure of where to turn. Over time, I created and now facilitate a parent support group focused on helping families navigate autism with confidence and hope.
Archway Life Coaching grew directly from this lived experience. My work is grounded in empathy, self-compassion, and practical guidance. I support individuals navigating life transitions, parents balancing the needs of neurodivergent and neurotypical children, and those seeking clarity during personal or career shifts. I do not coach from theory alone. I walk alongside others as they reconnect with themselves and move forward knowing they are not alone.
Why I Share This Story
I share our story to offer awareness and encouragement. To parents at the beginning of this journey, it is okay to feel scared and unsure. Progress happens, even when it is slow or looks different than expected. Our children are capable of incredible growth, and often they become our greatest teachers.
Through this journey, my definition of success has changed. It is no longer measured only by milestones, but by connection, independence, and self-respect. In learning how to support my child, I learned how to show up more fully for myself and now for others.
Archana Makineni
I am a certified life coach and a parent to both a neurodivergent child and a neurotypical child. My own journey through personal challenges, shaped by life across different cultures, has taught me the importance of feeling supported. With a deep understanding of emotional pain, I bring empathy and compassion to my coaching practice as I guide clients on their journey toward empowerment.
Originally from India, I moved to the U.S. 25 years ago and now live in the Midwest. Through personal and professional experience, I have worked to bridge the gap between therapies, the special education system, and what parents truly need to feel understood and empowered.
As a former autism interventionist and current IEP advocate, I’ve guided many families through the challenges of raising differently wired kids. I’m also a proud (though occasionally exhausted) baseball mom because, let’s face it, travel baseball is no joke!
Recently, I left my IT career to pursue life coaching, with the goal of supporting others through life’s transitions, including parenting, personal growth, and neurodivergence.
