Antara and her Papa

So in todays US episode, Antara calls the terrorists her "papa"

I dont understand how she recognized Vidya early on but still hasnt formed a bond with Aditya
Its so sad when Aditya gets all shocked that antara doesnt recognize him

I completely agree with you Jess..................... a monumental oversight by the makers. Antara as an autistic child would never differentiate so much betw Adit and Vidya. We also have to remember that Adit has been shown to have a more steadfast relationship with her.

another blooper in the whole fiasco was that antara refused to take another route to school while going with billu and abhi. yet she quietly into the scooter with the terrorists when being told that she will be taken to school and didnt raise an alarm when they took her all over the city.

I think her bond with Vidya vs her lack of a bond with Aditya has more to do with the fact that she's more comfortable with the concept of a 'mother' or a 'female caregiver' or just generally more inclined to be around a female BECAUSE ever since she was born to the time her mother died, she was ONLY looked after by a female. These sorts of traits/habitualities occur with 'normal' kids too, it's just less remarkable because they are able to act out in different ways and Antara being autistic isn't able to express her NEED to have a close bond with a female.

Just a theory, but I think it makes sense...what do u think? :o)

I actually find this pretty normal. My son is autistic and identifies very strongly with his father. He and I are fine, and we cuddle a lot, plus he won't eat any food which I haven't cooked, but there is a different level of attachment with the same sex parent, and I find that in general, autistic boys tend to be rather hyper-masculine, with the male characteristics very pronounced, so reading the nuances of female communication is hard for them,

In fact, I have a theory that autism is the mark of Lord Shiva.😊 Rather than see it as an affliction, I see in my son these very "Shiva"-like qualities--preference to withdraw from intimate social engagement; you have to approach him on his own terms, and not at your convenience and not on a whim; more comfortable in the company of other males; preferring the rough edges of outdoor life rather than the refined comforts of civilisation (Vishnu). I see these in my son, and they remind me of how Parvati had to figure Shiva out, and really work to get his attention. It fascinates me to see these qualities in action.

In Antara's case (there are fewer autistic girls than boys, so I am just speculating), it could just be that it is easier for her to identify with Vidya because social cues are hard for her. Vidya tends to provide the comfort of her presence, whereas Aditya searches for solutions. He is not wrong to do so, after all he is her father and someone has to do the needful. I see in my son a similar unwillingness to try new methods, and we have to repeat the actions over and over, with him fighting us the whole time, But because Vidya is not actively trying to teach her, Antara feels safe with her; it is both positive (since these kids need to be accepted for who they are) and limiting (because Vidya, in her bitterness, and erratic engagement with Antara, has chosen not to take on the mantle of educator for this child).

Mahika.

Mahika, you post is sooooo good and makes sooo much sense!!!

Thanks for your time.

Mahika, such an excellent analysis! Thanks---really gave me a different perspective to autism....qualities of Lord Shiva! wow!

Aw, thanks. These are just my observations.😳

Some of the aspects of Shiva just remind me so strongly of autistic characteristics. For example, when Kama tried to use the usual wiles so that Shiva would notice Parvati. It backfired terribly, with Shiva furious that his meditation had been broken; just like him, autistic people do not appreciate being pulled out of their trancelike state. Parvati had to change her strategy drastically for Shiva to notice her, and take on qualities which he could identify with so their thoughts could synchronize. Autistic people tend to respond to literal cues, just like this.

Another example which reminds me of autists would be when Ganesh wouldn't let Shiva into the house, and Shiva became enraged. If an autist expects his routine to go a certain way, a shocking deviation like being refused entrance would unsettle them from the expected.

I think these qualities are what raise Shiva to the level of Mahadev. He is above the pettiness and politicking of the devas, so his judgements are highly valued.

Mahika.

very interesting mahika I must say.