11-year-old Tanishq’s culinary skills are a treat to watch on his YouTube channel ‘Wonderfud’

Tanishq, an eleven-year-old diagnosed with autism has his own Instagram page and YouTube channel called ‘Wonderfud’ run by his mother Veena Viswanathan. He has over 580 subscribers and has uploaded 59 videos, all of which are a treat to watch. Read on to know more about Tanishq’s venture.

Fried ice cream, Zucchini fritters, Boondi ladoo, cake pops, chicken meatballs, samosas, cream cheese choco chip pudding and chocolate tart, one look at Tanishq’s Instagram page ‘Wonderfud’ will leave any person with a craving! This eleven-year-old chef from Bengaluru who was diagnosed with autism has his own Instagram page and YouTube channel where his mother Veena Viswanathan regularly updates all the dishes that her son makes. Started during lockdown, Tanishq’s YouTube channel has over 580 subscribers and Veena has uploaded 59 cooking videos till date.

An autism diagnosis

It was during one of Tanishq’s vaccination visits that his pediatrician told Veena about a developmental delay. He had speaking issues, but Veena thought that it would be a delay that some children face. Upon the next visit, his pediatrician asked Veena to get a diagnosis done at NIMHANS in Bengaluru. Thus, Tanishq was diagnosed with autism at the age of two.

According to Veena, an early diagnosis has helped Tanishq immensely. He could get early intervention from a renowned center in Bengaluru. Being the only child, Veena could also channel all her time and attention to little Tanishq. Individualized programs at the center helped not just Tanishq but Veena too. She learnt how to reach out to her son with autism.

Though Tanishq was put into a normal school which had a special educator that catered to his needs, Veena knew that an exclusive school for children with disabilities would be a better option for Tanishq. At the school where he is currently studying, they train him to become independent and also teaches life skills. “His route memory is so good. We just have to take him through a route once and he would remember it forever”, says a proud Veena.

Since past three years, Tanishq has epilepsy due to which Veena pays extra attention to him. But the unending support and love from her husband is what helps both Veena and Tanishq to flourish. Veena and her husband makes sure that no matter what, they take Tanishq outdoors. He loves to step out and Veena also believes that exposure helps him a lot.

A wonder cook

Little Tanishq has been a fan of cooking since childhood, remembers Veena. He loves to enter the kitchen and help his mother with chopping and cleaning. Gradually, his interest took to the next level when he expressed his love for cooking dishes.

“He watches a lot of food and travel channels and very less cartoons. He then comes to me and says he wants to cook whatever interests him. Some days he makes all exquisite stuff which we upload on social media. Other days, he loves making regular dosa, sambar and chutney”, says Veena adding that his dishes are truly delectable. He only takes Veena’s help to add masalas in the right measurement to each dish of his.

Tanishq doesn’t like being asked to cook. So when he feels like, he enters the kitchen and with the help of his mother cooks something. “We let him be. We don’t even look whether the dish is healthy or not. As parents, we want him to pursue what he wants and not force him into anything. Right now, cooking means happiness, comfort and therapy for Tanishq”, says Veena adding, “Maybe after two to three years, he might find something else interesting. So we will support him in that as well. We believe in his abilities and supports him in what he likes”, tells Veena.

Also Read:

• Some tips to make cooking fun for children with autism