KLANG — Six-year-old Arisshvaran from Klang, Selangor, has proven that a medical diagnosis should never limit a child’s potential. The young boy, who is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) level 3, recently earned a prestigious spot in the International Book of Records after successfully building a giant pyramid out of 120 paper cups in just nine minutes and 58 seconds.
His achievement stands as a powerful reminder to the community that neurodivergent children possess incredible strengths when they are given the right opportunities, patience, and love.
Overcoming Early Rejection and Challenges
Before this global milestone, Arisshvaran faced severe behavioral hurdles and widespread rejection from the outside world. As a young child, he struggled deeply with regulating his emotions and faced difficulties trying to communicate.
“He likes playing football, so I approached many different coaches,” his mother, Naneecharam Muniandy, shared. “All of them assessed him for just a day and rejected him, saying he was not listening to them or had trouble focusing.” He was also refused entry into a local preschool.
Refusing to let the world limit her son, Naneecharam used her personal educational background—holding a postgraduate diploma in autism and a certificate in ADHD—to step in as his primary therapist. Through structured motor-skill activities, yoga, and taekwondo, Arisshvaran slowly learned to manage his emotions, began speaking, and expressed a beautiful desire to interact with other children. Recently, a video of him playing football went viral online, showing local neighborhood children welcoming him into their game without a second thought.
| Milestone Timeline | Key Development and Achievements |
| Early Challenges | Suffered severe behavioral difficulties; faced rejection from local preschools and sports coaches. |
| Therapy & Progress | Underwent specialized motor-skills training, yoga, and taekwondo to help regulate emotions and develop speech. |
| Family Inspiration | Followed the footsteps of his older sister, Abhineya, an autism record-holder for solving complex jigsaw puzzles. |
| Global Recognition | Successfully stacked 120 cups into a pattern matching the Malaysian flag to enter the International Book of Records. |
A Home Built on Inspiration and Absolute Acceptance
Arisshvaran found plenty of motivation right at home from his older sister, Abhineya. She also has autism and previously entered both the International Book of Records and the Malaysia Book of Records for her amazing speed in solving jigsaw puzzles.
When Arisshvaran started showing a love for puzzles too, his mother looked for a unique challenge that would fit his personal focus. She decided to try cup stacking. They started very small with just nine cups, teaching him to follow patterns inspired by the colours of the Malaysian flag. Soon, he was building giant pyramids with 60 cups easily, turning the task into one of his favorite activities.
On the day of the record attempt, Arisshvaran briefly stood up and wandered away from his half-finished pyramid. Instead of shouting, his mother gave him the time and space to find his comfort zone. A few moments later, he returned to his seat, picked up another cup, and completed his record-breaking run.
Breaking down in tears of joy when the record was officially validated, Naneecharam now shares a vital piece of advice for parents raising children with autism.
“Before other people reject them, you have to accept them first as a parent,” she said. “All kids are super talented. It is just that people do not always know how to help them develop. You need to let go of the fear and trust in their abilities.”
