Mission initiated to connect and support parents of autistic children, aiming to alleviate feelings of isolation
Mother's Intuition Leads to Autism Diagnosis for Toddler Adam
In the year 2018, Nurul Dhamirah Adam welcomed her first child, a son named Adam Rizq, into the world. However, during her confinement, she noticed something different about her newborn. As Adam grew, his developmental milestones seemed to deviate from the norm.
One of the most significant concerns for Dhamirah was Adam's lack of speech. By the age of 18 months, most toddlers should start speaking at least a few words, but Adam remained silent. This prompted Dhamirah to delve into research on children's milestones and parenting forums online.
As she continued to observe Adam, Dhamirah noticed that he did not come to ask for her attention or show eye contact. Furthermore, he was unable to jump and showed limited joint attention, which is a child's ability to coordinate his or her attention with others and share the same experience.
Dhamirah's mother's intuition led her to suspect that Adam might have autism. Her concerns were confirmed when she and her husband, Muhammad Fazli, found an online autism screening test and tried it with Adam. One of the questions on the screening test was if Adam responds to his name, and he did not.
Autism is characterised by difficulties with social interaction and communication, and repetitive behaviours. The key signs and symptoms of autism in toddlers relate to speech development, joint attention, and response to name. Toddlers with autism often show delayed or abnormal speech milestones, reduced joint attention gestures, and poor response to their name.
Supporting behaviours often include limited eye contact, preference for solitary play, repetitive behaviours, unusual reactions to sensory stimuli, and difficulties with back-and-forth social interactions.
In 2020, Dhamirah and Fazli had a second child, a daughter. As they navigated Adam's autism diagnosis and treatment, they continued to support and love him, ensuring that he received the best possible care and opportunities for growth.
[1] National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (2020). Autism Spectrum Disorder. Retrieved from https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Autism-Spectrum-Disorder-Information-Page
[2] Autism Speaks. (2021). Signs & Symptoms. Retrieved from https://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism/signs-and-symptoms
[3] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Autism Spectrum Disorder. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/signs.html
[4] American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Fifth Edition. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.
- In the quest for understanding Adam's developmental delays, Dhamirah turned to scientific resources and health-and-wellness articles about children's milestones and mental-health conditions like autism.
- As family dynamics evolved with Adam's autism diagnosis, the Adam family prioritized home-and-garden adjustments to create a soothing environment that would benefit his sensory needs.
- Building upon their knowledge of autism from various credible sources, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Autism Speaks, and the American Psychiatric Association, Dhamirah and Fazli worked on strategies to enhance Adam's relationships and foster better social interactions.
- Despite the challenges in Adam's fitness-and-exercise routine due to sensory sensitivities, they made it a priority to maintain a balanced lifestyle for all family members, ensuring mental-health support and well-being for everyone.
