Mission propelled by her son's autism aims to eliminate feelings of isolation among other affected parents
Mother's Concern Leads to Early Autism Diagnosis for Son
Nurul Dhamirah Adam, a mother from an unspecified location, found herself facing an unexpected challenge when her son, Adam Rizq, showed signs of developmental delays. Adam was born in 2018, five months into Nurul's marriage to Muhammad Fazli.
According to developmental guidelines, most toddlers should start speaking at least a few words by the age of 18 months. However, Adam was not talking, and this concerned Nurul. She began researching children's milestones and consulting parenting forums online.
Early symptoms and indicators of autism in toddlers include delayed communication, reduced social interactions, repetitive behaviors, sensory sensitivities, and difficulty managing routines or changes. Among these signs, Adam exhibited a lack of babbling, pointing, waving goodbye, or other early communication gestures, limited or no response to his name, preference for playing alone, resistance to changes in routine, repetitive behaviors, and sensory sensitivities.
Nurul's observations and the results of an online autism screening test led her to suspect that Adam might have autism. One of the questions in the screening test was whether Adam responds to his name, to which he did not. During her confinement after the birth of her second child in 2020, she noticed that Adam was still not talking.
Muhammad Fazli, Adam's father, accepted Nurul's decision to seek professional help. They took Adam for a comprehensive evaluation, which confirmed their suspicions. Adam was diagnosed with autism.
Professional screening is recommended at 18 and 24 months to detect these signs early and enable timely intervention. Parents and caregivers noticing such symptoms should consult healthcare providers for evaluation and support.
Nurul and Muhammad have since been working with specialists to help Adam manage his autism. They are grateful for the early diagnosis, which has allowed them to provide Adam with the support he needs to grow and thrive. The family continues to face challenges, but they remain hopeful for a bright future for their son.
- Nurul, concerned about Adam's lack of communication and social interaction, delved into health-and-wellness articles and parenting forums pertaining to children's milestones.
- Recognizing the importance of early intervention in managing autism, Nurul and Muhammad sought a professional evaluation for their son, leveraging the knowledge she gathered from the science of child development.
- To ensure a holistic approach to Adam's care, the family integrates home-and-garden practices that cater to his sensory needs, emphasizing the vital role lifestyle modifications play in his mental health and overall well-being.
