April sees the marking of World Acceptance Month, focusing on promoting understanding and acceptance of people on the autism spectrum worldwide.
According to Maha Al-Hilali, technical adviser to the Minister of Social Solidarity for Rehabilitation and Disability Affairs, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition that typically manifests in early childhood.
It is characterised by a diverse range of challenges, particularly in communication and social interaction. People with ASD often experience difficulties interpreting nonverbal cues, such as facial expressions and tones of voice, which can hinder effective interpersonal communication.
Children with ASD require consistent care, empathy, and support from their families. Their journey begins with a diagnosis but unfolds as a lifelong path shaped by perseverance and hope.
One mother of an 18-year-old with autism in Cairo said that “I struggled to take him out of the house despite the challenges. His father resisted because he was ashamed of him. But I refused to hide our son. I wanted him to see the world, even if it meant struggling through his panic at the noise of cars and motorcycles and his tendency to run off or remove his shoes on the street.”
“Gradually, he began to adapt. I dedicated one hour each day for him to go outside, fearing the toll of isolation and depression.”
The mother, who preferred to remain anonymous, said that “for the first nine years of my son’s life, I was afraid to engage with him. I believed he had a mental illness. At the time, there was no awareness about autism, and no online resources to guide me as there are today.”
“I later realised that it was all about training. These children are like blank slates, and their mothers are often their entire world. I was late preparing my son for life, but I did my best. I let go of fear and decided to embrace my role as a mother to a child who knew nothing about the world but me. That’s why I urge all mothers to begin educating their children early, because the longer you wait, the harder it becomes.”
A teacher by profession, she said that “my son wore diapers until he was 13, when I made the decision to stop buying them once and for all. I took him to the bathroom every 10 minutes, never scolding him in unfortunate incidents. But whatever he did, I would celebrate and take him outside as a reward. Eventually, he got used to using the bathroom on his own.”
“My son didn’t chew his food and used to drool constantly. So, I took on the task of teaching him how to move his jaws to chew. I succeeded again. At the age of 14, he learned to chew food, which improved his digestion and overall health. Within a year, the drooling had completely stopped,” she said.
Nahla is the mother of an autistic 10-year-old girl. “She couldn’t brush her teeth because she couldn’t control the movement of her jaws. She would often eat the toothpaste. But she improved with training, and I replaced the toothpaste with a natural alternative made of coconut oil and turmeric,” she said.
“My 10-year-old daughter has a neurotypical sister who is three years younger. When relatives come over to play with the younger one, my older daughter eagerly welcomes them and wants to join. But they are afraid of her. Over time, she understood that they didn’t want to play with her, so she stopped trying. Now, I’m the only person she knows.”
Another mother, Lamia, said that “I faced a challenge that might seem trivial to others, but it was deeply distressing for me. My son was terrified of the sound of the blender, a significant obstacle given that I work as a chef, preparing and selling homemade meals online.”
“However, gradually I helped him overcome his fear. I would let him know in advance that I was about to switch on the blender, reassure him that there was nothing to fear, and embrace him as I turned it on. Over time, he became accustomed to the sound.”
For Rasha, another mother of a child with ASD, the most harrowing experience came when her son was assaulted at a daycare centre. “My son nearly lost his life. He was nonverbal due to a severe form of autism and was unable to communicate the abuse he had endured. I discovered the truth by chance, when I had to return to the centre unexpectedly.”
“Though I pursued legal action, I couldn’t bring myself to place him in another facility. We remained at home together for two years. I sank into depression, but eventually I resolved to rise again and continue our journey. Today, he can speak a few words, something I once believed would never happen.”
A JOURNEY: The journey of raising a child with autism sometimes extends beyond providing care, often becoming a mission to raise awareness, as was the case with Cairo mother Rania Al-Hawari.
Al-Hawari’s realisation that her son was autistic came late in his childhood, as initially she suspected her son was suffering from hearing loss and fluid buildup in his ears and believed that a surgical procedure would resolve the issue. But when improvement did not follow, she started reading scientific articles. It was only after her son turned five that the diagnosis became clear.
Persevering until her son managed to reach grade three, Al-Hawari came to believe that knowledge and awareness are the most powerful tools for supporting children with autism. She pursued studies in behaviour modification, skills development, and therapeutic nutrition, earning a doctorate in medical analysis. She created a WhatsApp group titled “Me and Autism,” and today she supports other mothers facing similar challenges.
The most critical step in treating autism is early diagnosis, particularly given that the root causes of the condition remain unknown and there is no definitive treatment. Al-Hawari urges mothers to seek early evaluation if they notice that their child does not respond to eye contact or smiling, or if the child displays persistent screaming.
She educates mothers on signs that their child is experiencing abuse in daycare or therapy sessions, as she said that children with autism are unable to defend themselves or express discomfort. Warning signs may include self-harming behaviour, such as hitting themselves, or, in older children, bedwetting. She recounted the case of a mother whose child began scratching his face violently, which made the mother suspect her son was being mistreated.
One question commonly asked by mothers on Al-Hawari’s online group is about enrolling their autistic children in school. “Enrollment is possible across all levels of education,” she answers. “The documents needed are a birth certificate, a recent IQ test for all types of disability, a hearing test (for hearing impairments), a vision test (for visual impairments), an autism assessment, a copy of the parent’s ID, proof of school enrollment, and a formal request by the parent for their child to join the school.”
She has also compiled a list of the disabilities accepted in schools. These include “mild intellectual disability, visual impairments (blindness or low vision), motor disabilities (including cerebral palsy, excluding severe cases), hearing impairments (with hearing loss ranging from 40 to 70 decibels), intellectual disability (IQ 65-67, including Down Syndrome), slow learners (IQ 68-84), Irlen Syndrome (a visual processing disorder), and attention deficit disorder,” she added.
Al-Hilali explained that one of the key characteristics of ASD is difficulty with communication. “Many people with ASD experience challenges in using and understanding language. They may find it difficult to start conversations or understand jokes and metaphors,” she said.
“In addition, they often struggle with social relationships. Forming friendships or interpreting the emotions of others can be difficult, which may lead to feelings of isolation. Many autistic people show heightened or reduced sensitivity to sensory stimuli such as loud sounds or bright lights. These sensitivities can cause discomfort or anxiety, especially in crowded or noisy environments.”
“Autistic people prefer routine and structure. This helps them feel safe and stable. Changes in routine can trigger anxiety or confusion. Because of these traits, programming and data analysis may be particularly suitable for people with ASD. These roles tend to involve structured tasks, limited social interaction, and a consistent working environment.”
“Autistic people can thrive in the job market, especially when they receive support. Many possess exceptional skills that make them valuable assets in specific fields,” she said, adding that “people with ASD can work in the fields of the arts, design, scientific research, and management, where they can apply their strong organisational abilities.”
“Importantly, they must be in a calm, well-structured work environment, with clear and straightforward instructions, supportive colleagues, and flexible work arrangements,” Al-Hilali said, citing a Columbia University study in the US, which concluded that when given the right support, people with special needs often excel in their roles.
She also gave advice on how to interact with people with ASD across different settings.
“At school, create a supportive learning environment using flexible teaching methods and visual aids to enhance comprehension. In public spaces, encourage social interaction through group activities and offer assistance when necessary. At clubs or recreational venues, organise activities that promote social skills, such as team-based games. In the workplace, train staff on how to effectively support colleagues with ASD and work towards building an inclusive and respectful environment,” she concluded.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 24 April, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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