{"id":10405,"date":"2024-06-22T11:26:00","date_gmt":"2024-06-22T11:26:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ayolqadri.uz\/living-with-an-autism-diagnosis\/"},"modified":"2026-06-24T08:57:48","modified_gmt":"2026-06-24T08:57:48","slug":"living-with-an-autism-diagnosis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ayolqadri.uz\/en\/living-with-an-autism-diagnosis\/","title":{"rendered":"Living with an Autism Diagnosis"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Not every parent is able to calmly accept a life-changing diagnosis for their child. Yet some choose to face reality head-on and do everything they can to prepare their child for an independent future. One of them is Kamola Mirzaliyeva, Director of Akfa Medline Clinic, who founded a center that helps not only her own son but many other children as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Text by Barno Ikramova<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n

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“Unfortunately, based on the examination results, we have to diagnose your child with autism. Autism is a condition that affects communication. With this form of autism, Mustafa does not require constant assistance from others.”<\/p>\n\n

For parents of children with autism spectrum disorders, words like these can sound almost like a sentence.<\/p>\n\n

\u201cWhen I heard the diagnosis, I immediately began asking the doctor question after question. Is there a treatment? What medications should he take? Do we need special equipment? But the specialist simply replied: \u2018There is no medication for this condition.\u2019 <\/p>\n\n

That answer was not enough for me, so I started searching for information online. I kept thinking that perhaps Mustafa would never call me \u2018Mom.\u2019 Perhaps he would never achieve the things I dreamed of for him. The diagnosis felt like a catastrophe. It was as if my entire world had collapsed in an instant. <\/p>\n\n

I could not stop the stream of thoughts. Would I ever see him grow into a happy adult? Would he be able to get an education? Would my son ever speak? <\/p>\n\n

Like any mother, I dream of the day when Mustafa will stand at a university podium and say, \u2018I achieved this thanks to my parents and the people who believed in me.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n

Eventually, the family decided to create a school for children with autism. \u201cWe founded this school to help children with autism. We named our center Aaron, hoping it would become a source of strength and support for children like Mustafa and help them reach their full potential.\u201d <\/p>\n\n

My son Mustafa is six years old and has been diagnosed with autism.During infancy, we did not notice anything unusual. However, when he turned one, we became concerned that he avoided eye contact, did not respond to his name, and showed little interest in toys. He did not play with them the way other children did. If he wanted a toy, he would not reach for it himself. Instead, he would take our hand and use it to indicate what he wanted. <\/p>\n\n

As a mother, all of this worried me deeply. At the same time, I tried to reassure myself that perhaps he was simply developing a little later than other children and that everything would eventually fall into place. <\/p>\n\n

Because I worked at Akfa Medline Clinic, I often accompanied Dr. Khalid, a physician invited from India, on consultation visits throughout the regions of Uzbekistan. During meetings with parents, he frequently asked questions such as, \u201cHas your child been diagnosed with autism?\u201d or \u201cHave you noticed any specific behavioral characteristics?\u201d <\/p>\n\n

I felt as though those questions were being asked directly to me.<\/h2>\n\n

After returning from one of those trips, I invited Dr. Khalid to our home. He spent about two and a half hours observing and interacting with Mustafa before saying: <\/p>\n\n

\u201cFor me to make an accurate assessment, I will need evaluations from a neurologist, neuropsychologist, speech therapist, and other specialists.\u201d<\/p>\n\n

After that, we began a long series of examinations. Mustafa was assessed by various doctors. His brain, hearing, and overall health were thoroughly evaluated. At the same time, I continued my own search for answers. I read books, studied scientific articles, and explored every source of information I could find. <\/p>\n\n

Unfortunately, at that time I was unable to find a specialist in Uzbekistan with the level of expertise needed to diagnose autism. I began considering taking my son abroad for further evaluation. <\/p>\n\n

But Dr. Khalid advised me otherwise. He explained that it was extremely important for a child to work with specialists who spoke the same language as the family.<\/p>\n\n

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If a family speaks a particular language at home, the specialists working with the child should speak that language as well.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n

I explored options in several countries and eventually chose Israel, known for its advanced healthcare system and strong track record in working with children diagnosed with autism. <\/p>\n\n

Our entire family traveled there. Mustafa underwent a comprehensive two-week evaluation at the Maspen Clinic in Israel. <\/p>\n\n

Pull Quote<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Even then, I continued to hope that the diagnosis would not be confirmed.<\/em><\/p>\n\n

Even then, I continued to hope that the diagnosis would not be confirmed.After a comprehensive assessment conducted by an ABA therapist, occupational therapist, speech and language pathologist, pediatrician, neurologist, neuropsychologist, geneticist, and other specialists, Mustafa was diagnosed with autism.<\/p>\n\n

When I heard the diagnosis, it felt as though the entire world had collapsed around me.<\/p>\n\n

The doctor explained that my son had a severe form of autism.<\/p>\n\n

Pull Quote<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

The doctor explained that my son had a severe form of autism. When I heard those words, it felt as though my world had fallen apart. <\/em><\/p>\n\n

My first question was:<\/p>\n\n

\u201cCan it be treated? What medications does he need?\u201d <\/p>\n\n

The doctor replied:<\/p>\n\n

\u201cThere is no medication for autism.\u201d<\/p>\n\n

I was not ready to give up.<\/p>\n\n

\u201cPerhaps he needs surgery? Special equipment? Where should we go? What should we do?\u201d <\/p>\n\n

The specialist patiently explained:<\/p>\n\n

\u201cAutism cannot be cured through surgery or medication. There is no pill that can instantly solve the problem. This condition requires long-term, consistent, and systematic support.\u201d <\/p>\n\n

That was how Mustafa received his official autism diagnosis at the age of two and a half.<\/p>\n\n

Many parents never imagine that their child could have a condition like autism. They assume their child is simply energetic, mischievous, stubborn, or difficult. But autism requires a much deeper level of understanding and attention. <\/p>\n\n

One of the greatest challenges is learning to understand what the child truly wants and is trying to communicate. For parents, this can be an incredibly demanding journey. <\/p>\n\n

When a child cries, for example, you do not always know why.<\/p>\n\n

Mustafa still does not speak. Over time, however, we learned to understand him through his gestures, behavior, and the way he takes our hand and leads us toward the things he needs.<\/p>\n\n

The most difficult moments came when he was ill. Most children can tell their parents what hurts or explain how they are feeling. Mustafa cannot. <\/p>\n\n

As a result, we had to become detectives of sorts\u2014carefully observing every change in his behavior, trying to understand what was causing him discomfort, and learning how to communicate without words.<\/p>\n\n

Mustafa\u2019s daily life, habits, and behavioral patterns differ from those of most children.For example, we were only able to teach him how to brush his teeth when he was five years old. Before that, we used a finger toothbrush or a special glove and did our best to care for his teeth ourselves. We understood how difficult a visit to the dentist could be, so we tried everything possible to prevent serious dental problems. <\/p>\n\n

Today, Mustafa allows us to bring a toothbrush to his teeth, but even now, brushing them properly remains a challenge.<\/p>\n\n

We pay particular attention to his bathing routine, personal hygiene, and nutrition. He drinks only plain water. His preferred fruits are bananas and apples, while his favorite meals are pilaf and porridge. <\/p>\n\n

We prepare a separate omelet especially for him. It must contain exactly three eggs. If there are more than three, he will refuse to eat it. Mustafa can identify the ingredients of a dish simply by its smell. At the same time, he does not eat sweets, chocolate, or cookies at all. <\/p>\n\n

We named our school Aaron Academy. Aaron (Harun) was the brother of the Prophet Moses. According to the Holy Qur\u2019an, Moses prayed for a close companion who would support him and help him overcome the difficulties he faced in communication. That story inspired us to choose the name Aaron for our center. <\/p>\n\n

Our goal was to create a place where children with special needs could find strength, understanding, acceptance, and support.<\/p>\n\n

The center operates in partnership with Akfa Medline Clinic. Children first undergo assessment by the clinic\u2019s specialists and are then referred to our school. If we observe consistent progress during their education and support program, we recommend transitioning them to a mainstream school.With autism, even seemingly minor details cannot be overlooked. <\/p>\n\n

Take eye contact, for example. For Mustafa to understand a request, follow an instruction, or simply pay attention to what I am saying, our eyes need to meet. Yet many children with autism instinctively avoid eye contact.After learning about the positive effects of animal-assisted therapy, we brought dogs named Theo and Lucky into our lives, as well as a cat and a horse named Aaron. <\/p>\n\n

Mustafa eventually became friends with all of them.Today, he sits confidently in the saddle like an experienced rider. But reaching that point took time.<\/p>\n\n

At first, he spent an entire month simply looking at pictures of horses. Then he spent almost two months observing a horse from a distance. Only at the end of the second month did he finally gather the courage to touch and stroke one for the first time. <\/p>\n\n

In the past, Mustafa would not touch anything with a furry or fluffy texture. He also needed time to become comfortable around dogs and cats. Today, however, he has formed a wonderful bond with all of them. <\/p>\n\n

Many parents give up too soon. They try something two or three times, fail to see immediate results, and stop. But children with autism need a consistent, structured, and long-term approach. <\/p>\n\n

I am deeply grateful to the team at Oxbridge International School. It was thanks to this school that my son was able to attend a mainstream kindergarten. There, he made more than twenty friends. <\/p>\n\n

Despite being nonverbal, Mustafa is fully accepted by the children in his group, and they genuinely care about him. <\/p>\n\n

\u041d\u0435\u0441\u043c\u043e\u0442\u0440\u044f \u043d\u0430 \u043e\u0442\u0441\u0443\u0442\u0441\u0442\u0432\u0438\u0435 \u0440\u0435\u0447\u0438, \u0434\u0435\u0442\u0438 \u0432 \u0433\u0440\u0443\u043f\u043f\u0435 \u043f\u043e\u043b\u043d\u043e\u0441\u0442\u044c\u044e \u043f\u0440\u0438\u043d\u044f\u043b\u0438 \u041c\u0443\u0441\u0442\u0430\u0444\u043e \u0438 \u0438\u0441\u043a\u0440\u0435\u043d\u043d\u0435 \u0435\u0433\u043e \u043b\u044e\u0431\u044f\u0442.<\/p>\n\n

The school also helped arrange a dedicated support aide for him. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to her as well. Together with his teacher, Elena Anatolyevna, we were able to make inclusive preschool education possible for Mustafa. <\/p>\n\n

When the school day ends and Mustafa hears his surname, he immediately knows it is time to go home. His aide accompanies him to the kindergarten gate. <\/p>\n\n

He also accepts horseback riding lessons only from his trainer, Nozim aka. Mustafa does not respond well to other instructors. His home caregiver also plays a special role in his life. As soon as I return from work, my son lets her know that her day is finished and that she can go home. <\/p>\n\n

Pull Quote<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Routine and predictability are extremely important to Mustafa.<\/em><\/p>\n\n

\u041e\u043d \u043c\u043e\u0436\u0435\u0442 \u0441\u043d\u043e\u0432\u0430 \u0438 \u0441\u043d\u043e\u0432\u0430 \u0441\u043c\u043e\u0442\u0440\u0435\u0442\u044c \u043e\u0434\u0438\u043d \u0438 \u0442\u043e\u0442 \u0436\u0435 \u043c\u0443\u043b\u044c\u0442\u0444\u0438\u043b\u044c\u043c \u0438\u043b\u0438 \u0438\u0433\u0440\u0430\u0442\u044c \u0441 \u043e\u0434\u043d\u0438\u043c\u0438 \u0438 \u0442\u0435\u043c\u0438 \u0436\u0435 \u0438\u0433\u0440\u0443\u0448\u043a\u0430\u043c\u0438. \u0412\u043e \u0432\u0440\u0435\u043c\u044f \u043f\u0440\u043e\u0433\u0443\u043b\u043e\u043a \u0441\u043f\u043e\u0441\u043e\u0431\u0435\u043d \u0447\u0430\u0441\u0430\u043c\u0438 \u043d\u0430\u0431\u043b\u044e\u0434\u0430\u0442\u044c \u0437\u0430 \u0437\u043d\u0430\u043a\u043e\u043c\u044b\u043c\u0438 \u0438 \u043b\u044e\u0431\u0438\u043c\u044b\u043c\u0438 \u043c\u0435\u0441\u0442\u0430\u043c\u0438. <\/p>\n\n

Mustafa is not particularly fond of Akfa Medline Clinic. When he was three years old, doctors there stitched a head wound after an injury. He still remembers that experience clearly. <\/p>\n\n

When Mustafa was a year and a half old, we moved to a different home. Thanks to his remarkable spatial memory, he remembers our previous house perfectly and sometimes takes us by the hand and leads us back there. <\/p>\n\n

My main message to parents of children with autism or Down syndrome is simple: love your children exactly as they are.<\/p>\n\n

It is important to remember that every child is a gift entrusted to us by the Creator.<\/p>\n\n

Our responsibility is to help our children learn to care for themselves, gain independence, and find their place in society.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Not every parent is able to calmly accept a life-changing diagnosis for their child. Yet some choose to face reality head-on and do everything they can to prepare their child for an independent future. One of them is Kamola Mirzaliyeva, Director of Akfa Medline Clinic, who founded a center that helps not only her own […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":10398,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[66,185],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10405","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health","category-stories"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ayolqadri.uz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10405","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ayolqadri.uz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ayolqadri.uz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ayolqadri.uz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ayolqadri.uz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10405"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/ayolqadri.uz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10405\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10406,"href":"https:\/\/ayolqadri.uz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10405\/revisions\/10406"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ayolqadri.uz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10398"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ayolqadri.uz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10405"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ayolqadri.uz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10405"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ayolqadri.uz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10405"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}