Hamza’s Autistic World: A Mother’s Perspective from Maya Azawi

Diversity Matters

Maya shares her experiences of moving to the UK as a child and the challenges she faced in adapting to a new culture and language. She then discusses her journey through education, including her pursuit of a biomedical engineering degree and her desire to study medicine.

Maya also opens up about her son, Hamza, and the difficulties she faced in recognizing and getting support for his neurodevelopmental conditions, including ASD and ADHD. Maya shares her experience of advocating for her son, Hamza, who has autism and ADHD. She discusses the challenges they faced in the education system, including bullying and a lack of support.

Maya fought for her son's rights and eventually found a specialist school that has made a significant positive impact on Hamza's life. She emphasizes the importance of not giving up and being a voice for children with special needs. Maya also highlights the need for happiness and acceptance in their lives, as well as the importance of understanding their rights.

• Moving to a new country as a child can be a challenging and fearful experience, especially when faced with language and cultural barriers.
• The education system may not always provide the necessary support for children with neurodevelopmental conditions, and parents may need to advocate for their child's needs.
• Getting a diagnosis for a child with neurodevelopmental conditions can be a relief, as it provides a better understanding of their challenges and opens up access to appropriate support and interventions.
• Parents of children with neurodevelopmental conditions often face lifelong commitments to supporting their child's needs and ensuring their well-being.
• Medication can be a difficult decision for parents, but it may be necessary to help children with neurodevelopmental conditions succeed academically and manage their symptoms. Don't give up and be a voice for children with special needs
• Explore all avenues and ask questions to understand why a child may be struggling
• Prioritize happiness and acceptance for children with special needs
• Understanding and fighting for your child's rights is crucial
• Maya's experience highlights the challenges and successes of advocating for a child with autism and ADHD