Dear Parents

I am a father of a girl with Autism. As usual like many children with regressive autism we noticed deterioration in her language and more isming soon after 18 months of age.  Despite of our concerns as parents the doctors and fellow colleagues kept on reassuring us that it might be a STAGE in her development and soon it will be over. However with my medical background and my wife’s concern we went to a developmental paediatrician who evaluated her and referred her to a psychologist for the diagnosis. Then on a revisit with all the evaluation reports, he announced with a hand on my shoulder that she has “Autism”. First I thought he is saying mutism as we are taught little about this rare disorder (1984 medical school books). Soon I recalled that it is a pervasive developmental disorder. I turned to my wife and told her about that. The paediatrician meanwhile wrote his notes and said “I am sorry there is nothing much you can do”. I smiled at him and he thought that the stress had negative impact on me and I am not taking it well. I told him that the reason for this smile is that we feel that we are blessed and we don’t ask that unfair question ‘why me?” as we think "why any body else?"  May be God gave this responsibility because we are capable of handling this. To cut the long story short it took a while for us to figure out the current trends in Autism research and we were finally able to put a program together, involving multiple disciplines. I researched the biomedical aspects of autism and literally walked on biochemical charts highlighting evidence based research and matching the molecules known or attributed to certain behaviours. Applying those in an individualized manner and with control environment (eliminating possible confounding variables) gave us very amazing results. Regarding her curriculum we did encounter some therapist who changed their focus every now and then and also believed in psychics and tried to made us believe that fears and certain behaviour in autism are related to her past life and the place we live and we should change our residence. However we did learn from every one who came in our lives and home to help her. We have nothing but gratitude and deep regards for them. Eventually I entered into the field of ABA/VB and a evidence based structured program was designed for her. This made her progress tremendously well in all areas of her development especially her curriculum gains and cognitive functioning were amzing. She know speaks full sentences, doing her curriculum with excellent results and developing into a fine young girl! We have very helpful community and some of the families went out of their ways to help us in many ways. My wife Uzma's intuition and her dedication along this journey made this so manageable.

 Looking back at the struggle to get the appropriate information for our child even with myself being a medical professional, we thought about the challenges faced by other parents who usually fall into the hands of those who are not trained to diagnose early or have unrelated, non-science based backgrounds. It is important that you do not fall into the hands of those who claim cures. Please ask questions about their experience, as some might have been in this field for long but have worked with unproven methods. This is the reason that we shared this vision with our lovely friends and with their support and untiring efforts “The Autism Centre of Canada” was founded and registered as a not-for profit organization which later got the charitable status. The program designed here is called “MDHA” a Multi-Disciplinary Holistic Approach to Autism. The MDHA is not a rigid model. It is evolving as the research in the field and progress of each individual in the program evolves. We provide comprehensive assessment (ABLLS and Socialization Questionnaire) and guidelines for each individual according to their strengths, history, diagnosis and family dynamics. The center also trains family and workers for one-on-one therapy. The one-on-one approach combines the most recent ABA/VB concepts, relationship-based interventions along with gradual introduction of play-based (NET) and educational modules. The dignity of individual as a person is maintained and the child is motivated to develop relationship and rapport with people around him or her. We emphasize and encourage acknowledging, requesting and celebrating any tangency from child - physical, verbal or eye contact. The results are motivated child, with the social desire to be included, expressing appropriate emotions and a great sense of humour. Once we have a child who is motivated to learn from people then we introduce curriculum through skill-based and educational-based interventions from the best of manuals available. The techniques are fun based and practical e.g. for teaching subtraction we have people instead of numbers only and by moving them around concept of subtraction is taught. These interventions are applied through "scheduled home schooling" in order to gradually prepare them for the transition to the mainstream school. We believe that physical training in any suitable form is an integral part of an individual and it is just like the fresh blood for the mind. It also helps children and adults sleep better through the night.

 This to me is the most gentle and clement approach to these individuals, maintaining their integrity at all costs, accepting them as they are. I think the key is that we do not focus on ourselves and how to get them to do what we want them to do but instead acquiesce in, channelize our energies to focus on their strengths on what they "can" do instead of what they "cannot" do.

 I will encourage parents to believe in their own potential to be the best resource for their child and hope in their child’s potential to recover. I ask professionals to keep themselves more open to new dimensions science is taking in this field and published research. I request government agencies and philanthropist organizations and individuals to support our cause as this will result in affordable and available help to many individuals and families they so desperately need NOW.

 Please feel free to contact us

Kindest personal regards and prayers,