What Do I Do After My Child Is Diagnosed with a Disorder!

You are confused and deeply afraid... feeling as though you have lost control of your life... We see you, we feel for you, and we know that

the diagnosis milestone is usually one of the hardest stages in your life journey! So much ambiguity and blurred vision around what your child's disorder is: What will their future look like? How will society accept them? Can I educate them like their siblings? You might enter a spiral of self-blame over any shortcoming that could have resulted in your child developing this disorder, which you certainly had nothing to do with!

1. Cast fear aside and think of your child... your child alone.

2. Have faith in God's decree and give yourself time to adapt to your child's diagnosis,

3. Expand the circle of others' acceptance of your child, involve your child in events accompanying international days, never isolate your child from society, and take them with you on family visits and weekly outings,

4. Give yourself time to learn about organizations and advocates for people with disabilities; you may find them on social media or in charitable associations for families of people with disabilities in your city.

5. Look for a service provider that allows you to train on how to interact with your child; there are many who have the passion and generosity to provide information and appropriate educational methods for your child, so do not hesitate to reach out to them,

6. Think about your child's future and plan for it starting now, through knowing their interests, inclinations, and strengths and weaknesses; educate those around you about your child's needs (psychological, social, educational needs),

7. Your child is capable of learning, but needs twice the time of their peers; capable of engaging in society, but needs you to build this step,

8. Believe in your child's abilities, for faith works miracles!

9. Give yourself enough time to find out what support, schools, therapies, and environments will help your child succeed,

10.Be flexible in dealing with your child's needs; you may try many different approaches to handling your child, and one result may be better than another,

11. It is okay, there is plenty you can do with your child until you find the right key to interacting with them,

12. Give yourself a chance to know what the child likes, for you know your child better than anyone else,

13. Learn what they like and dislike, what their favorite educational tools are, and what recreational tools they enjoy...

14. There is so much to create with your child, so much time to understand them, to give them safety, love, and education—just be the world in their eyes.

Originally published in Arabic. This English version was produced with AI-assisted translation; the Arabic original remains the reference.