My Journey with Abdulfattah
Aishatu Adamson
Lagos
Celebrating the Wins That Matter Most: My Journey with Abdulfattah
Parenting a child on the autism spectrum has taught me something powerful: progress doesn’t always come in big, dramatic leaps. Sometimes, it shows up in the smallest, most unexpected ways. And when it does, those little wins feel like the biggest victories.
With my son, Abdulfattah, I’ve learned to celebrate every step forward, no matter how small it may look to the outside world. Let me share three moments that filled my heart with joy.
1. Finding a Way with Fruits
Abdulfattah has always recognized fruits but never enjoyed eating them. I tried everything — offering them fresh, turning them into smoothies, even sneaking them into meals — but nothing worked.
One day, I decided to try something new. I blended fruits (avoiding watermelon because of its wateriness) with yogurt, poured the mixture into popsicle molds, and froze them. To my surprise, Abdulfattah not only ate them… he asked for more. That was the day I realized that with patience and creativity, there’s always a way forward.
2. Patience with a Puzzle
During one of our Ease Discos, Abdulfattah received a 60-piece puzzle. For a child who usually finds it difficult to sit still, I didn’t expect much. But one afternoon, he sat down, and for 20 straight minutes, he focused and completed the puzzle with no breaks.
Watching him stay so engaged filled me with pride. That puzzle wasn’t just a toy — it was proof of his growing patience, focus, and determination.
3. Learning to Share through Play
Sharing can be especially challenging for autistic children, and with Abdulfattah also having ADHD, it’s often even harder. But then came a moment that took me by surprise.
I had bought tic tac toe boards as gifts in his younger brother’s age group during the Disco. When his brother opened the board and started to play, Abdulfattah joined in. For the first time, I watched him take turns, laugh, and enjoy the game alongside his sibling. It was more than just a game — it was connection, interaction, and joy.
Why These Wins Matter
To some, these may seem like small things. But for me, they are huge. They remind me that every child’s journey is unique and that progress doesn’t follow the same timeline for everyone. What matters is recognizing those moments, celebrating them, and never losing hope.
Abdulfattah teaches me every day that growth can look different and that difference is beautiful.
So, to every parent walking a similar path: celebrate those wins loudly. They matter more than you know.