Worries over autistic child give mum anxiety attacks

 

Siti Maizura Rashid and her son Mishary Muazzin, who suffers from autism. (Siti Maizura Rashid pic)

PETALING JAYA: Worries over the future of her autistic child have caused a mother to suffer anxiety attacks.

Siti Maizura Rashid’s second child, Mishary Muazzin, nine, is still unable to speak. He requires early intervention therapy at a private centre and special schooling to improve his social development.

“To persuade him to attend (the special school) is a challenge given his tendency to throw a tantrum. We will still send him, even if we are late. We don’t want him to lose out,” she told FMT.

Because of financial constraints, Mishary can only undergo one therapy session a week at the cost of RM560 a month.

“That is what we can afford. The best available therapy for Mishary would cost us RM1,100 (a month),” said Maizura, adding that she is grateful to receive aid of RM400 from Johor Baitulmal.

Unfortunately, the family has other concerns over another child. Mahdi Mikael, six, suffers from atopic eczema, which requires treatment at the Sultan Ismail Hospital costing RM4,000 a month.

Maizura said she is awaiting approval for aid from the hospital’s social welfare department as the treatment cost is beyond her family’s means.

The plight afflicting her two sons has caused Maizura to suffer from anxiety attacks. She worries about her children’s future if something were to happen either to her husband or to her.

“I have been overwhelmed by my family’s predicament and have suffered anxiety attacks due to worries over who would take care of my children,” said the 33-year-old mother.

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Maizura lamented the lack of facilities for persons with disabilities such as therapy centres and homes, especially for autistic children who have lost their parents or guardians.

“We have many old folks’ homes and orphanages, but no homes for children with autism. They’re different from ordinary children,” she said.

She hopes the government will set up more therapy centres to ease parents’ burdens and expedite the treatment of children with autism. - FMT