Little Brother with Autism Inspires Sister to Become Psychologist

By Luthf Izz Qaisy – 

A passion driven by a sibling’s love in the struggles of facing public judgement

Photo caption: Hanz Nabeel (left) and Nia Firzanah (right) posing together.

Fourteen-year-old Hanz Nabeel Bin Mohamad Zahid’s world is coloured by his diagnosis of autism and the unwavering support of his elder sister, Nia Firzanah Binte Mohamad Zahid.

According to Babilou Family, a France-incorporated Early Childhood organisation, the public may view autistic individuals in a negative light because of certain associated behaviours such as aggression and meltdowns.

“[A] passerby would sometimes give that judgmental look, and on one occasion, one lady even made a ‘tsk’ sound towards him,” Nia said.

Despite it being just one occurrence, it is one of the many times Nia and her family has felt discomfort with public reactions.

Hanz, who is non-verbal, is able to communicate effectively with his family by clapping, stomping and blinking, she added. He may also squeal to express his feelings.

Nia said people should not judge someone because of the way that they are born since it is something out of their control. She said she would rather the passerby give her little brother a smile or a high five than discourteous actions or comments.

Her brother’s diagnosis kindled her passion for neuroscience and medicine, leading her to pursue her studies in biomedical sciences at Republic Polytechnic with hopes of advancing research and contributing to the field.

“There’s a lot of things that are unlike what you would find in a neurotypical brain, and since there’s a lot of research ongoing about that, I hope to be part of that,” she said. “My own brother actually has been a huge inspiration for me to be a psychologist.”

According to Psych Central, people diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder tend to adopt an approach called “bottom-up thinking” where they use details to form concepts in their minds.

That means while they might take slightly longer to sieve sensory details out, they are less likely to overlook crucial pieces of information, according to the article. This form of detailed-focused thinking may allow them to analyse and gauge data with great accuracy. 

According to HealthHub Singapore, approximately one out of 150 children have some form of autism spectrum disorder, which is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects how a person communicates, behaves, learns and interacts with others.

People who are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder can display a range of symptoms including heightened anxiety in social settings, repetitive movements, auditory sensitivity and echolalia.

Like most children, Hanz enjoys spending most of his time at home watching television, drinking his favourite soda and watching his house cats from a distance.

One characteristic for some people with autism spectrum disorder is that they find comfort in structure or routine. Having a predictable pattern works well for their heightened sensory sensitivities as it fosters a less overwhelming and stimulating environment. 

If they spend extended periods of time outside, he may get restless and tired. Hence, their family would usually try to compromise with Hanz first before running other errands such as going shopping.

“Our family has to complete his routine of going out to eat first and then buying his favourite snack,” said Nia.

Hanz is enrolled in Rainbow Centre which is a social service organisation that provides practical education and empowers people with disabilities. There, he actively participates in many different activities that focus on honing his sensory skills, such as arts and crafts.

In an interview with the Straits Times, Ms Tan Sze Wee, the executive director of Rainbow Centre said that: “The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted every aspect of our lives, even more so for those in the autistic community and their families, who had to struggle with the increased levels of social isolation and stress in the marathon of caregiving.”

For people diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, there are certain behaviours they can’t control like stimming, which helps them regulate their emotions, especially in overwhelming situations. 

Yet, stimming can occur in individuals who don’t have autism spectrum disorder as well. It can come in the form of twirling their hair, biting their nails and shaking their legs. In this regard, people with autism spectrum disorder are no different from neurotypical individuals.

Kenneth Poon, the president of Rainbow Centre and a board member of the National Council of Social Service, wrote a TodayOnline article, emphasising the importance of making room in our hearts for people who may seem different from us.

The reactions that society displays, such as staring and chiding, also impact the confidence of someone who has autism spectrum disorder or the family’s confidence of involving themselves in society.

It’s essential that we adopt more inclusive attitudes to ensure that not only individuals from the autistic community, but the neurodivergent community in general, feel welcomed and not ashamed. Just like anyone else, they too need a listening ear.

In the words of Audre Lorde, “It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences.”

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Edited by Kosaku Narioka