The Mbabali Autism Story: Stay the Course

A mother’s journey from overwhelm to advocacy, inclusion, and hope.

When Aahil was diagnosed as autistic, our world turned upside down. Overwhelmed by the diagnosis—an understatement—we were unsure of what lay ahead. We were bombarded with advice on how to “fix” him and felt pressured to help him blend in, to be more like the kids around him.

At home, even small changes could send him into a spiral—a lawn mower, a blender, a new couch arrangement, or shifting from Disney Junior.

Ismail and I worried constantly:

Would he ever make friends?
Would he find his place in the world?
Were we failing him as parents because we didn’t know how to help?

We’d absorbed the idea that Aahil needed to “keep up,” to “fit in”—to ace maths like his genius Dad Kasazo, as his peers called him.

Seeing Through His Eyes

But here’s the thing—Aahil didn’t need to change. We, the people around him, did. When others started seeing the world through his eyes, they noticed what made life harder for him: loud noises, unpredictable routines, the unspoken rules of social interaction, and food textures. These weren’t things he could just “get over.”

Early Challenges

Aahil was bright, creative, and curious, but he struggled in ways that were hard to pin down. At daycare he wasn’t potty-trained and had trouble feeding and communicating. He was called “restless” and “hyperactive,” and even when calm he seemed apart. He lined up toys in a long line, stuck his fingers in his ears, and made a funny “yiiiiiiii” sound. He hardly slept—puréed food and yoghurt were all he ate.

What We Changed

We began educating ourselves and making small, practical adjustments. We sought help from Tunaweza Children’s Centre. Julius Om became our best friend on this journey, and Dr. Becky’s tough yet gentle love helped us so much. We created sensory-friendly spaces at home (like a sand-pit tyre) and focused on what made life easier for him. Structured group play with his cousins—intentionally including every child—helped push him out of his comfort zone.

Bit by Bit, Progress

It wasn’t instant. It wasn’t easy. But bit by bit, those small changes added up to something bigger than we could have imagined. Speech came. We joined an inclusive school.

Today, Aahil has many friends and shares his enthusiasm for art. His teachers understand his needs better—and we never miss a PTC. At home, he has a family that sees his strengths and celebrates the whole of who he is.

Take it a day at a time. Advocate for your child. There will be hard days—but there will also be moments when your child feels seen, understood, and supported. When that happens, you’ll know it was worth it. Stay the course.