In this episode, we’re joined by Farah Danish, a passionate autism advocate and special education professional with over 30 years of hands-on experience. Farah’s journey is one of resilience, shaped by her role as both a mother to a child with autism and an educator. She opens up about her personal challenges and growth, sharing insights from her work as a certified Special Educator, Behaviour Therapist, and Brain Gym Movement Facilitator.
Podcast Transcript:
Sofia: Get help for yourself first, because the emotional roller coaster ride you’re about to embark on—nobody prepares you for that. The first thing people tell you is, “Your child needs these many therapies, this many times a week,” and all you’re doing is mentally calculating how expensive it will be.
Welcome to Enara Talks. I’m your host, Sofia. Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Farah Danish—a dedicated special education professional and advocate for children with autism.
Farah’s journey as a mother and her extensive professional experience have shaped her mission to transform inclusion and empowerment in autism support. With over 30 years of personal experience with autism and eight years as a special educator and therapist, Farah is transforming autism care by focusing on the entire family, not just the child.
Sofia: Farah, thank you so much for joining us today! Let’s begin with your experiences as both a special educator and a mother to a child on the spectrum.
Farah: Thank you for having me, Sofia. This journey started with my son, who is on the spectrum, and also with my sibling, who is autistic. Working with my son led me to become a special educator and therapist. Over time, I realized I enjoyed this work and wanted to extend it to help other families.
Sofia: You mentioned growing up with a sibling on the spectrum. How did that influence your parenting?
Farah: It taught me the importance of respect. My sibling’s challenges helped me instill respect and responsibility in my children. For example, my oldest son, who is on the spectrum, is treated as the eldest sibling, which fosters mutual respect within our family.
Sofia: How has your connection with your son evolved?
Farah: Initially, I was in "fix-it mode," constantly focusing on therapy rather than building a relationship. My husband reminded me that our son needed a mother, not just a therapist. This shift helped me bond with my son and find joy in simply spending time with him.
Sofia: What advice would you offer parents just beginning their autism journey?
Farah: Start by getting help for yourself. The journey can be overwhelming, and if you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t be able to show up for your child. Also, focus on building a bond with your child, not just addressing the label.
Sofia: How do you help parents advocate for their children?
Farah: Teach self-advocacy skills. Encourage children, whether neurodiverse or neurotypical, to stand up for themselves. For example, I taught my son to say, “I need help,” which has empowered him in many situations.
Sofia: What role does technology play in supporting children with autism?
Farah: Technology is transformative. I use tools like AI for lesson planning and comprehension exercises with my son. Simple solutions like speech-to-text or calculators can remove barriers and help children focus on their strengths rather than their challenges.
Sofia: What message would you like to leave for educators and parents?
Farah: Respect is key. Respect children’s experiences and individuality, whether they’re on the spectrum or not. Respect fosters trust and allows everyone—educators, parents, and children—to thrive.
Sofia: Thank you, Farah, for sharing your insights and experiences. Your words of wisdom are truly inspiring.
Sofia: Thank you for tuning in to Enara Talks. If you found Farah’s story inspiring, please share this episode to help raise awareness about autism and inclusion.
