It’s rare to hear about one dyslexic child in the family, let alone two. But the condition is indeed genetic, as one celebrity mum found out. Datin Nur Shahida Mohd Rashid, celebrity wife of acclaimed entrepreneur and founder of the D’Herbs empire, Datuk Aliff Shukri, is no stranger to dyslexia.
Here’s some of what she shared on social media about raising two exceptional special needs children.
Acceptance in the Face of Adversity
It’s not recent news that two of Datuk Aliff Syukri’s children, Qadejah and Baem, are dyslexic. Having been diagnosed with the condition at the tender ages of 6 (2017) and 8 (2020), respectively.
However, it was Datin Shahida, wife of the acclaimed entrepreneur, who has been sharing updates about it on her social media.
Qadejah, Datin Shahida’s secondborn, was the first to get the diagnosis when her school teachers noticed the tell-tale symptoms. Datin Shahida also mentioned that she’d seen some warning signs long before the diagnosis.
Qadejah, for instance, was experiencing short attention span, seeing reversed words and letters, and even putting her shoes on the wrong way. This also culminated in illegible writing, poor spelling and other difficulty with writing.
In a now deleted Instagram post, Datin Shahida revealed to the public that she had taken Baem, her thirdborn, for a screening, which showed positive for dyslexia. She did not disclose what Baem’s initial symptoms were but we can assume they must have been serious enough to warrant a visit to the specialist.
But despite having two dyslexic children, Datin Shahida is surprisingly calm and accepting. In the post she mentioned that dyslexia is a special condition that requires special treatment.
“I don’t think dyslexia is a disability, it’s just a learning difficulty. Dyslexic children require a different approach when it comes to learning and that’s okay.”
Getting Proper Help
Datin Shahida did three things right: she was quick to get her children diagnosed, she did not hesitate about sending them to a specialist, and, most of all she remained calm.
Most parents tend to overreact, panic, or worse, deny their children’s diagnosis. Datin Shahida was also a positive thinker.
She did not just look at her kids’ limitations but also celebrated their strengths.
Qadejah was creative, imaginative and extremely artistic. Traits that are not uncommon at all in dyslexic children. If there is any lesson to be learned from Datin Shahida’s experience, it’s that early intervention is important.
After getting the diagnosis, Qadejah was enrolled in a three-month programme to help treat her dyslexia. Something that she apparently did not enjoy. But after persisting, Qadejah is now able to deal with her symptoms more adequately.
She now attends regular school with her peers.
Qadejah speedy ‘recovery’ is thanks to her mum’s persistent intervention.
“I sent her to a Dyslexia Centre, hired a private tutor, and also took her to Brain Gym training. Praise be to God, Qadejah is now able to write and speak fluently.”
Dyslexia Runs in the Family
As Datin Shahida found out, dyslexia is a hereditary condition. Her husband Datuk Aliff also suffers from the same disorder, a hurdle he had to contend with since childhood. But as we see from his overwhelming success, it does not all impede your ability to achieve your goals.
Dyslexia may be challenging at first, but it is manageable.
And as we can see, dyslexic children have some of the best prognosis of all special needs children. They are still able to function in normal activities and do not need assistance with daily tasks like eating, bathing or playing.
Qadejah and Baem have also followed in their father’s footsteps. Using their large following to secure sponsors and business deals.
Dyslexia may run in the family, but apparently, so does entrepreneurship.
Spreading Awareness on Dyslexia
Datin Shahida has used her considerable following to remind parents to not be scared of dyslexia. And to get their children tested soon if any of the symptoms pop up.
Just like with many childhood disorders, early intervention is important. Qadejah and Baem are all grow up now and have even started their own entrepreneurial journey on Instagram.
Of course, we cannot deny that Datin Shahida has certain unique advantages. She has a dyslexic husband which means she would naturally be more open and familiar with the condition. She also has no lack of resources when it comes to providing the best treatment for her kids.
Not many parents share this privilege, which is why it’s so important for there to be more awareness and eventually more financial support for dyslexic children. And Datin Shahida is slowly helping pave the way for this future.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.
For more insightful stories and fun recipes, stay tuned to Motherhood Story!