Interviewed by: Maali Jamil, from 360Moms team.

Asma Belrhiti is a mother of two children, Saja and Bader. Saja is a beautiful girl with Down syndrome and Bader is a bright kid with autism. Not only is Asma a hardworking mother handling the cards she's been dealt with in the most inspiring way, but she is also an advocate for the much-needed autism and Down syndrome awareness in the Middle East.

Please introduce yourself and your children.

My name is Asmaa Belrhiti and I am married. I am from Moroccan and living in Kuwait. I am a mother of two lovely children. My daughter Saja is nine years old & my son Bader is seven years old. My girl was born with Down syndrome (DS) and she is verbal. My son is diagnosed with autism; he is nonverbal and uses the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) to communicate. He recently started mimicking sounds, which has made his speech therapist and us very hopeful. We are now optimistic about future language acquisition. My children are smart, funny and stubborn at times. They are like children, and I love them just the way they are.  

Why did you start blogging?

I started blogging to spread awareness & fight stereotypes about Down syndrome & autism. Even today, some people still think that autism can be cured by firm discipline. Or that autism is caused by the lack of maternal love.

​What are common misconceptions about Down syndrome and autism?

When it comes to Down syndrome, there are many prejudices and misconceptions; for instance, a lot of people in the Middle East think that children with Down syndrome are not able to have an education & get jobs like the rest of us, or that they can’t do sports or excel at them. I think that our society underestimates the potential of children with special needs. As a mother of two children, I feel it’s my job to show the world what they are capable of and share our successes, struggles and overall spread the message of love. To evolve as a society we need to educate ourselves, especially the youth in our region, about children with special needs. We should embrace our differences and accept the other because we are all more alike than different. Inclusion is the key to a healthy society.  

How has raising two special needs children changed your views on life and parenting?

Motherhood changed my perspective on life. It taught me how to be patient and appreciate the little things in life, and for that, I’m very grateful.  

What is your children's relationship like? Can you share something that makes your children truly and blissfully happy?

Like all siblings, my children do share a lovely bond. Saja, our blooming flower is a very nurturing young girl, she is quite protective of her younger brother. She also tends to let Bader know when he is wrong. To see Saja’s kindness shine towards other children, and even animals bring us great joy. She is a hardworking and determined child. She is also very organized, a great painter and an exceptional baker.

Bader is a loving boy, smart, funny but if he gets bored his mischievous side does get the best of him. He loves spending time with his sister. You always find them either playing together or just sitting side by side. Sometimes if she is too busy playing with her dolls, he would tease her by taking them away to get her attention. Contrary to what some people may think children with autism do interact & even initiate play, they just do so in their own way. He has enough endurance to make the most veteran athlete look like a couch potato. He is also a great swimmer and has recently found a new interest in numbers.  

What do you wish people in the Middle East knew about Down syndrome and autism?

As a proud mother to these unique and beautiful children, I feel it’s my job to spread awareness and show the world what our children are made of. It's our duty as parents, caregivers & teachers to nourish our children, expose them to everything & watch them grow into independent adults. Because at the end of the day none of us can make it without all the support and love.

Follow Asma's blog: proudmomdiaries.com