When you bring a child into the world, you think a lot about that child you have a lot of wishes from them and they make you live happy you wait for that first cry, hoping every check comes back norma from hearing to hips. You watch with bated breath as they reach milestones: the first tooth, the first words, the first steps. Every milestone fills parents heart with joy Parents waly love there children above anything For many parents, seeing their child hit the expected percentiles feels like proof that everything is going right. But sometimes, the signs you miss early on are the ones that matter most. Sometime small signs show what really matter most.
Imi never slept well, and she barely napped during the day. She was too curious, too alert, too alive to rest. Bedtime was a struggle that could take hours, and simple clothing became a battleground socks ripped off, tags cut out small things we dismissed as toddler quirks but later recognized as signs of sensory sensitivity. Night terrors and meltdowns were constant, and no one seemed to notice what lay beneath them.
Despite the challenges, Imi had an insatiable hunger for learning. She devoured puzzles and jigsaws from the age of two and was reading and writing before starting school. By six, she had read most of the Harry Potter books. Her love for learning through every day. Yet, her love for reading often kept her awake rather than calmed her, leaving us puzzled. Imi loved to read and write from every young age she read bid books like harry potter in just 6 to 5 days. Her that habit to read book won’t let her sleep at night she use to utilize time in reading books.
Her intense interests shaped our family life. Sleepovers at museums, trips to Tutankhamun exhibitions, weekend travel to special programs and everything revolved around encouraging her learning. It was clear she was gifted; her ability to absorb facts and retain knowledge amazed everyone around her. Her loved for learning books shape our family lifes.
Around age seven, the first signs of social struggle appeared. Imi could not compromise when playing games and saw situations in stark black and white. Friendships were difficult, and playground politics confusing. Making friends make me feels every challenges.Her literal thinking made subjects like math and history natural strengths, but the social world remained challenging. She was stage shy person and now tis is her big problem she can do it but she has not enough confidence. She has ability but she need more confidence to shine.
By the time she reached year four, her teacher advised us to focus less on academics and more on helping her navigate friendships. Teacher always motivate her guide her right but somehow her friends distract her. Then the COVID-19 pandemic arrived, upending routines and forcing homeschooling. Imi could not be taught in the usual way and preferred to complete her schoolwork independently. She finished quickly but then spent hours alone, overwhelmed and disconnected.
The transition back to school and the onset of puberty intensified everything. At just ten years old, Imi began her periods, and suddenly the world became almost unbearable. Lights, sounds, and routines and all previously manageable but now triggered intense overwhelm.
It was during long walks in the pandemic that I began to understand autism better. Gradually, patterns clicked into place. We raised our concerns with the school, and they agreed but securing a diagnosis has been a long, exhausting process. Imi has been on waiting lists since June 2021, and her anxiety and sensory difficulties have grown more consuming. Everyday tasks like getting dressed or attending school can feel impossible, and her responses can be explosive. We keep supporting her hoping for understanding and the right help.
Living with Pathological Demand Avoidance adds another layer of challenge. Asking her to do basic things often triggers extreme reactions. Balancing her needs, her autism, and the typical struggles of a pre-teen is like walking a tightrope with no safety net. Professional support has been limited, and we’ve had to navigate this mostly on our own, relying on local charities for guidance and training. Every day is careful balance of patience.
Despite the difficulties, we celebrate Imi’s strengths and encourage a positive understanding of neurodiversity in our home. Recently, we started an Instagram page for her art, both to showcase her talent and to provide her with a creative outlet.
As she prepares for secondary school, we continue to advocate for her. Imi is brilliant, sensitive, and deserving of an education tailored to her needs. We believe in her potential to leave a mark on the world, just like other unconventional thinkers have done. While the journey is hard, her unique mind reminds us daily that difference is not weakness it is extraordinary. We will support her every step of the way.
