Many fathers struggle to accept autistic kids despite own genetic links - Dr Say

MANY fathers have difficulty accepting autistic child, despite the irony that autism genes are often inherited from the father.

In a video posted on Instagram, celebrity doctor Dr Shazril Shaharuddin shared a heartfelt discussion about women reporting their husbands' reluctance in accepting their autistic children, often leaving them to manage caregiving alone.

"Around 5 am, a patient who is also one of my followers came to me and thanked me for sharing a lot of content about autism, as her own son is autistic.

"What made me a little sad was when she said "Doc, it's good that you stay with your autistic son".

“My ex-husband left me when he found out that our son was autistic. He couldn't accept our son like that,'" he shared in the video.

Reflecting on this, Dr Say expressed his concern about certain men feeling ashamed to have a child with autism.

In the meantime, Dr Say also emphasised that men who blame their wives for having an autistic child should understand that the genes responsible for autism are mostly inherited from the father.

"Parents who feel ashamed or view their special child as a burden should change their mindset. We should be proud and feel blessed to have such a special child," he advised.

Dr Say also highlighted that viewing such children as burdens contradicts the belief that Allah does not burden a soul beyond what it can bear.

Drawing from personal experience, he shared that having an autistic child has enriched his life in ways far beyond his own abilities.

"Let's not be like that; there's a reason why God blessed us with these children," read his caption.