QF expert highlights crucial role fathers play in shaping a child’s personality

Doha, Qatar: During a special event at the school, Abdullah Al Muhannadi, a student at Renad Academy, part of Qatar Foundation s Pre University Educat...

Doha, Qatar: During a special event at the school, Abdullah Al Muhannadi, a student at Renad Academy, part of Qatar Foundation’s Pre-University Education, proudly stood before his peers and teachers. Spotting his father among the attendees, Abdullah waved enthusiastically and announced, “This is my father.”

Abdullah’s desire for everyone to know who his father was is a direct reflection of the support his father, lawyer Khalid Al Muhannadi has shown him. Since Abdullah was diagnosed with autism, his father has stood by him like a rock, literally and figuratively holding his hand through everything, be it the school corridors or their majlis — a sitting room used for social gatherings.

 “Since Abdullah was diagnosed with autism, I realised my critical role as a father and reorganised my priorities. My number one goal became to care for my son and develop his skills to facilitate his integration into society,” said  Al Muhannadi.

The father and son duo are constant companions, together they explore places in Qatar, travel and engage in social activities. “Our trips together have allowed us to form a deeper bond and strengthened Abdullah’s personality, particularly his self-confidence and emotional stability,” said  Al Muhannadi. A study conducted by the Doha International Family institute (DIFI), a member of Qatar Foundation, showed that active parental presence positively affects a child’s overall development by providing a supportive environment. And that for children with autism, parents must provide emotional and educational support appropriate to their special needs.

Dr. Khaled Al Naama, Director of the Family Research and Policy Department at DIFI, said: “Emotional support from parents greatly helps children with autism overcome challenges and be successful. It provides them with the required social skills that help them carry out simple daily tasks and become independent.” “The father in particular plays an important role in enhancing communication and building relationships with children with autism, and this includes active attention and participation in activities. The father can form a positive model for the child in communication, motivate him to develop his social skills, and make him feel safe and reassured,” Dr. Al Naama added.