OSW is in conversation with Samina Kousar, Founder Director of SAM Institute of Special Education and Rehabilitation in Abbottabad and mother to Aarij Ali. She is also CEO of Logics Soft Ware House and Institute of IT; Chairperson of Khidmat-e-Adam Welfare Society and SAM Welfare Trust Abbottabad.
Tell us about your journey?
My journey started just after my BSc exams. I got married. My first baby Aarij was born after one year. The doctors told me that Aarij was not “normal” and that you will have to face many problems. My son was 13 days when I came to know that he had something called Down’s Syndrome. From that day I started working with my child. I am an IT professional. I searched everywhere on the net to learn more about what he had, treatment, therapies and any other issues.
There were many challenges. My son was differently abled in many ways. I travelled from Karachi to Peshawar to find any institute where my son could get therapies in one place. That kind of institute didn’t exist. He started crawling at 5.5 years. I put him in mainstream schools after that and continued his speech and physio therapies and also focussed on his behaviour. AH he started improving a lot but there was no academic progress. I was helpless and disappointed.
I decided to take matters in my own hands. I set up my own SAM institute of special education and rehabilitation. I got training in special education, autism, ABA and other special needs care and management and hired professional qualified staff. We provide one services one roof. Now that kind of institute exists.
Tell us more about SAM?
I established SAM in 2012 and we are providing speech therapy, 
physiotherapy, psychotherapy, behaviour management and sports.
What inspired you to start it?
I wanted to help other mothers. My struggle and travels from city to city for my son’s therapy motivated me to start a model set up where all facilities were under one roof.
What is the first piece of advice you give to parents or carers starting on this journey?
Just do your best and believe in Allah who will never waste your hard work. Acceptance and early intervention is key. Parents and siblings specially mothers really matter.
What support did you get from friends and family to start this organisation?
Obviously my famly especially my husband supported a lot. The centre’s co-founder, Director Ajmal Waheed also supported a lot. He is the backbone of SAM.
What was the most difficult moment in your family’s journey?
There were many times when no one understood my feelings for my son. My in laws did not understand. It was hard to manage the situation.
What do you think we need in our communities to create more awareness and acceptance?
Families with special needs children can play a very effective role in creating awareness and acceptance. We can work with other families on different forums, network and share issues and solutions.
What is the number one challenge that parents come to you with?
Lack of acceptance and awareness. Some parents don’t want to understand the issue and spend a lot of time comparing their child with others.
Where do you see special needs provision in Pakistan in 5 years?
In Pakistan big cities are now providing learning opportunities. The role of Special Olympics is very important by providing guidelines for special needs trainings etc. I hope the next 5 years are even better for our children.
What gives you hope?
My son and every child with special needs gives me hope, motivation and strength.
