#SHOWBIZ: Caliph Buskers singer Azmi Saat accepts daughter's autism diagnosis with gratitude

KUALA LUMPUR: After nearly a year of watching their young daughter lag behind her peers in development, Caliph Buskers lead singer Azmi Saat and his wife, Nazira Muhammad, have received official confirmation that she is on the autism spectrum.

Azmi, 39, shared that they first noticed something amiss with two-year-old Khalisa Insyirah's growth—particularly her communication skills—when she was around 18 months old.

While they lacked a formal diagnosis at the time, Nazira, who holds a diploma in Early Childhood Education, knew her daughter needed closer attention.

Taking a proactive stance, the couple immediately sought professional help, enrolling Khalisa in occupational therapy and an Early Intervention Programme (EIP).

"We tried everything within our means," Azmi revealed in a recent Facebook post.

"Even without an official diagnosis back then, my wife felt it was something we needed to pay attention to."

Their long search for clarity came to an end when doctors formally diagnosed Khalisa with autism spectrum disorder.

Azmi admitted that while extensive reading and expert consultations had prepared them mentally, the news still brought both parents to tears.

"It is not because we cannot accept Khalisa. She remains the same child before and after walking out of the doctor's room," he explained.

"It's just that as parents, so many thoughts about her future suddenly raced through our minds."

Accepting the diagnosis has brought relief and a clearer sense of direction.

The couple plan to continue her therapy, gather resources, and register Khalisa for Persons with Disabilities (OKU) status to ensure she gets long-term support.

"We now know what to look for, what to learn, and what assistance Khalisa might need. We also know what we, as parents, need to change and adapt to step into her world," Azmi wrote.

The journey carries deep emotional weight for the couple, who married in 2011 and endured a decade-long wait before welcoming Khalisa in November 2023.

Their firstborn, Khairul Afnan, tragically died just three days after birth in September 2021 due to brain failure.

Azmi emphasised that he chose to share their story not to solicit sympathy, but to offer comfort and guidance to other parents navigating similar paths.

"Sometimes we want our children to match what we envisioned so much that we forget to truly understand the child God has entrusted to us," he wrote. "Please pray that our journey is made easy."