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Madina Masumi M.Ed. | Parent Educator & Certified Coach

@parentingwithmadina

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#parenting #styling #dmvmother #selflove

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Motherhood changes so much—but at the heart of it, you’re still you.

Join us for an intimate evening of thoughtful conversation, meaningful connection, and personal style. Together with parent coach Madina Masumi and stylist Fatima Masumi, we’ll explore what it means to care for the woman behind the mother.

An evening of conversation, light bites, sips, and community.

Friday, August 14 • 6:30 PM
📍 Alas Eius | Mosaic District

RSVP: hello@alaseius.com

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🎙️ I’m so honoured and excited to share something special with you!

I had the incredible opportunity to be a guest speaker on a global autism platform - Autism Knows No Borders (@autismpodcast ) (@globalautismproject ). This is my very first podcast interview, so go easy on your girl!

When I started sharing our autism journey online, I never imagined it would lead to conversations like this.

But, here we are.

In this episode, I share my journey, the realities of autism in the Afghan community, and why culturally informed autism awareness and support matter so deeply. My hope is that this conversation reaches Afghan autism families who feel unseen and reminds them that they are not alone.

This is just the beginning of many conversations I hope to have as I continue advocating for Afghan children with autism and their families.

A huge thank you to the *Autism Knows No Borders* team for creating a space where stories like ours can be heard.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify (link in my bio/story).

If this episode resonates with you, I’d love to hear your thoughts and please consider sharing it with someone who might benefit from it. ❤️

#AutismKnowsNoBorders #AutismAdvocacy #AutismAwareness #AfghanCommunity #AutismAcceptance

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🚨NEW ON THE BLOG 🚨

Some stories don’t just deserve to be told! They demand to be heard. This is Arshi’s autism story ( @arshis_happyhands )
 A story of an Afghan mother who knew, even when everyone around her said “she’s fine.”

A story of loss, resilience, and relentless advocacy.

A story that reflects a reality so many Afghan families are still facing in silence.

From early regression… To being dismissed… To finally receiving a diagnosis… To fighting—alone all the time—for the support her daughter with autism deserved…

✨This is what advocacy looks like. ✨This is what a mother’s love looks like.

In our Afghan communities, autism is still misunderstood.
 It’s minimized. Dismissed. Hidden. But, silence delays support and our autistic children deserve better.

Arshi is thriving today not because she “grew out of it,” but because her mother refused to give up on her.

This story is a great reminder that: 
✨Awareness matters. ✨Early intervention matters. ✨Believing mothers matters.

✔️Let’s stop the silence. ✔️Let’s start understanding. ✔️Let’s stand beside our children, not in denial, but in support.

👉 Read the full article now on the blog under LIVED STORIES page at afgautismparenting.ca and drop some love!
🔗 Link in bio. 
Let’s continue creating a safe space for Afghan families navigating autism.

Please SHARE with your family and friends!

#autism #autismawareness #asdmom #afghans #afgantiktok

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If you’ve been craving a pause… this is your moment 🤍

The Women’s Reset is a space to:
• Release what feels heavy
• Reconnect with your energy
• Realign with who you’re becoming

You don’t need to be “ready.”
You just need to come as you are ✨

📍 May 16 | 2–5 PM
📍 Arlington, VA

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This Reel is a small glimpse of the stories shared through my blog - Afghan Autism Parenting Journey - so far, from Afghan autism parents, families, and dedicated Afghan medical and mental health professionals.

To every parent who trusted me with your story…
To every professional who offered your voice, guidance, and expertise…
And to everyone who showed up with honesty, courage, and hope…

Thank you.

This platform exists because of you, your lived experiences, your knowledge, and your willingness to break the silence around autism and build understanding within our wider Afghan community.

I see you.
I appreciate you.
I am deeply grateful for you.

With respect and gratitude,
Freshta 🙏🏻❤️

#autismacceptance #autismawareness #afghan #autism #autismo

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This month marks the first anniversary of this Instagram page.💙

When I first created this space, I honestly didn’t know what would come from it. I’m naturally a very introverted person, and starting this page felt scary.

But, I did it anyway.

And, what started as one introverted Afghan autism mom sharing her story has grown into a beautiful community of Afghan families navigating autism together.

Since then, something incredible has happened. I’ve connected with so many Afghan families raising children on the spectrum. I’ve also met online a few Afghan medical and mental health professionals who have been incredibly supportive of this work and willing to contribute to the blog - Afghan Autism Parenting Journey.

One of the most meaningful moments was collaborating with some other fellow Afghan autism moms on the Autism Awareness video. And, because of their voices, the message reached many more Afghan parents, helping bring autism conversations into our community.

I’m truly grateful to every Afghan parent, professional and supporter who has been part of this journey.

I also want to thank my non-Afghan followers and fellow autism parents here! Your support, encouragement, and shared experiences have meant so much to me. Even though this space focuses on Afghan families with autistic children, the kindness and solidarity from this wider community has been truly meaningful. 💙

Lastly, I want to share something important: Everything I do through this page is completely voluntary! There is NO MONETARY GAINS behind any of it.

I simply do this because I want to support and help Afghan autism families and create a space where our community can learn, connect and feel less alone. 💙

My hope is that even more Afghan families raising children on the spectrum will find this space, join the conversation, and know they are not alone. 💙

#autism #afghan #autismawareness #autismacceptance #autismmom

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🚨NEW ON THE BLOG 🚨

Seeing the child first. Always. 🤍

When we talk about autism, it’s easy for labels to become the focus. However, every child with autism is so much more than a diagnosis.

On the blog today, Madina Masumi (M.Ed.), a licensed K–12 Afghan-American school counselor and certified parent coach (@parentingwithmadina ), shares a powerful reflection on autism, identity and the importance of seeing the whole child before the label.

From her early memories of hearing the word “autism” for the first time, to a moment with a parent that completely shifted her perspective, Madina jan reminds us that autism is part of a many children’s story, but it is not the entirety of who they are.

As conversations about autism continue to grow within our Afghan communities, professional voices like Madina jan’s help us move toward deeper understanding, empathy and acceptance.

✨ Read the full article now on the blog under LIVED STORIES page at afgautismparenting.ca and drop some love!
🔗 Link in bio. 
Let’s continue creating a safe space for Afghan families navigating autism.

Please SHARE with your family and friends!

#autism #autismawareness #asdmom #afghans #afgantiktok

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‎در این رمضان، به یاد داشته باشید: اوتیسم با روزه گرفتن متوقف نمی‌شود. با کودکان اوتیستیک مهربان باشید. با والدین‌شان صبور باشید. مهربانی شما می‌تواند دعای مستجابِ کسی باشد

#اوتیسم_را_بشناسیم #اوتیسم_چیست #autism #autismacceptance #ramadan

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At an Afghan engagement where children usually aren’t included, my autistic son was allowed to stay where he felt safe.

A small moment with a huge impact. Deeply thankful to my brother, my niece and her in-laws for being so accommodating and showing what real inclusion looks like.

Advocacy truly matters. 🤍

👉 Share this with someone who needs to know that advocacy matters and acceptance starts at home. 🤍

👉 Tag someone who advocates for their child and helps make spaces safer. 🤍

👉 Save this, share it and speak up for your children! The world learns through us. 🤍

Let’s normalize accommodations and remind families everywhere that advocacy changes lives. 🤍

p.s. A special thanks to my niece, Crystal jan ( @lashcrystals ) for granting me permission to use her engagement photos for this post! ❤️🙏🏻

#autism #autismacceptance #autismadvocacy #autisminclusion #autismmommy

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This story is not only for Afghan parents of children with autism!

It is for every Afghan reading this.

If you do not have an autistic child, you still have a role. Silence is not neutral! It protects stigma. Looking away does not keep families safe! It keeps them isolated.

Every time this topic is ignored, another Afghan child with autism grows up unseen and another Afghan autism parent carries their fear alone.

‼️Share this post even if it makes you uncomfortable.

‼️Share it even if you “don’t know much about autism.”

‼️Share it because awareness does not start with experts! It starts with community.

Autism exists in Afghan families whether we speak about it or not. The question is no longer if it’s there, but whether we will continue to hide it or finally stand up for our children.

If you believe Afghan children deserve dignity, understanding, and acceptance, then prove it.

Don’t scroll past this. Don’t stay silent.
Share this post. Break the silence.

#autism #autismafghanistan #autismacceptance #autismawareness #autismproud #autismmoms #autismdads #afg #afghan #afghanistan #afghani #breakthestigma #breakthesilence #اوتیسم #اوتیسم_کودکان #اوتیسم_چیست #اوتیسم_را_بشناسیم #اوتیسم_را_دریابیم

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‎ در افغانستان، بسیاری از کودکان که اتیسم یا تفاوت‌های عصبی دیگر دارند، فقط ‘دیوانه’ گفته می‌شوند

‏‎اما هر کودک منحصر به‌فرد است — همان‌طور که هر درد مفصل، روماتیسم نیست. بیایید از برچسب‌زدن دست برداریم. بیایید شروع به درک کردن کنیم.

In Afghanistan, many children with autism or other neurological differences are simply called ‘Dewana.’ 😔
But every child is unique just like not all joint pain is rheumatism. 💛

Let’s stop labeling. Let’s start understanding.

#AfghanAutism #Neurodiversity #AutismAwareness #EndStigma #MentalHealthMatters #autism #autismacceptance #autismsupport #autismadvocacy #autismadvocates #autismmoms #autismdads #اوتیسم #اوتیسم_کودکان #اوتیسم_چیست #اوتیسم_را_بشناسیم #اوتیسم_را_دریابیم #اوتیزم

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