When traditional therapy became too costly and waitlists stretched painfully long, Nurul Dhamirah didn’t wait on the sidelines — she innovated. After noticing her son Adam’s autism signs and facing obstacles accessing early intervention, she turned to a proven tool from his ABA therapy: visual cards.

Visual supports are widely used in autism care to assist communication and reduce anxiety. Just like visual schedules — which 43% of parents report using — they present cues visually, helping autistic children decode routines, express needs, and feel empowered in daily life.

For Nurul, visuals weren’t just supporting Adam — they were transformative. So she created My First Visual Cards, a set of 168 cards across nine categories (like playtime, emotions, routines), available digitally and physically. Each set comes with game ideas, follow-up guidance, and workflow tools — designed to give families practical support in moments of overwhelm.

Her story goes beyond resource creation — it’s about connection. Through an Instagram account documenting their autism journey, Nurul found thousands of parents who resonated with her experience of feeling alone in complex moments. Now, her tools and words illuminate a path for others seeking clarity amidst uncertainty.

In her own words, “Autism isn’t something to cure — it’s something to understand.” Her work teaches that clarity, empathy, and creativity can transform a parent’s burden into a beacon for others. 

This post was derived from an article in CNA Lifestyle.