Interview with Faria Arsh – Empowering Families and Revolutionizing Autism Support
- Mar 4
- 5 min read
Updated: Mar 6
In this interview, Faria Arsh, the founder and CEO of the Autism Foundation, shares her inspiring journey as a mother and multi-award-winning entrepreneur. With her unique perspective and dedication, she has developed practical solutions and training programs to support autistic individuals and their families, making a lasting impact on the community.
Faria Arsh, the founder and CEO of the Autism Foundation
Who is Faria Arsh and what do you do?
Faria Arsh is a multi-award-winning entrepreneur, best-selling author, and mother of a young adult with severe autism, ADHD, severe learning disabilities, and epilepsy. She uses her experiences to help her daughter, Afiyah, and others in need. Faria focuses on creating innovative training methods to improve the lives of autistic and disabled individuals and their families. As founder and CEO of the Autism Foundation C.I.C., she is also an ADOS-2 trained assessor specialising in autism, communication, and behavioural analysis. The Autism Foundation C.I.C. aims to support the autistic and disabled community, as well as their parents, caregivers, and professionals.
What inspired you to start the Autism Foundation?
The Autism Foundation was founded after the success of the book Toilet Training for Autistic & SEND Children and Adults, created by Faria to help her severely autistic daughter, Afiyah. After failing to find guidance from professionals, I developed my own method based on my expertise in autism and behavioural analysis. Launched in March 2023, the book has sold over 1,000 copies, with 933 success stories reported. This success led to workshops and training on autism and behaviour management.
What problems are you most passionate about solving for families and professionals?
I am passionate about raising awareness of autism and disabilities while making a tangible impact. Simply raising awareness isn’t enough; we need to create life-changing solutions for autistic individuals and their families. My focus has been on practical issues like toilet training, an area often overlooked. I’ve developed a method that has been successfully tested with many individuals worldwide, ensuring dignity and independence for those who need it.
Additionally, I've created an autism training program addressing behavioural challenges through a positive lens. Instead of viewing behaviour as a problem, we should recognise it as a form of communication. My training, ‘Understanding Autism and Dealing with Behavioural Challenges’, has reached over a hundred participants globally, including those in remote areas of Africa. By fostering a better understanding of autism, my efforts help make a real difference in the lives of autistic individuals and their supporters.
How does your personal experience shape the work you do?
My personal experience as a mother of a severely autistic young girl has profoundly influenced my professional life. It has deepened my understanding of autism from both a parent's and a professional's perspectives, allowing me to implement effective strategies in my training, such as toilet training and autism training. I realise the importance of making practical, everyday changes rather than relying solely on theoretical approaches that are hard to implement. This has guided me in creating training programs that are accessible to individuals with disabilities, their families, and professionals.
What services or support do you provide?
The Autism Foundation offers training programs, such as ‘Toilet Training for Autistic and SEND Children and Adults’, which includes a free book with sign-up. Our other training focuses on ‘Understanding Autism and Dealing with Behavioural Challenges’, viewing behaviour as a language to help identify root causes and provide positive support for autistic individuals. We emphasise sensory impairment, often overlooked by others, as it significantly affects behaviour. Our methods empower parents, caregivers, and professionals to enhance the quality of life for both the autistic person and their families. We also provide advocacy services to help parents navigate the system. For more details on our services and upcoming projects, like care facilities, visit our website. You can also support us by donating here.
What results have your workshops and training helped people achieve?
The toilet training book and workshops have significantly benefited the autistic and disabled community, promoting their dignity and independence. Each person who is toilet-trained saves about 5 nappies per day, positively impacting family life and the carbon footprint. Similarly, the autism training program has equipped hundreds worldwide with knowledge and positive behavioural methods, enhancing the lives of autistic individuals. By conducting training in schools and care homes, I've supported professionals in better managing behavioural challenges, relieving pressure on healthcare services. This empowerment has enabled autistic and disabled individuals to thrive both at home and in educational settings. The results of our training programs have been substantial, and we aim to continue expanding our impact.
How is your approach different from traditional autism support services?
Most training available is theoretical and not practical for everyday life. As a mother of a severely autistic girl, I was determined to create training programs that are easy to implement at home and in educational settings. If a method can't make a real-life impact, it's flawed. My book on toilet training is designed to be easy to read, understand, and apply. Reviewers have found it accessible for both home and professional use. Unlike other training providers, my support continues after the training; participants can reach out to me anytime with questions. My goal, along with Autism Foundation, is to enhance the quality of life for every individual we encounter, and our training methods reflect that.
What is one common misconception about autism you want people to understand?
Autism is often glorified today, with some individuals thriving and achieving great success, but this represents a minority. While people may refer to autism as a ‘superpower,’ this perspective can undermine the real difficulties autistic individuals face daily. Acknowledging these challenges is crucial for raising awareness and fostering positive change in support of the autistic community. Autism is a broad spectrum, and each person has unique challenges, making the ‘superpower’ label potentially harmful.
What would you say to someone who feels overwhelmed supporting their autistic child or loved one?
Feeling overwhelmed is common for parents and caregivers of autistic children, especially with recent funding cuts leading to reduced support. However, it’s important to remember that strategies can be learned to manage these challenges. Knowledge is power, and equipping ourselves with the right skills is essential. At the Autism Foundation, we aim to empower parents, caregivers, and professionals to support autistic children in positive ways.
What are your future goals for the Autism Foundation?
Our next project aims to establish high-quality care facilities for the autistic and disabled community. The current care sector crisis has left many without adequate support, and poorly trained carers have contributed to a cycle of neglect and abuse. As both a parent and professional, I have witnessed this firsthand. The Autism Foundation is committed to providing compassionate, well-trained care services, which we believe will significantly benefit service users and their families.
How can someone book your services or get in touch for support?
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