She’s an author whose professional and academic background seems especially appropriate for the writing of a book on autism and children.
Meet Rooman F. Ahad, MD, of the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, an assistant professor of pediatric neurology at the school as well as a child neurologist at the Grant a Gift Autism Foundation Ackerman Center, where a multidisciplinary team of physicians works in alliance with UNLV Health.
A University of Illinois College of Medicine graduate who rose to chief resident during her child neurology residency at John Hopkins Hospital, which is widely regarded as one of the world’s greatest hospitals and medical institutions, Dr. Ahad then completed a clinical fellowship at the Johns Hopkins-affiliated Kennedy Krieger Institute Center for Autism and Related Disorders.
Yes, Dr. Ahad carries some impressive credentials, the kind that normally gives birth to medical book chapters or articles in peer-reviewed journals, which the Chicago native has, in fact, published. She is the only board-certified child neurologist in the state of Nevada with supplemental clinical fellowship training in the field of autism.
But her new book, “Amazing Abe Has Autism,” isn’t what you’d normally find on a neurologist’s bookshelf alongside DeJon’s “The Neurologic Examination.” In fact, while the 20-page book full of an artist’s illustrations is meant for children of all ages, it’s specifically aimed at the age group between the ages of three and six.
“The idea for the book really came from my own children and my patients,” she says. “I realized that I wanted to create a literary space for children to understand other children with special needs. I also felt that my patients and their families could benefit from a book that highlighted a loving, kind, young man who was navigating his life without any words but so much love to give.”
The main character of the book, three-year-old Abe, is a loving and sweet boy who has delays in communication. The story is told from his point of view. “I hope,” Dr. Ahad says, “the book will help other children and families to understand autism better and dispel incorrect information regarding the diagnosis.”
The book is imbued with hope – Abe’s thoughts throughout the book have a way of touching a reader deeply: “I want to be able to tell my daddy I love him…I know I will do it soon”...“I really love..watching my friends play. One day soon I will play with them too.”
Dr. Ahad believes children can come to an understanding of autism spectrum disorder, a developmental disorder affecting communication and behavior that the CDC has reported affects 1 in 44 children in the United States. Although it can be diagnosed at any age, symptoms generally appear in the first two years of life.
“I feel children’s minds are like blank canvases waiting to be painted with information they receive as they grow and learn,” she says. “I think there is an innate empathy in children and this only becomes stronger as they watch adults around them set good examples for them. For instance, if they see a parent or teacher show kindness and understanding towards another person, they, too, will exhibit that behavior. I do not feel that it is challenging for children to understand autism if they are taught about it in the correct manner.
