Hormones and Hugs: The Chalak Family Story

Riwa Derbas Chalak joins me from Lebanon to share the story of her son Ziad, who is now 14 and entering a new phase of his autism journey. As Ziad moves through adolescence, Riwa opens up about the shifts her family has made—stepping away from traditional therapy, encouraging independence, and embracing real-life learning.

We talk about what it means to trust your instincts as a parent, the emotional toll of changing course after years of structure, and the powerful wins that come with seeing your child grow. From cooking and rock climbing to working without a shadow teacher, Ziad’s progress is a reminder that milestones don’t stop after early intervention—they evolve.

This is a conversation about hope, courage, and the ongoing process of finding what works—together, as a family.

 

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