[VIDEO] Cycling as therapy for autism, severe ADHD child

KUALA LUMPUR – Ahmad Uzair Ahmad Syauqi has participated in about 20 cycling tournaments all over Malaysia. That record may seem impressive for an adolescent, but Uzair is no ordinary boy.

What is more inspiring is that Uzair was diagnosed with autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, when he was three years old.

According to his parents – 39-year-olds Ahmad Syauqi Ahmad Said and Munirah Hanim Ahmad Jahudi – they noticed his symptoms when he was two years old.

Munirah said they had tried everything to help Uzair.

Besides therapy, Uzair had been exposed to football, swimming and rugby sessions – where Munirah is a rugby coach for Cobra Rugby’s junior development programme in Petaling Jaya, called Cobrats – but Uzair expressed very little interest in them.

Until one day in February 2018, Syauqi decided to go on a bicycle ride around the neighbourhood and brought his children along, including Uzair.

Since then, Uzair wouldn’t want to stop cycling. It has worked as an effective therapy for him, now aged 14 years old.

The routine has helped Uzair beyond just cognitive development. It improved his sleeping pattern and strengthened his bond with the family as well as the local community.

The Vibes had a one-on-one interview with Syauqi and Munirah to get to know the family and how they have inspired many Malaysians through their autism awareness campaign.

Uzair’s next big cycling tournament will be L'Étape Malaysia by Tour de France, which will be held in Desaru Coast, Johor on June 4, where he will be cycling with his father for the long-distance-140km-route.

L'Étape Malaysia has been recorded as the world’s second-largest L’Étape by Tour de France series event with nearly 5,000 registered participants.

It offers riders a choice of two routes − 140km and 60km − and the option to participate as solo riders or as team members.

Participating in such an event, Syauqi said, helps spread awareness of autism with Uzair being a role model to many with a similar condition.

The Vibes is the official media partner for L’Étape Malaysia and is participating in two teams sponsored by the Vinod Sekhar Foundation.

The Vibes is a PETRA News company which also publishes the Bahasa Malaysia portal Getaran. – The Vibes, June 1, 2022