Hormones and Hugs: The Chalak Family Story
Apr 25, 2025
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Hormones and Hugs: The Chalak Family Story
As Autism Awareness Month comes to a close, we’re ending on a deeply human, hopeful, and honest note—with the story of the Chalak family. In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Riwa Derbas from Lebanon, the devoted mother of 14-year-old Ziad. What makes this story so special is that it’s not just about Ziad—it’s about a family learning, growing, and adapting together through one of the most transformative stages of life: adolescence.
Ziad is in the thick of puberty, a phase already known for its challenges—but when combined with autism, the stakes feel higher and the wins feel even more powerful. Riwa walks us through Ziad’s major milestones: from saying goodbye to his shadow teacher at work, to thriving in a kitchen program where he gets paid and builds independence, to learning to read—something Riwa once thought might never happen. And yes, we talk about cookies. Lots of cookies.
One of the most striking parts of Riwa’s story is her honesty about burnout and the courage it took to make a change. After over a decade with the same therapy team, she followed her gut and made a difficult—but ultimately life-changing—decision to transition Ziad to a new team, one better suited to his teenage years. The shift to real-life, functional learning—shopping, cooking, budgeting—has not only benefitted Ziad, but lifted a heavy emotional burden from the whole family.
This episode is filled with laughter, emotion, and the little moments that define big breakthroughs. From his sibling relationships (a mini-parent and a mini-therapist!) to Ziad’s clever cookie-hunting missions, to the importance of adapting the way we teach as kids grow—Riwa reminds us that nothing is set in stone. Not therapy plans, not diagnoses, and definitely not what your child is capable of.
“At one point, I thought this program was cast in stone. But there is no perfect recipe. There is only what works now—for your child and for your family.”
Riwa’s story is a must-listen for any parent navigating transition periods, reevaluating their child’s therapies, or simply needing reassurance that following your gut matters. Because no one knows your child—or loves them—the way you do.
