In conjunction with World Autism Day and World Awareness Month, FMT Lifestyle spoke with Natrah, newly diagnosed with autism and ADHD.
Speaking candidly, she admitted there were signs throughout her life that she might be neurodivergent.
“I remember being in Form 1. A teacher asked why we hadn’t done our homework, and I answered literally and got scolded.
“That pattern of things not quite adding up socially followed me into corporate life, where I’d leave meetings exhausted without knowing why,” the 33-year-old shared.
Then one day, while teaching a robotics class to a group of autistic teenagers, it dawned on her that she might be autistic, too. She saw herself in her students. “I realised that was me. After that, I couldn’t unsee it.”
She spent the next eight months trying to get a formal diagnosis.
“I faced more dead ends than I expected. The first GP I approached dismissed the possibility of autism entirely,” she recalled.
“I was dismissed by professionals early on; told, ‘You can talk, you can make eye contact, you can’t be autistic.’ That was deeply frustrating. It felt like I had to prove I was struggling enough to deserve answers.”
The breakthrough came when some neurodivergent adults she knew directed her to the right hospital. Receiving the formal diagnosis brought immediate relief.
“Having it in black and white meant I could stop telling myself to just push harder. I’ve learnt to be specific about what I need, and I’ve also stopped apologising for needing what I need. I’m glad I didn’t give up.”
Natrah described much of her experiences as invisible and dynamic.
“At work, I used to wear a cap indoors because the fluorescent lights were overwhelming – something my colleagues noticed but didn’t understand.
“I take agreements very seriously, so when a group quietly changes direction without acknowledging it, I can feel genuinely distressed.”
She also noted the strengths of her neurodivergence, one of which is being hyperfocused.
But post-diagnosis, Natrah experienced regression: more frequent meltdowns and task paralysis. Over time, interactions with other neurodivergent adults helped her understand herself better.
“One of the most important things I’ve learnt is that the goal isn’t to eliminate meltdowns, but to learn how to ride the wave. The shift from shame to ownership is probably the deepest thing my diagnosis gave me.”
Beyond her personal journey, Natrah founded Gembur Education, a social enterprise championing neurodiversity acceptance through arts and play.
“I thought about the Malay word ‘gembur’, which means ploughing the land, loosening the soil so things can actually grow. That felt like the most honest way to describe what I wanted to do: not fix people, but shift the environment so more people can thrive,” she said.
Gembur runs community events, workshops, and provides a platform for neurodivergent artists and crafters to develop and sell their work. Their outlet in GMBB in Kuala Lumpur includes a nesting space – a calm, sensory-friendly setup.
During the months of April and May, Gembur and partners are running “The Ways We Human”, an open creative expression challenge where neurodivergent individuals can share their lived experiences.
Members of the public are invited to listen, and hopefully, be able to see the world a little differently.
While progress has been made in Malaysia around early diagnosis and awareness, Natrah believes autistic adults remain largely invisible in the conversation.
“The picture of autism in Malaysia is still very narrow. It’s still largely framed around young children, and often through a lens of deficit or tragedy.”
Her message to the public is simple: be kind and suspend judgment.
“When someone behaves in a way that confuses you, pause before assuming the worst. Awareness alone isn’t enough. We need acceptance and action. It can start with how you treat the person next to you today.”
Follow Gembur Education on Instagram and Facebook.
Gembur Education
GMBB, Unit GM-2-20,
2nd Floor, Kompleks GM,
2, Jalan Robertson, Bukit Bintang,
50150 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: 013-436 6811
Operating hours: 11am-8pm (closed on Mondays)