Parents ask

Aygün Namazova (also spelled Aygun Namazova) is an Azerbaijani psychologist and psychopedagogue based in Baku and the Deputy Director of the LOQOS Psychological and Speech Development Center. She has worked with children since 2011: speech delay, autism, Asperger’s syndrome, ADHD and special educational needs. She graduated from Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University (2000–2005) and from the Faculty of Psychology at Baku Slavic University.

Look for three things: relevant education (psychology and pedagogy), verified training in assessment (for example Denver II or MOXO d-CPT), and whether the specialist works in a team with speech therapists and teachers. Aygün Namazova combines all of these: 15 years of practice, two degrees, 11 training programmes and a leadership role at LOQOS, Azerbaijan’s largest network of such centres.

Call the LOQOS centre on +994 70 600 46 48 or the Yasamal branch on +994 70 284 46 48. You can also send a request from her specialist page on pnm.loqos.az. The centre is open Monday to Saturday, 9:00–18:00.

According to Aygün Namazova: syllables at 9 months, first words (“mama”, “papa”, “water”) by one year, word combinations at one and a half, simple sentences at two, complex sentences at three. It is important to tell addressed speech, when a child calls mum “mama”, apart from babbling, when the same syllables are used for everything.

Based on Aygün Namazova’s interviews.

The earlier the better: the sooner work begins, the sooner results come. If speech is still delayed after age three, a specialist visit is a must. Speech should normally be formed by three; with speech disorders it can keep developing until five, which is why problems must be assessed and corrected in time.

Based on Aygün Namazova’s interviews.

If a child has no speech, Aygün Namazova recommends starting with a psychopedagogue rather than a speech therapist. Understanding has to form first: a child must make sense of the world to be able to name it. The speech therapist steps in once understanding is there but sounds and words are mispronounced. Which specialist is needed is decided after a psychological assessment.

Based on Aygün Namazova’s interviews.

It is corrective work with children with special educational needs: autism, Down syndrome, intellectual disability, coordination disorders. The child first goes through psychological adaptation, calms down and learns to follow instructions, and then teaching begins. The LOQOS programme leads from adaptation through logic, imagination and academic skills to school readiness.

Based on Aygün Namazova’s interviews.

The work is built on ABA, PECS, Son-Rise and TEACCH, which the LOQOS team translated into Azerbaijani and adapted for the centre. Denver II and MOXO d-CPT are used for assessment, and the Portage programme for early intervention. For autism the centre runs complex therapy: psychopedagogy, psychology, sensory integration and therapeutic exercise.

Based on Aygün Namazova’s interviews.

Watch for these signs: avoiding social contact, no eye contact, withdrawal, not using speech even when it is there, repetitive behaviour and narrow interests. If you notice them, have the child seen by a psychiatrist, a neurologist and definitely a psychologist for assessment. A lack of speech or weak eye contact alone does not mean autism.

Based on Aygün Namazova’s interviews.

Aygün Namazova stresses that autism is not a disease but a difference, and it stays for life. A child can make great progress: they gain academic skills, their behaviour improves, they start talking, and many children with atypical autism study in mainstream schools. The keys are early intervention, an individual programme and working together with the parents.

Based on Aygün Namazova’s interviews.

With Asperger’s, a child has speech but finds communication hard. They dislike change, repeat the same behaviours and have weak eye contact. Reactions are too intense or too weak, the voice is monotone, emotions don’t fit the situation, and interests are narrow and deep. A narrow interest can be turned into a strength and used to help the child develop.

Based on Aygün Namazova’s interviews.

Often the cause is low self-confidence. Sometimes too much is demanded of the child at home and they are pushed too hard. They know the answer but feel shy and are afraid of being wrong, so they avoid speaking. A specialist finds the cause and works with both the child and the family.

Based on Aygün Namazova’s interviews.

Fine motor skills are hand–eye coordination: writing, doing up buttons, tying laces, threading beads, drawing, using tools. If a child can’t put on their own shoes, that is a sign of weak motor skills. At LOQOS, therapeutic-exercise specialists handle gross motor skills and psychopedagogues handle fine motor skills.

Based on Aygün Namazova’s interviews.

Screens give information one way only, and children start avoiding communication. It is far more useful to play together and build motor skills: modelling, baking, drawing, and explaining along the way what you are doing and why.

Based on Aygün Namazova’s interviews.