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From denial and regret to healing and purpose — this was how one father’s journey with his autistic son became the seed for the Autism Cafe Project.
Every morning, the house in Bukit Jelutong quietly stirs to life. There’s no rush, no noise — just steady footsteps and the gentle clinking of dishes being washed.
At the sink is 26-year-old Luqman, moving with calm precision as he scrubs every plate. To many, it may seem like a simple act. To his father, Adli Yahya, it is nothing short of a miracle.
“The cleanest plate you’ll ever see is washed by Luqman,” he quipped in a voice which blended both pride and awe.
But their story didn’t start with that. In fact, it began as a storm.
‘I wanted the perfect family’
Adli grew up in Kota Bharu and spent decades climbing the corporate ladder, where he imagined himself settling into a life consisting of a stable job, wife, and kids.
When Luqman, his second child, was born, everything seemed to fall into place. Until it didn’t.
He was only two years old but was extremely neat. He’d line up his slippers when he got home. That’s when we noticed something was different.”
In the mid-90s, autism wasn’t widely understood as there were no quick Google searches or support groups to address this oft-misunderstood condition.
As for the “red flags” (speech delays, social withdrawal, peculiar habits), they were brushed off as quirks and it wasn’t until years later that the word “autism” entered Adli’s vocabulary.
However, it was a word that didn’t sit well with him.
“I couldn’t accept it. I had this vision of a perfect child. Luqman’s diagnosis shattered that,” he recounted.
Unable to cope with the sense of denial that came with the dignosis, it quickly turned into frustration, anger, and at times, abuse.
“I became the kind of father I despised in movies. The one who yells. The one who scares his child. While Luqman never fought back, he would just look at me with eyes full of fear, as if asking what did he do wrong.”
Making amends
As years passed, Adli slowly began to see that he was pushing his own son away and realised he had to rebuild his relationship with Luqman.
Thus, Adli tried holding Luqman’s hand while walking with him at the park as the first step, only for Luqman to pull away after a few seconds.
That’s when I truly felt what he must have felt all those years. The rejection. The hurt. I knew I deserved every second of it.”
However, Adli didn’t give up and continued to patiently rebuild his bond with Luqman. Over time, Luqman began to open up and Adli was finally able to see his son for the first time.
“He taught me success isn’t about grades or promotions. It’s about progress, from being unable to being able,” he added.
The birth of Autism Cafe Project
In 2017, Adli quit his job as Executive Director and set up a nasi lemak stall at the roadside.
“I knew nothing about F&B, but I knew Luqman loved playing with water. So I gave him the sink and watched him shine.”
The humble stall later became the seed for the Autism Cafe Project (ACP) — a social enterprise where autistic youths are trained not only to cook, but to find purpose too. From cooking to crafting bracelets, Adli structured every task based on the individual’s strengths.
Luqman, once unable to hold a pen properly, now designs his own beadwork — some of which are sold in collaboration with Uncle Roger (aka Nigel Lim).
“He used to stare blankly when I asked him to do something. Now he thinks. He acts. That’s a huge win and I’m so proud of him,” Adli remarked.
Since ACP’s founding, Adli has worked with over 100 autistic individuals. While some stay on for years, others “graduate” and move on to start their own ventures. There are no rigid timelines or KPIs but only progress, however small it may be.
As time passed, another worry began creeping into Adli’s mind: “What’s going to happen when I’m gone?”
Despite it being a legit fear, it helped sparked a major development for ACP — the ACP Group Home, a quiet house in Bukit Jelutong located not far from Adli’s own where autistic youths can live, work and thrive under a new model of supported independence.
As for the business model, it has shifted from walk-in dining to catering, meal pack supply, and conducting sales outside of ACP Group Home.
Adli explained that he designed the premise to house only six people for a specific purpose: to help staff keep sight of the purpose of their job.
Big centres lose the personal touch. I don’t want staff who clock in for a paycheck. I want people who care.”
Small successes
Adli shared one particular instance which testified to Luqman’s ability in carrying out tasks like any normal child would despite his autism diagnosis.
“One day, while selling nasi lemak at ParkCity Medical Centre, I was talking to a friend when a customer came. I then told Luqman rather absentmindedly to prepare two packets before returning to the conversation.
“When I looked back again, I saw two neatly packed packets sitting on the counter.
I can’t describe the feeling. It might sound small, but to me, it was like winning the lottery. He understood, he acted, and he did it perfectly.”
Now, Adli says he no longer measures Luqman against the standards of the “real world.” Instead, he focuses on what Luqman can achieve at his own pace, in his own way.
“If it takes him five years to learn something, so be it. What matters is that he learns and grows.”
‘He’s the greatest teacher I’ve ever had’
Instead of resenting Luqman’s autism, Adli is deeply grateful that his son’s condition has changed his perspective on life for the better.
I used to see him as a liability. Now, I see him as the person who taught me the most about life.”
While their relationship isn’t perfect, but it’s full of trust and void of the anger and distance that used to lay between them.
“Sometimes Luqman looks at me, and I hear his voice in my head. We don’t need words anymore.
“To parents whose kids are autistic, don’t wait. Don’t leave it to the school, therapists, or the world. You are the parent. You are the one who must fight for your child.”
They’re having a market this weekend (16–17 Aug, 2025). Check them out! ✅
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