Immigrant Heritage Month: Salima

Salima and her son smile and pose outside at a park.

Salima and her husband emigrated from Algeria in 2007, during a time of extreme political strife and government corruption. Although it was heartbreaking to leave, they felt the United States would be a safer place to live and would offer more career opportunities.

Salima had never been to the United States before moving here permanently. The adjustment to a new home was overwhelming for her. While some resources for recent immigrants were available, there wasn’t an active Algerian immigrant community or resources specifically for Algerian immigrants.

When her son, Anis, was diagnosed with autism at the age of 2, she again felt isolated and in need of support. Salima reached out to other parents and community organizations to learn everything she could about autism and the services her son might need. She was paired with a parent advocate who helped walk her through what to expect when Anis started school, and recommended advocating for an inclusive education for her son.

“I felt like I was doubly alienated as an immigrant and also as a parent of a child with a disability.”

“Growing up in Algeria, you really trust the schools,” Salima shares, “…you think that the school knows best, you have reverence and awe for the school and you think that they mean the best for your child…It’s hard to assume that role of ‘I know what is best for my child’ when you grow up all your life having faith in school.”

Today, Salima is an active member of her local Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) and helps other parents navigate the special education system, sharing the knowledge and skills she’s gained throughout her own journey to feeling empowered to speak up for her son’s needs at school.

Parenting is a difficult task – and parenting a child with a disability living between two cultures comes with its own set of challenges. But Salima is determined to give Anis all the support he needs to succeed while sharing the beauty and diversity of Algerian culture with him.

Recently, Anis chose to research Algeria for a project for his social studies class. He tells his family he is proud to be Algerian. “I want him to be grateful for his culture and his background,” Salima shares, “…something that he should be cherishing, and not ashamed of.”