We too can make a difference

DR RADICA MAHASE

Al-Hassan Khan is 14 years old. He is a form three student of Point Fortin East Secondary School. He has grown from a child who could not understand the world around, a child who struggled to cope in school and to keep up with academic work, to a teenager who embraces any challenges today.

He was told that he would fail the SEA exam and was insulted many times because he could not answer correctly. He worked hard to pass his exam and today he embraces his secondary school life.

Khan was top the student in form two out of 130 students. He represented his school in Atlantic LNG Agricultural School Competition recently. With the support of his parents, he was able to produce a kitchen garden where they reaped patchoi, lettuce, chive, celery, tomatoes, pimento, sweet peppers and many other crops. He enjoys playing Roblox with his two brothers and classmates. He also enjoys making late-night eats with his brother, Al-Ameen.

Less than one month ago, Khan was one of the main speakers at the opening of Rahul’s Clubhouse, an autism-friendly space, located in Marabella. Khan spoke about his experiences as a child on the autism spectrum. Here is Khan's speech:

“My name is Al-Hassan Khan and I am here to share my experience with you. I am the product of high-functioning autism with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). What is my life like? To me, it is normal. I see myself to be functioning normal because I do not consider myself any other way. I live my life adjusting to the world all the time. There are always some rules to follow and not on my time or under my conditions. I think in those moments is where things go downhill with my parents.

The haircut time, the homework time, and all other times – but with the clever and just right strategies my parents always get through to me. Roblox is where my freedom is at. There are no limitations for me there.

Growing up, I always seem to misunderstand what is said and at the same time, I am misunderstood by others – that’s my autism there. Many times, I miss the social cues. I am also quick to blurt out my mind which always gets me into trouble with my mother. I think it's the tone too, that's when my ADHD kicks in. At clinic, they told me about looking at social stories to help me out but the application is the problem. I have to work harder on that.

If you do visit me, remember, do not touch my laptop, my bed, my blanket, in fact anything belonging to me. My stuff is clean and I like it where is, how it is and why it is there. That's how I see it. My parents on the other hand, strategise on getting me to take my plates and cereal bowls to the sink, clear my empty water bottles and the list goes on and on and on. Leave it up to me, it may never get done.

I cannot work without structure; I will feel lost and become overwhelm. This can bring on a serious meltdown and I will need to go to my safe space. Let me know in advance where I am going, why, how, and when. I think my parents have learnt that the hard way by now. They know how life becomes easier for them when I am prepped, many grey hairs less and they are still sane. I guess my visual daily schedule poster on the wall worked.

When I was younger, the worst is to be on a sensory overload with either the food, clothing, an odour or noise affecting you and your parents just don't get it. They couldn't see what was wrong, because to them everything is normal but for me it was unbearable torture overcoming me. Things would get crazy. Thank God, they have learnt my triggers and life is better.

When I think about my younger days growing up, it was very difficult for me to adjust to many things and to be able to do what was expected of me both at home and school. I struggled a lot at school, not because I did not know my work but because of the inability to complete it in the required time and at that time I did not have an aide to assist me. I felt frustrated many days because, at the end of the school day, most of my work were not done and the board would be erased. This was not an easy time for me but my challenges have made me become a stronger person.

I will continue to do my best with God on my side, my parents, my relatives, my principal and my teachers who have ensured that my transition from primary to secondary school was smooth and making inclusion a reality for me, my aide, my classmates, Support Autism T&T, and everyone else who are touching my life in some way or the other. As you can see how many people it takes to raise just one child with autism; it is more than a village!

Advocates or supporters like the Support Autism T&T team have made it possible for others to see our world and what we need to function. Just maybe society will have a better understanding of autism and give us a chance because we can function with the right help and we too can make a difference. May God bless them and continue on this journey with us, we need it. Thank you.”

Radica Mahase is the founder/director of Support Autism T&T