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.
[caption id="attachment_965322" align="alignnone" width="743"] Al-Hasan embraces his secondary school life and continues to excel. - Courtesy Al-Hasan Khan[/caption]
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.
[caption id="attachment_965321" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Al-Hasan speaking about his experiences at the opening of Rahul's Clubhouse. - courtesy Kareem La Borde[/caption]
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 go
