Dubai
Sixteen-year-old Sahl Riyaz, diagnosed with autism, has some special talents and they are put to full use in Ramadan. Though he requires special attention from his mother and teachers, which could mean extra effort by his family during Ramadan due to altered schedules, Sahl’s mother, Shabana Reyasudheen, has found a way to keep him engaged and interested.
“My son loves to cook and he enjoys helping me in household chores,” she said.
“I realised that he has a liking for cooking and for chopping fruit and vegetables, and making fruit salads, so I let him do what he likes and this way, I can keep him by my side while I am busy in the kitchen.”
And now, during Ramadan, her son’s skills are coming in extremely handy when it is time to prepare for iftar, said Shabana.
Sahl, whose Dubai-based family hails from the south India state of Kerala, has communication, behavioural and social issues.
As his mother has to spend longer periods of time in the kitchen during Ramadan, she delegates many tasks to him. Sahl not only helps with the cutting of fruit and vegetables but he also helps set up the table for the iftar meal.
“He takes particular interest in preparing for iftar and welcoming guests,” said Shabana. “Though he can’t fast, he understands its meaning and likes helping others in breaking the fast,” said Shabana.
“Sahl knows about Ramadan and its significance. He knows how to pray and likes going to the mosque with his father. I think Ramadan is an opportunity to let him increase his understanding of Islam,” said Shabana.
Expressing love
Eldest of the three siblings, Sahl is very compassionate towards his younger sister, Rania, 9, and brother, Ramin, 6, but he struggles to express his love due to speech difficulties.
“He has a particular liking for his brother but he is not expressive, however, he plays and interacts with both the siblings and shares his toys and other stuff. The younger children also understand his limitations and behave accordingly,” added Shabana.
Recently, Shabana discovered Sahl’s hidden talent for painting and encouraged him to explore the talent.
“He went for a workshop, where everyone was surprised at his skills. Since then, he has been doing abstract painting,” she said. “Though I didn’t know much about painting, I learn through YouTube videos and help him as much as I can,” she said, adding that during Ramadan, devoting enough time to help Sahl pursue this activity is also a challenge.
The time after iftar, when everyone in the family is looking for a bit of rest, is when she needs to find the balance between her having her own downtime and attending to Sahl’s needs, she said.
The teenager, who is a senior section student at the Al Noor Training Centre for Children with Special Needs, is currently getting trained in vocational skills like carpentry and handicraft.
Sahl’s abstract artwork has attracted considerable notice at a weekly community market, and his paintings were displayed at an exhibition in the Indian Consulate. He has also been featured in Malayalam television shows.
Whatever the challenge, Shabana says every milestone of Sahl’s development is worth the effort.
