Autistic Emirati proves his abilities by graduating from high school

Abu Dhabi: His mother’s eyes filled with tears as Abdulrahman Al Waheedi was finally declared a high school graduate: her 21-year-old son had successfully completed schooling despite the many challenges his autism had posed.

“My son is talented, and equally capable of living a normal life. Today, his graduation from high school is a testament of that fact, and I would like it to serve as an example to everyone else who may be facing similar difficulties,” Jameela Al Mur, Abdulrahman’s mother and an Emirati researcher, told Gulf News on Tuesday.

Abdulrahman is himself aware that his graduation is a reward for his struggles over the years.

“I believe I can accomplish anything I set my mind to. [But in the past], many different schools have [not accepted me into their] programmes due to my special needs, and I have had to fight just to attend regular schools. Today, I am graduating with my friends and I have proved that an autistic child can reach this level,” he said.

Abdulrahman was first diagnosed with autism as a five-year-old, and it changed his life and that of his family’s, Jameela said.

“My son had shown a few quirks until then. For example, he always spoke in classical Arabic, which is very uncommon. Then one day, he stopped talking and became hyperactive,” she recounted.

At the time, doctors were unable to diagnose the condition and Jameela took her son, the fourth of seven children, to the UK.

“A doctor there told me that my son was autistic. Right away, I knew I would try to give him as normal a life as possible. But when we returned to the UAE, schooling became a problem. Abdulrahman had been enrolled in kindergarten, but the school told us they could not accommodate him any longer,” Jameela said.

The family continued looking for a mainstream school that would accept him, and continued tutoring Abdulrahman at home.

“He was finally granted admission at The Cambridge High School Abu Dhabi, and we later enrolled him at the Secondary Technical Schools, from where he is graduating today,” Jameela said.

Being accepted by people has been the biggest challenge Abdulrahman has had to face along the way, and on the eve of his journey beyond school, he expressed the wish that people would greet those different from them with more understanding.

“I hope everyone will learn to accept and encourage people like myself, and not bully people who are different,” he said.

He also added that he is hoping to pursue further studies in the field of media and communication.

“My son has always been creative, and this is why I don’t want him to join the workforce right away. Instead, I want him to develop his skills to their full potential, and so we are looking for sponsorships and opportunities that will enable him to continue his studies,” Jameela said.

The inspirational young man is also remembered fondly by his teachers and peers, said Peter Lugg, principal at The Cambridge High School Abu Dhabi.

“Abdulrahman was enrolled at our school for about four years, and he was a delightful lad who matured during his time here. He worked very quietly, and developed confidence in his own abilities. We are therefore thrilled to hear of his success,” Lugg added.