Autism Awareness Month: Do not bully or insult autistic persons – teen advocate to society

…despite difficulties, Darin Hall now pursuing Bachelor of Laws

In observance of Autism Awareness Month, the Education Ministry through its Special Education Needs (SEN) Unit, has been implementing several activities to bring awareness of the illness throughout April.
On Friday, the Ministry shared on its social media page, a conversation with Darin Hall, a 19-year-old autism awareness advocate on his experience living with the neurological and developmental disorder that typically limits one’s social and communication skills and is characterised by repetitive behaviour.
Hall was diagnosed with autism as a child after his parents recognised his inability to speak even at age 5. He was subsequently able to improve his speaking abilities after attending speech therapy at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).
When it was time for Hall to attend primary school, however, his lack of social and communication skills led several schools to reject him until his parents found the School of the Nations’ Special Education programme to enrol him.
“I have to praise that school for allowing inclusive learning,” Hall said. “I started in the Special Unit Department with other kids who had [similar] things like I did, either autism, Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Down syndrome [or] something like that.”
On their website, the school describes its Special Education programme as “designed with the child in mind to strengthen his/her gifts and talents while developing strategies to help him/her self-manage and function effectively in society.”
The programme uses swimming and occupational therapy as well as the BrainRx Brain Training Programme, which combines one-on-one cognitive training with a personal coach with digital training using a computer.
Hall spent Grades One and Two within this Special Unit department until he was integrated into the regular classroom environment during Grade Three.
“Grade Three was the start of something interesting. It was my first time outside of the Special Unit Department, so basically, I used to not pay attention, I was always hyperactive [and] sleeping in class.”
Recognising his actions, Hall made significant efforts to improve his behaviour and academic performance. “It was because I had a lack of self-control and I needed to control myself in certain situations, and then it hit me just like that,” Hall explained. “I had to put more time and effort into what I do, and focus on myself as well as my education process.”
Hall said he worked to continue improving himself and upon entering high school, he even joined the Interact Club where he was able to put his love for helping people into tangible acts of kindness.
While he would not say that he was necessarily bullied, Hall believes he was seen and treated differently to others and sometimes taken advantage of, highlighting instances where some classmates would encourage him to retrieve items from the canteen for them which he would do without complaint. “I always thought to myself, maybe if I do nice things for others, they could be my friend in the future,” Hall expanded.
Though ultimately, Hall shared his gratitude for these experiences and for the classmates and teachers who helped him get to the point he is now and appreciated the efforts he made to better himself.
“I would say, think of [persons with] autism as normal people [who] just cope differently,” Hall said. “I believe that people should be more aware of autism and not bully others for autism, because [some people] love to use autism as an insult of sorts.”
“Even if you are high functioning, low functioning or have Asperger’s nonverbal, I would say prove them wrong, cope with it, accept it, and focus on makes you unique [and] work hard [so] one day, you can be a true contributor to society,” Hall said.
Hall is currently attending the University of Guyana (UG) in pursuit of a Bachelor of Laws.
Alongside this educational interview with Hall, the Education Ministry’s month-long agenda includes virtual awareness forums, sensitisation outreaches, awareness walks, a virtual concert, an inter-school debating competition, panel discussion and several radio and television broadcasts. These activities will run until April 30.