Changing the World’s View of Autism: Perspectives from an Autistic Teenager

Leo is a high school student in Kenya. He is a champion for autistic children. He is also passionate about art: particularly music, drawing and fashion. In this Q&A, Leo provides first-hand insights into living with autism.

Do you feel like you are more accepted by other children at your school? Do they know about your condition?

At first, I felt the need to hide my condition because I assumed my classmates would not understand. However, that was not the case. Once I opened up, they were supportive. To date, I continue to raise awareness on autism and explain the condition to anyone who still does not understand.

What are your hobbies?

I usually exercise while in school, and I also love art. Art is my form of expression. I even draw my classmates, and they really appreciate. I also sing and write rap lyrics. In fact, in my previous high school, I joined the drama team and performed at the Kenya Schools and Colleges Drama Festival.

You mentioned that you are passionate about autism awareness and advocacy. Tell us more.

My mother works with a group of parents of autistic children. I encourage them to embrace their children despite their condition because they did not choose to have the condition. Most of these parents do not know how to deal with the condition their children have, and some even end up hiding their children because of the stigma that surrounds neurological conditions like autism.

I remember a father who was a bit difficult. I reached out to him and encouraged him to change his attitude towards his autistic child. The conversation was quite intense, and he even got emotional. From then, he started taking his son for therapy, found a good school for him, and the child is doing much better. Another experience that encouraged me was when I spoke to a mother who had twins with autism. She kept the children locked in the house because she could not handle them. However, after I spoke to her, she enrolled the twins in a school, and they can now write and talk.

Such stories of change motivate me to keep creating awareness about autism and other mental health conditions that are stigmatised. When most parents see me and learn about the progress I have made, despite being autistic, they feel hopeful. I always remind them that there is something they can do to help their children improve and reach their full potential.

Do you have any final thoughts that you would like to share?

Children with autism need a lot of support and extra care. I hope the government can support teachers nationwide to learn how to cope with children with Autism or other developmental disorders. To the parents of autistic children, please remember that the children did not choose to be born autistic. Treat them with a lot of love and care.

And what are your hopes for your future?

I hope to become an entrepreneur and rapper. I want to leave a lasting impact in people’s lives, especially those with neurological conditions. I want to be independent and make the world look at autism from a different angle, because being autistic is not a death sentence. It makes you different, and being different is beautiful.