ÐÓ°ÉÐÔ°É

At two years old, Mark* could not speak, but today he is on the cusp of graduating from The University of the West Indies, Mona, with a degree in public policy and management.

In a society where autism is too often mistaken for inability, and where 'slow' and 'dunce' are labels unfairly thrown around, he is living proof that brilliance knows no boundaries. Yesterday, as Jamaica observed World Autism Awareness Day under the theme 'Celebrating Neurodiversity: Promoting Inclusion,' Mark's journey stands as a testament of hope for those navigating the spectrum. An only child, his mother was concerned at his speech delay, so she sought help, ignoring the well-meaning reassurances from others who told her, "He'll talk when he's ready." Instead, she turned to the Early Stimulation Programme, a division of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security dedicated to assessing and supporting children with developmental delays.

"They assessed him and advised me to enrol him in daycare so he could interact with other children. Before he left basic school, he was reading fluently," she told THE STAR.

Her efforts bore fruit. One morning, while bathing him, he blurted out, "Mommy, no more Pampers, brief!" Shocked but elated, she knew they were making progress. His knack for words became undeniable when a basic school teacher noted that he was the only student who could remember how to spell 'egg.' From then on, his English grades never dipped below 90 per cent. Understanding that he needed an environment conducive to his learning style, his mother chose preparatory school.

INDIVIDUALISED ATTENTION

"I tried a primary school, but because he was so quiet, I didn't want him to fall back," she explained. Unlike government-funded primary schools, preparatory institutions typically have smaller class sizes and a more structured curriculum, making it easier for students who require individualised attention to thrive. This decision set him on a path of academic brilliance. He later excelled at Jamaica College, where he sat seven CSEC subjects and seven CAPE subjects.

With an affinity for the written word, he considered a career in law but pivoted to public policy due to financial constraints. Still, he sees his path as a means to drive meaningful change.

"I chose this degree because I want to help implement policies to make the country a better place," he said.

His foray into the working world was seamless. A former intern at the Ministry of Education, he transitioned into a full-time role.

"Theoretical work is my passion, but I've learned to adjust to different fields," he admitted.

For his mother, every milestone is a celebration.

"Oh gosh, I'm so proud of him," she beamed, pulling up images on her phone of his trophies from basic school through high school. She vividly recalled buying him a simple primer book with words like 'cat' and 'bat.' But he hid the book and created his own words, all spelt correctly. At just five years old, he graded himself, marking only one word incorrect.

"From there, I knew he was smart," she said.

While his journey is one of triumph, the broader discussion at yesterday's Autism Awareness Symposium - held at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston - shed light on existing challenges within the system. One key issue raised was the placement of children with autism, with many struggling to find suitable learning environments. Additionally, there is a pressing need for more teachers who are trained in special education.

Kathy Chang, director of the Jamaica Autism Support Association, highlighted the importance of events like the symposium, which aims to push for more autism-friendly environments.

"The journey of autism acceptance is not just about recognition; it is about action. It is about ensuring that every child, regardless of their neurodiversity, is given the opportunities, support, and understanding they need to thrive," she stated. She emphasised the role of early intervention.

"By identifying it early and providing essential therapies, we shape futures, empower children to reach their full potential, and help them build confidence in a world that often misunderstands their unique abilities."

*Name changed on request