Many parents drop into a dark hole after hearing that their child is autistic. It can be a lonely place with a thousand unanswered questions.
Hood was diagnosed with severe autism when he was about 3 years old. His parents were told to prepare for a life of low achievement and underperformance. However, Dr. Nazima and her husband decided to bet against all odds and refused to accept a future where their son has very limited options and possibilities. They recognised his ambition, believed in the fact that a disability is not an excuse and found teachers that worked on his abilities without discrediting his challenges.
Hood’s early years are remarkably admirable - he had to endure multiple surgeries to help with physical disabilities, unending, tiresome sessions with therapists, frustrating visits to various psychologists and speech pathologists. Moreover, his family also needed to make sacrifices, Dr. Nazima Saiyed gave up her position as a university professor and the family relocated to the USA in order for Hood to get the best possible education available. Hood received training in 'Facilitated Communications', a type-to-speak software that is accessed on his iPad. Hood went from being nonverbal with unwanted noises and behaviours to being able to express his desires, thoughts, ambitions and dreams.
The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) encourages schools in the UAE to be inclusive and accept all students, yet there were many challenges in finding a school that was willing to give this brave, young man a chance. That all changed when his Learning Support Assistant, Jadin, wrote to Nibras International School. His letter spoke to our hearts as he wrote about working with one of the most amazing people he has ever met and he was prepared to follow Hood to the UAE, so that he can improve even more. NIS was excited and felt privileged at the opportunity to take on such an outstanding scholar and we were delighted to know we made the right decision on taking the challenge when Hood gave us astonishing Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) results.
In the Fall MAP assessments Hood scored above the ranges for 3 out of the 4 subjects. This meant that in Maths, Reading and Science Hood exceeded student norm expectation for Grade 11, which is incredible since he is only in Grade 7. NIS considers him a gifted student and a student who is already on his way to greatness. Not all people with disabilities will become role models to the rest of the world, nor should they be expected to, but they can achieve their own potential greatness and here at NIS we maintain the idea that we all can play significant roles in shaping various different minds and creating a better future for all individuals.
When Dr. Nazima was given the good news with regards to her son’s performance, she thanked the school, Allah, Jadin, and a wonderful team who believed in Hood right from the very first day. In her opinion, it was the unity and structure that was required to give her son the confidence he needed to pursue his goals. We all fondly remember how Hood was skipping down the corridor with excitement on his first day of acceptance and we anticipate great things to come for him in the future.
The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) encourages schools in the UAE to be inclusive and accept all students, yet there were many challenges in finding a school that was willing to give this brave, young man a chance. That all changed when his Learning Support Assistant, Jadin, wrote to Nibras International School. His letter spoke to our hearts as he wrote about working with one of the most amazing people he has ever met and he was prepared to follow Hood to the UAE, so that he can improve even more. NIS was excited and felt privileged at the opportunity to take on such an outstanding scholar and we were delighted to know we made the right decision on taking the challenge when Hood gave us astonishing Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) results.
In the Fall MAP assessments Hood scored above the ranges for 3 out of the 4 subjects. This meant that in Maths, Reading and Science Hood exceeded student norm expectation for Grade 11, which is incredible since he is only in Grade 7. NIS considers him a gifted student and a student who is already on his way to greatness. Not all people with disabilities will become role models to the rest of the world, nor should they be expected to, but they can achieve their own potential greatness and here at NIS we maintain the idea that we all can play significant roles in shaping various different minds and creating a better future for all individuals.
When Dr. Nazima was given the good news with regards to her son’s performance, she thanked the school, Allah, Jadin, and a wonderful team who believed in Hood right from the very first day. In her opinion, it was the unity and structure that was required to give her son the confidence he needed to pursue his goals. We all fondly remember how Hood was skipping down the corridor with excitement on his first day of acceptance and we anticipate great things to come for him in the future.
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