Spring Break
The Daily Orange'I am not human to them'
Hesham Khater communicates through a computer due to his autism. His parents look to religion to help their son overcome obstacles he faces
By Adeniyi Amadou
Posted: 10/21/08, 3:20 AM EST Section: Feature
"What's wrong, Hesham?" his father asked in a tender voice.
The son looked away, and before his tears could spill, he buried his face in his father's white shirt. Absorbing his son's muffled cries, the father closed his eyes and whispered something in his ear.
Finally, Hesham mopped his face with the palm of his hands and let out a long sigh.
"I am not human to them," Hesham typed. "I hate the feeling."
For a while father and son sat there, holding each other tightly.
"It's just hard," Hesham typed as he broke into tears again. "I don't like to have people to feel afraid from me."
****
Autism is a complex developmental brain disorder, said Dr. Larry Novak, Hesham's family doctor.
The disorder falls under a range of syndromes called pervasive developmental disorders, more commonly referred to today as Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Other disorders under ASD are Asperger's, Rett Syndrome and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder. Novak said progresses have been made in the treatment of autism.
Cheli Paetow is a special education teacher who has been working with Hesham for eight years.
Who Hesham really is, Paetow said, only comes out with people who assume he is competent.
"Instead people judge him based on a body he cannot manage."
Beneath his mask, she said, there is a lively soul.
"He is an exceptional individual," Paetow said. "He does as much for my life as I do for him."
Still, Paetow said the findings have proved to be relatively small gains, and the fact is many aspects of autism remain a mystery.
Judging by the wide array of people who fall under the diagnosis, autism is one of the most complicated neurological disorders known, Novak said.
Some diagnosed with autism, like James Burke, a third-year student in the College of Human Ecology, are college educated. He has amassed more than 46 credit hours and has "a lovely 3.4 GPA," Burke said.
Others, like Hesham, can't speak, let alone sustain their attention long enough to do a task for more than a few moments.
The son looked away, and before his tears could spill, he buried his face in his father's white shirt. Absorbing his son's muffled cries, the father closed his eyes and whispered something in his ear.
Finally, Hesham mopped his face with the palm of his hands and let out a long sigh.
"I am not human to them," Hesham typed. "I hate the feeling."
For a while father and son sat there, holding each other tightly.
"It's just hard," Hesham typed as he broke into tears again. "I don't like to have people to feel afraid from me."
****
Autism is a complex developmental brain disorder, said Dr. Larry Novak, Hesham's family doctor.
The disorder falls under a range of syndromes called pervasive developmental disorders, more commonly referred to today as Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Other disorders under ASD are Asperger's, Rett Syndrome and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder. Novak said progresses have been made in the treatment of autism.
Cheli Paetow is a special education teacher who has been working with Hesham for eight years.
Who Hesham really is, Paetow said, only comes out with people who assume he is competent.
"Instead people judge him based on a body he cannot manage."
Beneath his mask, she said, there is a lively soul.
"He is an exceptional individual," Paetow said. "He does as much for my life as I do for him."
Still, Paetow said the findings have proved to be relatively small gains, and the fact is many aspects of autism remain a mystery.
Judging by the wide array of people who fall under the diagnosis, autism is one of the most complicated neurological disorders known, Novak said.
Some diagnosed with autism, like James Burke, a third-year student in the College of Human Ecology, are college educated. He has amassed more than 46 credit hours and has "a lovely 3.4 GPA," Burke said.
Others, like Hesham, can't speak, let alone sustain their attention long enough to do a task for more than a few moments.
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 5
Tom Brown, S.U. Class of '68
posted 10/21/08 @ 5:42 AM EST
A beautifully written story. Thank you for bring this to us.
Lynn Bushnell '72
posted 10/21/08 @ 8:40 AM EST
This is an example of the best college journalism to be found in the country. Compelling reading. Great work.
Sari Signorelli
posted 10/21/08 @ 11:23 AM EST
Your story illustrates journalism at its best, you've opened a window into a world readers might never have had the chance to view. I hope it opens opportunities for Hesham. (Continued…)
CalifCuse
posted 10/21/08 @ 7:17 PM EST
Well written; a quality article to be proud of. Good job!
Gerry
posted 10/22/08 @ 1:40 PM EST
Thank you for this article, Syracuse should be proud of the services that it offers. What a wonderful family! Many people have [in comparison] minor difficulties of this sort, struggle in the moment and fear for the future of their children. (Continued…)
Post a Comment