In such a world, Mustafa Saleem (diagnosed with ADHD, Asperger’s as a child) is like that first drop of rain that follows a long drought, like the first leaf that rustles in the wind to signal a change. He is the stimulus that gave birth to something that goes far beyond the norms of providing education as a service. Every child is born different from the other, and every child needs a different treatment.
Enrolled at Asas International School in Islamabad from the start, Mustafa turned out to be very difficult for the teachers to handle, whatever they were trying just didn’t seem to get through.
Time passed and Mustafa’s future looked bleak in this ruthless world, but Asas never gave up.
In 2008, inspired by Mustafa’s condition, his school laid foundation to a project that is larger than life itself. A project called Asas’s Inclusive Educational Program (IEP), which emphasized that every individual is different and needs a different approach to learning.
The program focused on inclusively attending to every student, each student was assigned a physical therapist for making them comfortable as well as a shadow teacher to monitor their progress. This incredible new approach proved to be a revolution and with constant attention and determination of his teachers, Mustafa excelled.
It’s been nine years, today Mustafa has passed the 8th grade like any other regular student. Continuous support and love from everyone at school has discovered talents in him that are a treat to the eyes and mind. Mustafa has a somewhat photographic memory, and is particularly good with dates. He can tell you exactly what you did with him a year ago, and tell you what day it will be exactly 2 to 3 years from now on September 10th or June 30th in just a few seconds. All this talent hidden in a boy that the society marginalized, gives us a glimpse of the world that is hidden away in the minds of those who are never understood.
Today, 9 years after Asas started IEG, to Mustafa’s proud mother, it is more than just a school. To her, Asas is the light that has brightened up the life of her child. And his is not the only life illuminated by Asas’s program. His example, led the school to develop a full-fledged program and now many others like him have a shot at a better future.