A creative haven for adults with autism

As Nazeer Waseem reflects on his childhood, he admits he doesn’t remember much, but his mother, Uzma, recalled a pivotal moment: a teacher slapped him for his behaviour. Years later, Nazeer was diagnosed with autism after a long journey.

- Waad Barakat [e-mail]

“That incident left a lasting impact on both of us,” Uzma said. Now at 31, Nazeer has not allowed this experience to hinder his progress. He has joined the workforce at a hotel chain, honing his skills in the kitchen and dreaming of becoming a chef, a journey greatly supported by his mentor at Mawaheb.

Mawaheb aims to provide a creative haven for adults with special needs, helping them develop essential life skills and artistic expression. Nazeer reflected on his journey with autism: “I don’t remember much from my childhood,” he said, “but I do recall moments at school when I behaved differently, often imitating cartoon characters.” This behaviour sometimes led to misunderstandings with peers and teachers.

Nazeer was officially diagnosed with autism at the age of four while attending a British school. “The first teacher who recognised it provided the support he needed,” Uzma explained. When Nazeer joined Mawaheb, he began to thrive. “They helped me gain confidence and independence,” he noted.

Thanks to their support — especially from the centre’s director Wemmy de Maaker — Nazeer has taken great strides in his personal and professional life. “I’ve worked at a hotel where I learned to interact with guests and coworkers,” he explained. Not only that, but he has also moved out of his family home into staff accommodation, living completely independently.

Nazeer is now pursuing his passion for cooking, dreaming of becoming a chef. “I love making burg-

ers and fried chicken,” he said. His artistic talents also shine through; he can complete intricate paintings in just half an hour.