Saud, 14, is severely autistic. He is cared for by his family, mainly by his mother. All Photos: Maria Lami-In
He had autism diagnosed after he started to attend school. He is no longer enrolled as he struggles to blend in with other children.
Saud with his sisters, Sarah, 15, left, and Shahana, 12. The girls are both 'aspie's', short for Asperger’s syndrome, a high-functioning form of autism.
Saud is largely non-verbal and communicates mainly through grunts and gestures. He is not usually violent but can be when he is frustrated, squeezing or biting his parents and siblings. He also chews on furniture, flushes things down the toilet and tears labels off clothes.
Saud with his mother and sisters at Expo 2020 Dubai.
Saud with his father, mother and sisters.
Ms Lami-In cares for her son all alone while her husband is at work.
The family cannot afford therapy for Saud but they dream of being able to help him to improve his communication skills.
