KUANTAN: Paying attention in class and asking questions to fully understand what was being taught bore fruit for autistic teenager, Muhammad Aziq Asri, who emerged as one of three most outstanding students with special educational needs (CBPK) in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) 2022 examination in Pahang.
In the SPM 2022 results announced yesterday, a total of 15 out of 112 CBPK candidates in the state achieved outstanding results of at least 5A.
Muhammad Aziq, 18, the youngest of two siblings, obtained 2A+, 3A, 3A- and 1B, and admitted that he did not force himself to study at home because he is more interested in playing video games.
“Rather, I made sure I understood whatever the teachers taught…and was quick to ask questions if I did not understand any subject. In fact, (I asked) several times until I was really satisfied, and also did all the (work) exercises given.
“I didn’t attend any tuition, instead I did my own revision in the afternoon in preparation for the SPM,” said the pure science student, when met by reporters at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Bukit Rangin, here.
Muhammad Aziq, who was accompanied by his parents, Asri Mohd Din, 54, and Marlia Thaalmudin, 48, said that he was worried about the SPM results, as he felt that questions in the Additional Mathematics paper were quite tough.
Although he was in the science stream, Muhammad Aziq said that he actually loves history and wants to take the subject in the Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) examination, to achieve his dream of becoming a historian.
“I have always been interested in history since young, especially history related to wars,” he said, and his father agreed, adding that his son easily remembers details related to wars, especially World War II, in which he is most interested.
Meanwhile, Marlia said that she noticed her son’s condition when Muhammad Aziq was five when the boy did not speak, and it was confirmed that he had difficulty concentrating when he underwent a health examination which confirmed his autism.
“I started helping Aziq more after the doctor confirmed he was autistic. Even before that, from the age of four, I started teaching Aziq to read and count at home, just like I did with my daughter.
“Aziq loves going to school since he was a child. At home, he has to be reminded to revise, especially when it was nearing the examination period,” she recalled. – BERNAMA
