For World Autism Day, DJP Fellow Naufal Asy-Syaddad Explores What It’s Like to Be Autistic in Indonesia in 2023

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DJP Fellow Naufal Asy-Syaddad shares the hopes, dreams, and challenges of his autistic friends from his hometown of Semarang City, Indonesia. In ‘The Children Can’t be Wrong,’ he interviews Muhammad Atarriq Husein, a singer and drumming champion, about why autistic people should be supported. “Because there is potential or what?” asks Naufal. “No, because of affection,” Husein replies. “Children need attention from their parents.”

Later, Naufal visits the home of his friend, Reno Amanullah Nugraha. Reno is nonspeaking, so Naufal puts his questions on a piece of paper and Reno writes his answers. Asked about his dislikes, Reno replies, “tempeh, chips, and syrup.” Asked what he would like to do every day, Reno says he would like to bring money and “wear a sarong, wear a shirt, and wear pants every day.”

In the film, Naufal confesses his own hopes for the future: “My dreams are having better social skills, marrying a woman who accepts my disability, and exploring Indonesia.”