‘Never give up’: 19-year-old Calgarian defies presumptions by earning Grade 12 diploma

Ishaan Holloway, a 19-year-old from Calgary, has defied all expectations despite his severe regressive autism. Unable to speak, he communicates by typing on a keyboard one letter at a time. Despite these challenges, he has become an award-winning poet and published author and recently achieved a Grade 12 diploma.

In a recent interview, Ishaan expressed his motivation for pushing through the difficulties he faced. He wanted to set a worthwhile example and fight for the rights of people with severe disabilities. His family, especially his mother Mousumee Dutta, has been incredibly supportive throughout his journey. They were initially told that Ishaan would never achieve what he has, but they never gave up on him.

Dutta recalls Ishaan’s regression at 18 months old, leading to a diagnosis of autism at age two. Despite enrolling him in a specialized school for autistic children, they found that the system was not designed to support children like Ishaan who have the potential to go beyond basic learning. In 2018, Dutta made the decision to homeschool Ishaan, starting with a Grade 3 curriculum which he quickly mastered.

The family found support from homeschooling agencies, particularly Summit West Independent School (SWIS), during Ishaan’s high school years. The head of the school’s home education department, Grace-Anne Post, praised Ishaan’s success and highlighted the need to change the underestimation of neurodiverse students.

Despite the challenges of not having classmates to collaborate with, Ishaan remains determined to pursue higher education. He dreams of studying psychology and one day helping people like himself. While it may be challenging for him to attend a traditional university due to social skills, his family is exploring online options to allow him to start slowly with one course.

Ishaan’s message to others facing challenges is clear – never give up. He acknowledges that there will be bad days, but it’s essential to remember that you are not alone and that there are people rooting for your success. With his unwavering determination and support from his family and tutors, Ishaan is set to continue defying expectations and achieving his dreams.