Boy with autism voices SMRT announcement

In 2022, Rainbow Centre Yishun Park School and SMRT set up an indoor park with features like MRT fare gantries to give students in the school a place where they can practise using public transport safely. This helps them to familiarise themselves with public transport and build confidence before they travel on their own.

During the interview at Rainbow Centre Yishun Park School, Khalif guided The Straits Times team through the routines of taking public transport, including how to tap in and out at the gantries, and reminded them to take a seat on the train.

He also demonstrated how to cross the road safely, clearly relishing the chance to lead the way.

Midway through the interview, he paused and declared: “I’m enjoying this!”

Khalif was chosen to record the announcement after impressing his teachers when he emceed at a school open house, said Ms Celin Foo, head of the junior programme.

“He has a natural way of connecting with people, and it was clear he had more to offer beyond the classroom. This SMRT project gives him a bigger platform to build on those strengths,” she added.

Khalif’s mother, Ms Nurhidayah Salleh, 33, described him as a loving and intuitive child. At home, he calls his three-year-old sister “my sweetie” and is quick to comfort his mother when he senses she is feeling down.

Khalif was diagnosed with autism at about five years old. “To see where he is now, I feel proud of him,” Ms Nurhidayah said.

She hopes that people who hear Khalif’s announcement will come away with a better understanding of autism. “We have to be there for them, support them and try to understand them,” she said of children with autism.

“More importantly, people should learn not to judge,” she added. “I hope people won’t judge these children, because everyone is different.”

Ms Foo said initiatives like the platform announcement help more people to better understand autism.

“In Singapore, it’s common to see or interact with individuals with autism – on public transport, at malls, in schools. Without understanding, these encounters can be misunderstood or even uncomfortable,” she said.

“Projects like this play an important role in fostering greater empathy and inclusion.”

“For our students like Khalif, this is more than just showcasing a skill – it’s a chance to highlight their abilities and potential,” Ms Foo added. “They can work, lead, communicate and contribute meaningfully to the community, just like anyone else.”

What does Khalif hope people will feel when they hear his voice?

His reply came quickly: “I hope they will feel happy.”