AN INSPIRATIONAL young man opened up about his journey as an aspiring game designer and musician living with autism on national television.
South Essex College student, Ethan Khumalo, 20, from Southend, appeared on BBC documentary series ‘Inside Our Autistic Minds’ last night. 
Presented by wildlife expert Chris Packham, who himself lives with autism, the show explores the lives of people across the country who live with the condition.
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Ethan, who studies games design at the college’s Centre for Digital Technologies in Basildon, has progressed from a level two course through to currently studying for a degree.
“With autism and other mental health issues preparation makes you feel more comfortable and you have to make the best of your abilities,” Ethan said.
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“You have good days and bad days the same as anyone but personally, If I have moments where it doesn’t go so well, music helps me.”
The show delves into Ethan hypersensitivity to sound which makes everyday environments such as a busy street, unbearably loud and hard to handle.
To cope with the hectic and unpredictable sounds of his college, Ethan listens to music on headphones in an attempt to block out the noise.
As a result, he tells Chris Packham hes been left isolated from the other people in his class, and can find himself unable to engage with them or make friends.
Ethan is an aspiring rapper with a love of grime, channelling the emotions he is unable to express, and how being autistic makes him feel.
In a bid to help the other students to understand how different the world is for him, with Chris Packham’s’ help, he writes a track about a typical day in college.
Ethan said that he enjoyed the filming process and that Chris Packham was really “down-to-earth”.
He added: “I learned a lot about how TV crews work and really got along with Chris. I am really excited about the show.”
Ethan’s college tutor Rama Maccha said: Ethan is a dedicated and committed student who never misses a deadline. He is wonderful with sound and has helped younger students with their projects.”
Ethan’s final message to anyone struggling with autism or any mental health issue is: “Remember it’s okay to be not okay.”
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