Listening to the silent world of autistic children through each drawing

What can turn a silent observation into a powerful change? For Doan Hung Anh, a former student of Hanoi - Amsterdam High School for the Gifted and a new student who recently received a full scholarship from RMIT University Vietnam, the answer came from the moment he listened to the silent world of his autistic cousin, and then turned that empathy into creative action to connect people.

When empathy becomes the power to connect

The paper cranes scattered on the floor used to be a symbol of the fragile hope of the autistic boy that Hung Anh always spent time observing. Each fold is a moment of concentration, a mark of patience, but also the loneliness of a soul living in its own world . “He is not sick, but a quiet genius. Others see autism as a wall, I see it as another form of language,” Hung Anh confided about his cousin.

Hung Anh's Artism project invites everyone to create with autistic children, turning unfinished drawings into collaborative works full of joy, imagination and empathy. Photo: NVCC

From that understanding, Hung Anh initiated Artism, an interactive website where autistic children can post unfinished drawings, so that viewers can "swipe right" and complete the remaining half.

“Co-creation becomes a form of dialogue. Together they paint the sky with countless stars, turn stickmen into superheroes and decorate brilliant gardens with imaginative harmony. What remains then is not mere compassion but joy, recognition and empathy,” Hung Anh explains.

Just a few months after its launch, more than 200 co-created paintings have been shared on social media platforms, reaching more than 10,000 viewers. But for Hung Anh, the numbers are not as important as the emotional transformation of the participants. “Children who were once misunderstood have now become companions in artistic creation. Two seemingly disconnected worlds begin to intersect through color, imagination and stories,” Hung Anh said.

From the journey with his cousin, Hung Anh realized that storytelling is not only a means of self-expression but also a bridge connecting people. Communication is no longer a tool to support autistic children, but becomes a canvas to create connections.

The journey of young people who dare to listen and lead

Not only is Hung Anh compassionate, he is also an excellent student with an impressive record of achievements. He won third prize at the national level in grade 11 and first prize at the city level for two consecutive years in the Literature Competition for Excellent Students.

Doan Hung Anh, a former student of Hanoi - Amsterdam High School for the Gifted, is also one of six new students receiving a full scholarship to RMIT University Vietnam in 2025. Photo: RMIT

Professor Tran Nho Thin, University of Social Sciences and Humanities - Vietnam National University, Hanoi commented: “I rarely meet such a talented and inspirational student. Hung Anh has a strong desire to explore knowledge. He approaches literature as a prism to explore the colorful world. In class, Hung Anh often asks sharp questions, making both friends and teachers ponder. His openness to multi-dimensional perspectives and desire to deeply understand the nature of the problem show the qualities of a true scholar.”

Along with academic achievements comes a spirit of creative leadership. As President of the Ams Wide Web Media Club of Hanoi - Amsterdam High School for the Gifted, Hung Anh once faced a major crisis when his fanpage with more than 40,000 followers was hacked.

Vice Principal Duong Tu Anh recalled: “He almost burst into tears but remained calm to resolve the issue. Hung Anh proposed making a pioneering promotional video for the school. His efforts paid off as the video was a huge success and contributed to the Club’s revival.”

Not stopping there, facing the exhaustion of his team members, Hung Anh proactively designed an AI-based timetable system to optimize work schedules. “In just one week, I presented a complete solution,” Ms. Tu Anh shared.

Those experiences have shaped a leadership mindset centered on empathy, an intersection of humanity and technology.

When asked about his future direction, the new RMIT student shared his desire to “turn media into a tool for social impact”. Hung Anh plans to study Professional Communication and set up a social impact media lab where students can experiment and solve social problems using the pervasive power of mass media.

Professor Tran Nho Thin wrote in his recommendation letter to RMIT: “Hung Anh will shine not only in his studies but also become a good leader, with fresh perspectives and bringing sustainable values ​​to the RMIT student and lecturer community.”

From folding paper cranes in silence to co-creating online paintings, Hung Anh’s journey shows that listening can create change and empathy can become an act of creating human connection. The silent world of autistic children has thus spoken, with color, imagination and the heart of a young person who dares to listen.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/giao-duc/lang-nghe-the-gioi-thinh-lang-cua-tre-tu-ky-qua-tung-net-ve-20251029115946915.htm