50 Shades of Autism - Rohan

 Next up on the 50 Shades of Autism series, we have another young and brilliant mind, Rohan. I was quite excited about this interview, because this was only the second time that I was interviewing a young adult who got diagnosed as a kid. I feel early diagnoses can give the person and advantage to grow up more like themselves, rather than trying to fit in and be more like others. Rohan seems like that. I would highly recommend all the readers to check out Rohan's blog - The Fast Entertainer, especially if you are a car lover. 

So without further ado, lets get into it.

M: Would you like to introduce yourself in your own words?

R: Hi, I am Rohan Dixit. I am a writer, blogger and photographer who documents the world of cars, especially supercars. I have my own website called The Fast Entertainer where you can see the blogs I write and a gallery of some of my best photographed cars.

M: So, let's start at the very beginning. Can we tell me a bit more about your childhood?

R: I had a mostly good childhood. I lived in Pune during a lot of my early childhood before I moved to Bangalore. I loved living in Pune because most of my family was there. It took time for me to get used to living in Bangalore because I did not know anyone there and I missed my family. I say mostly good because at the age of 11 my health deteriorated and I had to be hospitalized several times. It was the worst period of time in my life.

M: Would you be comfortable talking a bit more about it? What happened? How did you feel? How did it get better?

R: No, it caused lasting mental trauma. What I can tell you is the things that helped me through that time. Video games, music and discovering the world of YouTube. Also cars to a certain extent, that’s what got me through it.

M: What was school like for you? Did you enjoy it or find it challenging, or both?

R: I actually enjoyed my time in school as much as I enjoy homeschooling. I don’t think I had any problems until physical health issues came in.

M: When and how did you get your autism diagnosis?

R: My mom tells me I was diagnosed at the age of 4.

M: What impact did it have on you?

R: It’s all I have ever known really so I can’t say.

M: I think I can refine that question. Was there ever a time in your life where you thought you were different from others? And then did your parents at one point sit you down and explained to you that you are autistic? Or was it just something that you always knew?

R: I was definitely different. I was always interested in very different things and had different hobbies compared to others. I believe my mom told me I was autistic when I was a child which is why I am like that.

M: What support needs or accommodations do you need in your day to day?

R: The accommodations I require have more to do with my physical health issues than autism, my home and especially the kitchen has been configured in such a way that I can navigate it easier and everything is within my reach and I have diet related accommodations too due to digestive and sensory issues.

M: I am assuming you stay with your parents right now, since you are so young. But have you ever thought of living by yourself, maybe in the future?

R: Yes. The dream would be to live in a place where I can be closer to the world of cars, maybe in the United States which is easy enough since I have citizenship.

M: What are some of your special interests?

R: I’m sure you can tell already from my introduction that my special interest is cars and anything to do with them basically, my interest in cars started at the age of 6. I am especially into fast supercars like Ferraris and also Formula 1 and other racing series. I also collect scale models and any other car related collectibles. I have a Scuderia Ferrari cap and two official Ferrari books for example.

M: I actually read some of your blogs. And I told my husband that I couldn’t understand anything. He said then it must be very good 🤣. But I really don’t have any interest in cars at all.

M: What is something you wish more people understood about autism?

R: Just because we are autistic doesn’t mean we are incapable. We can do great things if you give us a chance. You can ask any of my autistic friends and they might probably tell you the same thing too.

M: Can we talk a little bit about your parents? What are they like?

R: My parents have been a huge support for me throughout my journey. They have encouraged me to pursue my passions and dreams and have been there for me in the hardest of times.

M: Do you think your mom being autistic herself has been a game changer in how she parented you?

R: Yes, definitely. My mom always understood me very well, probably even more than I understand myself sometimes.

M: If you had to summarize your journey with autism how would you do that?

R: I don’t think I had the struggles others who were diagnosed later in life had. Also my parents told me about autism when I was young which made it easier for me to understand as well.

M: When you meet new people, do you include autism in your introduction? Or you think there is no need to, because even today, most people do not have any real understanding about autism?

R: Maybe it is because I have known it all my life but I find it easy enough to mention when I meet someone new. Also I believe it's better to be honest about it anyway.

M: A lot of the readers here are parents of young autistic kids. If you could tell one thing to them, what would it be?

R: If your child has a special interest don’t try to control or force them to stop it. Give it a chance, you never know if that special interest could lead to a future career. Instead of trying to stop it, find an expert or someone with great knowledge of your child’s special interest who can mentor them. Take my case for example, my uncle is an automotive writer and car lover himself and he has been my mentor and a huge source of support in my journey here. If not for my uncle’s support I wouldn’t be where I am in the world of cars today.

M: What are some of your hopes and dreams from the future?

R: One is that younger generations of autistic people like your children and other people with special needs, have more recognition and easier journeys then we did.

M: Any last thoughts you would like to leave our readers with?

R: What you see here is just one autistic person’s story and perspectives. Each and every one of us autistics have our own unique story and perspectives.

M: That’s beautiful. I had read a quote somewhere which said if you have met one autistic person, you have met one autistic person. I think it took me a while, but I am finally understanding what it means.


Rapid fire-



Favorite book - I don’t have a favorite right now but I loved the Secret Seven and Geronimo Stilton series when I was younger. I also have car brochures I read once in a while.


Favorite movie – Jurassic Park. As a child it was Disney’s Cars.


Favorite singer – There are a few singers and music bands I like but my favorite music to listen to is electronic dance music or EDM, techno, eurodance and other EDM variations which are mostly instrumental and video game soundtracks.


A moment of your life that makes you happy – When I saw and photographed my first supercar up close. It was a beautiful, shining red Porsche 911 with black wheels and a rear spoiler. It’s a sight I can never forget. That was the moment that inspired me to start documenting supercars.


What is something people often get wrong about you – I don’t think that happens with me. I am a simple guy who’s easy to understand especially if you know me well.


A core childhood memory – There are a couple but one I can think of is when I played my first racing video game, Need For Speed Hot Pursuit.


What is something you are struggling with right now – Finding opportunities to photograph cars since car shows and events are still not that popular here and that’s where I get to photograph rare cars.


What is a recent accomplishment you are proud of – Photographing my first ever hypercar in Dubai last year, an extremely rare limited edition McLaren P1 GTR of which only 58 were made. It seemed like an impossible dream but I did it.

Thank you so much Rohan for your time. Wish you all the best for your future.