31.10.2026 15:16
Ertuğrul Gök, 22, who was diagnosed with autism at 9 months old in Antakya, Hatay, crowned his musical journey that began with a toy guitar with a conservatory diploma. Gök, who plays the kanun, piano, guitar, bağlama, flute, and bendir, teaches music to 12 students with autism, Down syndrome, and disabilities as a master instructor at the Public Education Center.
Ertuğrul Gök, 22, who was diagnosed with autism at 9 months old in Hatay and whose interest in music began with a toy guitar, improved himself in 6 different musical instruments and completed his education to become a music teacher. Gök, who received education as a student in special education institutions from an early age, now provides music education to special individuals like himself as a teacher.
Ertuğrul, the 22-year-old son of Sahra Gök and the late Hamza Gök, living in Saraykent Neighborhood of Antakya district, was diagnosed with autism when he was only 9 months old. The family, who did not give up on their child's education, started an intensive education process for Ertuğrul's development from the age of 1. At an early age, Ertuğrul was given a toy guitar to reduce his repetitive movements, and his interest in music caught his family's attention. His family, realizing he had an interest in music, supported him in developing his talent by taking him to various courses. After completing primary and middle school, Ertuğrul won the aptitude exam he prepared for in the 8th grade and entered the music department of Bedi Sabuncu Fine Arts High School. With the guidance of his teachers there, Gök chose the qanun instrument and took the university exam after four years of high school education. Ertuğrul scored 191 points on the exam and passed the threshold, and also won the aptitude exam of Mustafa Kemal University Antakya State Conservatory and began his university education. Gök successfully completed his four-year education and pedagogical formation in 2026, and after graduation began providing music education as a master instructor at the Public Education Center. Ertuğrul, whom professors said would never learn to read or write, can easily play instruments such as piano, qanun, guitar, bağlama, side flute, darbuka, and drum, and teaches his students to play musical instruments. Gök, who once received education as a student in special education institutions, now sets an example for special individuals by providing them with education. The devoted mother Gök, a supporter of her child's successes, said she is happy and proud of the point Ertuğrul has reached.
HE WAS SAID TO BE UNABLE TO LEARN TO READ AND WRITE, HE GRADUATED FROM THE CONSERVATORY
Mother Sahra Gök, describing that her autistic child successfully completed his education life and graduated from university, said, 'Ertuğrul is now 22 years old. We began to suspect autism when he was only 6 months old, and he was diagnosed at 9 months. Since that day, we have been in an intensive education process for 21 years. From the age of 6, we gave Ertuğrul a toy guitar to reduce his repetitive movements. In this way, we noticed his interest in music. For many years we made efforts for him to learn guitar and tried to take him to every music-related course we heard of. Over time, we saw that Ertuğrul had a strong ear for music. Thereupon, in the 8th grade, we prepared him for aptitude exams. He won the exam and entered the music department of Bedi Sabuncu Fine Arts High School. He received four years of high school education. After high school, he took the university exam. Ertuğrul scored 191 points on the exam and passed the threshold by far. This was a great pride and happiness for us. We had begun to receive the reward for our efforts, but our path was not over yet. Ertuğrul also won the aptitude exam of Antakya State Conservatory and began his university education. In 2026, he successfully completed his conservatory education and pedagogical formation and graduated. It is impossible for me to describe this happiness and pride in words. I want all mothers with special children to experience this feeling. There is no describing it,' she said.
YESTERDAY HE WAS A SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENT, TODAY HE IS A TEACHER
Mother Sahra Gök, saying that while her child was a student at special education institutions, he now provides education as a music teacher at a special education institution, spoke as follows: 'Ertuğrul is now a music teacher. After he graduated, we applied with great pride, with his diploma, for him to become a master instructor at the Public Education Center, and his application was accepted. He now provides guitar education to special individuals like himself. Ertuğrul has begun to earn his own money for the first time. The amount of money he earns is not important to us. His achieving things on his own, taking responsibility, and being aware of this makes us extremely happy. He can play 6 different instruments. He plays qanun, piano, guitar, bağlama, flute, and bendir. He currently has 12 students. Among his students are individuals with autism, Down syndrome, and intellectual and orthopedic disabilities. He provides education to students from different age groups. Ertuğrul was once a student receiving education at special education institutions. Today, he has become a master instructor who teaches students receiving special education. As a mother, I cannot imagine a greater pride than this. We have seen that autism is not an obstacle to success. Thanks to Ertuğrul, we learned that when effort is made, opportunities are given, and belief is placed in children's determination, many obstacles can be overcome. We have come to today from a point that no one hoped for and thought he could not achieve. With God's permission, we succeeded. I am very happy with the situation Ertuğrul has reached. This pride is enough for us.'
HIS STUDENT: I LEARNED TO PLAY GUITAR THANKS TO HIM
Canan Kilicioğlu, stating that she learned to play guitar thanks to the education given by Ertuğrul, who has autism, used the following expressions: 'I have known my teacher Ertuğrul for years. By coming here, I began taking good guitar lessons from my teacher. I am very pleased with my teacher. Thanks to my teacher Ertuğrul, I learned to play guitar. Our lessons are progressing well. It has been a nice change for me. At least we are making an effort to learn something. My teacher Ertuğrul is very successful in all kinds of music.'