Autistic teen failed by three Sheffield schools finds his community through Rubik's cubing

An autistic teenager failed by three Sheffield schools is competing against international speed-cubing champions.

William Turton, 15, can solve a standard 3x3 Rubik’s cube in 10.58 seconds. The world record is 3.47 seconds, held by Chinese speed-cuber Yusheng Du.

William competed in events including the 4x4 and one-handed solve at the World Cubing Association's Manchester Open last weekend.

The event was held at the Oasis Academy, MediaCity Salford, and attracted 144 competitors from all over the world. Some had travelled from as far as Norway, China and Malaysia.

William's favourite part of the event was meeting the other cubers, and achieving new personal records - including a competition personal best of 14.16 seconds for the 3x3 cube.

He said: “It’s not really about beating everyone else, its more about beating how good you were last time you did it. It’s about improving yourself."

However, much more than cube colours have fallen into place for William since he first picked one up less than a year ago.

Mrs Turton said: "William has had a really negative experience, been rejected, but now look at him - accepted in a community of like-minded people.

“He finds school difficult, whereas he can really excel here.”

William's disability also means he finds many every day interactions difficult. However, through cubing William has found a unique space to develop social skills.  

Jennifer said: “It’s more than just cubing, it’s the community and the friendships.

"Outside the cubing world, to talk to a stranger would be something that William would find very difficult. But when he's cubing, he's completely relaxed, and he just shines."

While William has dropped back a few school years to suit his learning needs, autism seems to be a strength when it comes to solving cubes at impressive speeds.

‘Obsessions’ or extreme dedication to an activity are common among people with autism.

William spends around 50 hours a week practicing with over 50 types of cubes.

The biggest cube in his collection, the 13x13, took William five hours 50 minutes to solve the first time. Now he can complete it in just over two hours.

He said: “My friends at school saved up for an Xbox or PlayStation but I wanted a massive cube, because that’s way more fun.”

The cubing community

Many speed-cubing record-holders have autism too.

Speaking about one of his favourite cubing champions, William said: “You can tell he’s autistic because when he solves, he flaps a lot. The autism radiates from him. He looks cooler.”

Through competitions, William has met some of his heroes, like 3x3 world champion Feliks Zemdegs, who holds the record for the fastest average solve at 5.8 seconds.

As well as competing, William judges at competitions.

He has made friends in all corners of the world, old and young, through socialising at competitions. Competitors at the Manchester Open ranged from pre-schoolers to seasoned cubers who had been competing for decades.

Beyond the arena

The new-found confidence William has developed also benefits his life outside cubing.

Since schoolmates saw William’s impressive skills at school, almost all of them have picked up the hobby too.

Jennifer said: “You walk around his school, and they’ve all got a cube in their hand.

“He’s taught staff, friends, and strangers. He enjoys tutoring and he says in particular he likes altering teaching methods to suit the learner.

"He can pick up social cues in a cubing situation.”

This includes William’s friend and British champion for disability gymnastics Oliver Kettleborough, who even brings a cube to tournaments.

Oliver said he uses it to focus his mind before he competes.

William adjusts his teaching style to suit different people and how they learn.

He hopes to inspire more people to pick up the hobby, as he improves his own times and techniques every day.