With the increasing use of technology, people now easily access their calendars on their smartphones as well.

Everyone, except 18-year-old Khivakshinni Amarendran or Khiva.

Watch the video here.

This young woman never needs to refer to a physical or digital calendar simply because she has the unique ability to accurately identify dates as far back as 1900 – and even dates well into the future.

“In 2014, when I was 11 years old, I read the calendar and discovered that it remained in my mind,” she told FMT.

Khiva, who was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, an autism spectrum disorder, when she was three years old, soon found herself enjoying seeing the numbers on the calendar, especially since Mathematics was her favourite subject in school.

She started poring over calendars in her free time. Eventually, on July 9, 2019, she discovered that she had developed a photographic memory and could remember the dates and days on a calendar.

“That night, my parents, and I were watching a television show, and I saw a date: April 30, 2017. I figured out that it was a Sunday.”

Needless to say, this left her parents speechless. They tested her with more dates, which she correctly answered. Even her relatives and friends were astounded at her unique ability.

In November 2019, her former Mathematics teacher discovered her talent after she correctly guessed the day he was born when he mentioned his birth date to her.

“He told the other teachers in the mathematics department, and they too started testing me about their wedding anniversaries,” she recalled with a smile.

News about her rare gift spread like wildlife, and soon, her school friends started quizzing her as well, giving her the moniker, “the human calendar”.

So, how exactly does she do this?

“I would recall (the date), and, in my mind, I would see a calendar of the particular month in question,” she revealed.

During FMT’s interview, Khiva accurately guessed the days to 28 random dates from 1902 to 2035.

Additionally, she was able to correctly provide the birthdates of 10 random celebrities, historical figures, and athletes which the FMT team asked her.

Khiva, who is currently on a gap year after completing her Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) in June last year, says she enjoys reading, sports, and music.

“During my free time, I like to read about celebrities, their movies, and birthdays,” she shared. Khiva is also learning Spanish, German, and Mandarin during her gap year.

So, has she ever gotten the day to a date wrong? According to Khiva, only once. And it was a date in 1911. “I wasn’t disappointed because I knew that I could improve,” she said.

She also shared that she felt “grateful” for her ability.

“I hope to help others feel better when they laugh. [I hope that] it will inspire other autistic patients because they don’t have a disability, it’s a different ability. Just because someone has autism, it doesn’t make them less intelligent.”

Speaking to Darshanni Raaj, Khiva’s mother, it is evident how proud she is of her daughter.

“We’ve always encouraged her, reminded her that she is a fabulous individual and to believe in herself,” Darshanni told FMT.

“I told her that success cannot be evaluated, and it’s very subjective. What ‘success’ is to me may not be what ‘success’ is to you. But you must be proud of yourself for what you have achieved.”

She said that after being informed of Khiva’s diagnosis, the girl was enrolled in various intervention programmes and therapies to help her overcome her challenges. Khiva eventually developed a profound interest in the calendar.

Recalling the day when she learned of her daughter’s gift, Darshanni said, “I was frankly astounded.”

Admittedly, living with a human calendar does have its perks. “She would remind me, ‘Mummy, did you wish so and so as it’s their wedding anniversary’,” she shared with a laugh.

“For me to know that Khiva has such an amazing talent, I feel blessed and very proud. It’s an amazing feeling.

“I don’t know where this talent is going to take her, but it’s a talent. She really deserves recognition and I hope that she is as proud of her talent as I am,” she shared, adding that Khiva also did very well at King Henry VIII College, an international school she previously attended.

“For other parents who are on the same journey, never ever give up. Keep believing in your child as your journey is going to be an amazing one. Celebrate each day and each milestone of your journey with your child.”

Khiva plans to show off her gift at “Asia’s Got Talent” someday and to be evaluated for inclusion in the Malaysia Book of Records.