Recently our nation's President re-opened Parliamentary sessions with a call for everyone to create a broader and more open meritocracy in the coming years. As much as I welcome that call, I'm wary as to how, or even if, this can come to pass. And more importantly, how authentic and strong is the will to … Continue reading What’s ahead for my son, autism and meritocracy?
Picture it. It's the first of April, the start of the annual World Autism (Awareness) Month. You walk into an air-conditioned function hall big enough to fit 200 people. A group of some 30 folks gathers there for an overnight camp. There are parents chatting among themselves. A few teenagers are playing basketball with a … Continue reading What I learned from other special families this World Autism Month
As Autism Awareness Month (April) nears, I realize of late I've not posted much about autism, one of my blog's cornerstone topics. But having said quite a lot since 2019, is there really anything new? The answer? Of course! There always is, in my ongoing journey as a parent with a special needs kid. At … Continue reading Of accidental carpools and autism conversations
[Was honored -- despite my advancing age -- to have this post repurposed on April 16, 2023, on trendy Instagram] The great Mark Twain once said: "Age is a case of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.". Well, the truth is when it comes to my son, I do mind. And it … Continue reading My autistic son turned 12 today. I need to catch up.
This week, I was surprised by grief. I know that sounds rather ridiculous. Maybe even disrespectful though certainly, that's not my intent. The funny thing was I didn't even expect to feel that way at all! So what happened you ask? A steep learning curve Photo by Ngai Man Yan on Pexels.com Regular readers will … Continue reading Daily living with autism #11 — Is grief love persevering?
Dear Patience I need a healthy dose of you this season. Because I'm not a good parent when it comes to coaching my autistic son during this exam season. Let me explain using just one of his school subjects by way of illustration. Weird Science! Photo by Wilawan Pantukang on Pexels.com The topic we revised … Continue reading Daily living with autism #10: Science is hard!
No, your eyes aren't playing tricks on you. And no, my blog title doesn't contain a typo. I really am 400 today! Or rather, this is now officially my 400th blog post! By sheer dogged perseverance, I've pushed myself hard to relentlessly churn one post after another since April 2019. My pace doubled in 2020 … Continue reading In the blink of an eye, I’m 400!
There are moments in our lives where neither words nor videos can fully capture the joy they bring. But still, we try. Because we don't ever want to forget. Like the first kiss. Or the first moment you become a parent. Or that moment your child first rides a two-wheel bike all by himself. Which … Continue reading Daily living with autism #9 – Core strength & Confidence
I know this is going to sound like a broken record because I've talked about math worksheets in past blog posts. But because it just happened two days ago on a hot and humid "homework afternoon", and I ended up all hot and bothered, with my son C all scared and flustered, the memory is … Continue reading Daily Living with Autism #8 — Fractions that fracture
Last week, the topic of love languages arose at a kid's day camp my autistic son C attended. Spanning three days, it was part of our church's holiday programme for those aged 7 to 12. It's been two years since such camps were held (thanks to you-know-what), so my wife and I were definitely glad … Continue reading Daily living with autism #7– the 5 love languages
