Since the start of this year, my daily routine of sending my youngest to school every morning has undergone one major change. A brand new passenger has joined our happy trails. Let's call him Kai. Every so often parents in our school chat group will ask if anyone living nearby needs or can offer a … Continue reading My New Carpool Passenger Is A Total Delight
I promise not to cry. Or so I tell myself on a fairly regular basis. Yet what's wrong with crying? It reminds me of my frail humanity, doesn't it? Of how real the challenge of raising a kid, especially one with autism and special needs, is. Over the years, I've cried privately and openly enough. … Continue reading Daily Living With Autism #16 — Poor Balanced Scorecard
Of late, as I read books on autism, I realize that my understanding of what inclusion means for those with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) and other special needs and disabilities is still so infantile! That realization fills me with angst, anguish, and yes, even anger. Not to mention a heavy dose of regret as I … Continue reading ASD Book Review #7 “Not Without Us”
It's hard on parents when a child has a meltdown. Even harder if it's unexpected. And if the child has autism? Well, let's just say the subsequent combustion can be a mini supernova! That's what happened to us two days ago. But before I recount the incident, a quick background for new readers to my … Continue reading Daily Living with Autism #14 — Scared to go alone
It's been two-and-a-half years since I last did one of these ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) Book Reviews. Makes it look like I've lost interest in this book genre. Well, that couldn't be further from the truth. In fact, I've been swamped by the array of ASD books I just don't know what to share next. … Continue reading ASD Book Review #6 – A Memoir of Autism & Hope
Warning: What I'm about to say may sound downright offensive, especially to a group of "news heroes" who were recently featured in the local dailies. Please know, however, that "illuminating" is my intent for this post. Not offending. I call the group I mentioned "news heroes", not because they were publicly acknowledged for their grit … Continue reading Daily Living With Autism #13 — Worldly success measures needn’t apply
Dear Mr. Xavier Yap First and foremost, may I call you Xavier? I know it's presumptuous of me to ask since you don't know me. And, up until January 22, 2022, when news about you first broke nationwide, the rest of Singapore and I didn't know you either. This week, however, we found out more … Continue reading Letter To A Special Needs Dad — On Faith. Hope. And Love.
Regular readers here know that one of my blog's four cornerstone content areas -- the one that prompted me to start blogging four years ago -- is Autism. Over the years, I've spent many posts expounding on what life is like as a parent of a child with autism. I've even created a few "mini-series" … Continue reading Daily Living With Autism #12 — How Can Transitions Be Better Managed?
My 12-year-old son C gloriously failed his mid-year exams over six weeks ago. Just like he did last year and the year before. But guess what? I'm ok about it. After all, let's face it. Nobody likes exams. At least nobody I'm acquainted with. I know I'm supposed to encourage my kids not to dislike … Continue reading Failing exams gloriously, son? No sweat!
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?
