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
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!
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
Let me start by saying I want to put the blame squarely on Covid, and the two years of possible intervention that it has robbed us of. But can I? Honestly? I'm afraid the answer isn't all that clear. What was clear though, after a recent annual follow-up with my son's assigned senior consultant at … Continue reading Daily living with autism #6 — Beginning again. Again!
Yesterday was the last day of the week-long March school holidays, so we figured let's take C for a bus ride. Other than a forgettable morning hike up north three days ago, mired by sweltering heat and a less-than-scenic route, we had spent most of the week at home as the boys completed holiday homework … Continue reading Daily living with autism #4 — A bus ride to Neverland
Should a person with an invisible disability (PWID) like autism wear a visible identity label in public? So asked a forum contributor in the local dailies. In her letter that was published yesterday, Ms Amy LOH Chee Seen wondered if it would help to stick a label or some sign on a PWID. That way, … Continue reading Autism advocacy #2 — To label or not to label?
When it comes to helping those in need, I believe it boils down to these four words: Enabling. Empowering. Empathising. Embracing. How did I come to this conclusion? Well, two days ago I joined a nationwide focus group forum to contribute ideas for the new Enabling Master Plan (EMP) 2030. It was the last in … Continue reading Autism advocacy #1 — It starts with enabling
[An edited version of this post first appeared here] "No Lord! Not again! This can't be happening..." These words blazed across my brain like a lightning bolt out of the blue. Last Friday, the bodies of twin boys were recovered in a canal not far from a park and playground. (At the time of this … Continue reading A plea for caregiving fathers of special needs kids
On World Children's Day, let me share about a recent poolside encounter. A couple of weeks ago, I overheard an interesting conversation between a male who looked to be in his late 50's and a young boy about my son's age of 12. The exchange took place at a neighbourhood pool where I go for … Continue reading On World Children’s Day – How a poolside encounter reminded me what truly counts
"Daddy, look!" It was a typical weekday evening, an hour before dinner time. That's when I usually take C for some outdoor play. What we in my family sometimes refer to as his "eye-care" time, away from home screens and out where nature and distant sights of the world await. The ground outside was fairly … Continue reading Daily living with autism #1: It’s about small wins!
