In the blink of an eye, the annual April Autism Acceptance Month has come and (is about to be) gone. And I came close to almost forgetting all about it! Despite setting a personal goal to always write at least one post every April that talks about my daily ongoing journey as a caregiver to … Continue reading Autism Acceptance Month Has Come And Is Nearly Gone
Each year this time, I will try to pen some thoughts about autism. As a dad who is the main caregiver to a son with the condition, you would expect I have lots to say about autism. All the time. The truth is, I don't. Not really. Not without going into nitty-gritty details. Which quite … Continue reading Note to Self: Details Still Matter In My Autism Journey!
Recently, I was asked* what I would say if I could write a letter that could travel back in time to the younger me. Specifically, the question was about how I plan to share with my younger self the current journey I'm on as a stay-at-home dad. My first thought was, no sweat. Just cut … Continue reading A Letter to My Younger Self #1/2
Dear C I didn't think it would happen but from the looks of things now, I'm definitely mistaken. Two days ago, your form teacher told me you'd been cleared to join the overseas field trip to Seoul that your school is organizing for students in your cohort. My son, for five days in either October … Continue reading Parenthood & Autism: Addressing Self-Sufficiency & Daily Living Skills #2
Been a while since I wrote a post about Autism. Not for lack of material. And not because I've nothing to say (cos I've said plenty before). More from a lack of will, if I'm being honest. And some writing fatigue these past two weeks from churning a few essays for external publication that took … Continue reading Parenthood & Autism: Addressing Self-Sufficiency & Daily Living Skills #1
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
Tomorrow, C, my youngest (of two kids) who has autism, turns 13. Even though he still looks like he's not a day older than eight (the year I started this blog), it's still a milestone year as he transitions into full-fledged teendom. But, thanks to a decision in 2017 to keep him back an extra … Continue reading Daily Living with Autism #15 — Kids say the darndest things!
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
