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?
Today I realize I'm just a week away from clocking my 500th blog post! When I started this blog back in April 2019, I never imagined I'll have the stamina to come this far. Nor did I think I would have enough content to deliver a blog post every single week. Yet here I am, … Continue reading Reflections as I approach my 500th blog post!
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?
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:Â "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?
