If I said that 2009 early learning journey was overwhelming but rewarding being a young parents of a child with ASD back then, 2010 was as challenging and adventurous, end results are still very much rewarding and we are stronger and gain more understanding towards our little STAR, Fabian and other children in this special community.
Fabian began 2010 with a positive outlook in a group setting of 4 children which was further enlarge to 6 after mid year, new skill were learned such as check schedule in transition from one focus area to another, table activities, direct teaching 1-2 and most important of all emerging social skill of looking at peers, seeking out adults/teachers for help in asking or sharing. Plus many others worth while curriculum which have created positive impact to the children's foundation toward their future independence.
Some behavior & learning challenge unfold and sensory modulation concern were discussed and address collectively along the way from sensory processing aspect as well from ABA stand points. It is very true as I read from a book about Autism that one of the things that parents learned was that on some days, the only unpredictable thing about it is the unpredictability; the only consistent attribute - the inconsistency. The child who lives with autism may look "normal", but his behavior can be perplexing and down right difficult especially as no 2 children within the spectrum will be similar. We will have to be resilience at all time in our persistence, perseverence and passion walking with Fabian without getting tire, trying and hoping for some workable strategies to over come his special needs or if we may redirect them to the positives - would mean his "special abilities". The last EIP session for the year I attended on 12 Nov, participated and witnessed was another great testimony that all your worth while effort had paid off as I saw children completing each routine in trying to generalize their skill learn from past 4 terms, kudos to all the teachers in EIP.
Fabian has been blessed to have come thus far and taken by SpEd Team who have been very supportive, professional & instrumental to his development and progress along the goals and objectives set in IEP which includes not just the EIP teachers alone, but also the various therapists in Occupational/Speech&Literacy/Special Educator who covers Numeric/Writing & Drawing not forgetting Music teachers in Kindermusiz he had attended, who each plays a critical role trying to link the various functions or executive meaningfully together for a positive connection/outcome to Fabian learning.
This year, we had tried offer more opportunities to elevate Fabian learning & also engaged various other professionals to compliment his main core curriculum in EIP.
In March, we manage to successfully enrolled him to MMI Child Care center near our neighbourhood, main emphasis is to let Fabian generalize his learning from ARC in a normal environment with neuro-typical kids, he started off at K1 though. No major compliants from teachers until this far as they are quite understanding on Fabian learning ability, worksheets teacher gives him are often 1 level down to align with his academic skill though.
In May, Fabian started his Speech & Literacy Therapy with Aidan Rush, which subsequently follow by Numeric & also Writing and Drawing skill development within the same center to elevate his academic learning. We are very glad that Fabian is enjoying his learning & so far feedback has been positive in his progress made over the past 4-7 months and also from what we have observed in our daily walk with him.
This year, Fabian had also completed 2 Kindermusic sessions of 4 months each in "Our Time" during H1 2010 & 2nd theme "Imagine That" which just concluded recently.
His sound therapy under Samona is currently into 4th cycle at Disc 4/5. We will be buying 2 more new disc to improve other aspects of sensory integration & attention in learning.
Fabian will be taking his IQ test next April and we are all very excited about it, I had read up WPPSI-III to understand more and alert all in Fabian SpEd Team to maximize his learning to ready and optimize his outcome. After talking and discussing with each therapists, I am confidence that each will discharge their worth while effort out of sense of mission and duties for the betterment of Fabian's IQ test results next year. For the next few months leading to April, my wife and I are going to sleep, eat & think about how we can do better to improve and elevate Fabian readiness and also not forgetting close collaborative effort with various service providers. I have also encouraged the SpEd team to give off their best and try to enjoy this due process, using the "so what if" perspective, we still have choices which can help our little STAR to grow in his own special way and pace. Think not for what the person cannot do but focus on what he/she can do and what one can do to make a difference & positive impact to him/her progress.
Some plan as follow:-
1) I had spoken to the MMI teacher in charge to still keep Fabian at KI for 2011, so as to let him integrate academically to peers with similar learning ability and to follow up from there in his various subject of learning.
2) We already increasing his OT from one to twice a week during this holidays until his next Kindermusiz commences in 2011 Jan/Feb, to continue focus on improving his sensory integration & motor planning, has also commenced our work with him on threading/block design and categorization grouping.
3) Verbal comprehension, general language on receptive langauage & picture naming as well as concept of opposite words will be in good hand of SLT & Therapist for education in special needs.
4) Our home programs will hence be focus & attune to his coming IQ Test as well hoping to improve and reinforcing his learning with teachers and therapists.
We are all proud of his inch stone achievement in learning and continuous progress this year, which often comes with much painstaking effort, but they are also the most memorable parts we always remember in this path less travelled together. Lately Fabian has been able to extend his sentence, saying and reciting long message from congratulation to saying thanks to teachers and lately the Singapore Pledge.
Last PCN was enriching, emotional and heart warming session with knowledge & parent sharing.
Fabian began 2010 with a positive outlook in a group setting of 4 children which was further enlarge to 6 after mid year, new skill were learned such as check schedule in transition from one focus area to another, table activities, direct teaching 1-2 and most important of all emerging social skill of looking at peers, seeking out adults/teachers for help in asking or sharing. Plus many others worth while curriculum which have created positive impact to the children's foundation toward their future independence.
Some behavior & learning challenge unfold and sensory modulation concern were discussed and address collectively along the way from sensory processing aspect as well from ABA stand points. It is very true as I read from a book about Autism that one of the things that parents learned was that on some days, the only unpredictable thing about it is the unpredictability; the only consistent attribute - the inconsistency. The child who lives with autism may look "normal", but his behavior can be perplexing and down right difficult especially as no 2 children within the spectrum will be similar. We will have to be resilience at all time in our persistence, perseverence and passion walking with Fabian without getting tire, trying and hoping for some workable strategies to over come his special needs or if we may redirect them to the positives - would mean his "special abilities". The last EIP session for the year I attended on 12 Nov, participated and witnessed was another great testimony that all your worth while effort had paid off as I saw children completing each routine in trying to generalize their skill learn from past 4 terms, kudos to all the teachers in EIP.
Fabian has been blessed to have come thus far and taken by SpEd Team who have been very supportive, professional & instrumental to his development and progress along the goals and objectives set in IEP which includes not just the EIP teachers alone, but also the various therapists in Occupational/Speech&Literacy/Special Educator who covers Numeric/Writing & Drawing not forgetting Music teachers in Kindermusiz he had attended, who each plays a critical role trying to link the various functions or executive meaningfully together for a positive connection/outcome to Fabian learning.
This year, we had tried offer more opportunities to elevate Fabian learning & also engaged various other professionals to compliment his main core curriculum in EIP.
In March, we manage to successfully enrolled him to MMI Child Care center near our neighbourhood, main emphasis is to let Fabian generalize his learning from ARC in a normal environment with neuro-typical kids, he started off at K1 though. No major compliants from teachers until this far as they are quite understanding on Fabian learning ability, worksheets teacher gives him are often 1 level down to align with his academic skill though.
In May, Fabian started his Speech & Literacy Therapy with Aidan Rush, which subsequently follow by Numeric & also Writing and Drawing skill development within the same center to elevate his academic learning. We are very glad that Fabian is enjoying his learning & so far feedback has been positive in his progress made over the past 4-7 months and also from what we have observed in our daily walk with him.
This year, Fabian had also completed 2 Kindermusic sessions of 4 months each in "Our Time" during H1 2010 & 2nd theme "Imagine That" which just concluded recently.
His sound therapy under Samona is currently into 4th cycle at Disc 4/5. We will be buying 2 more new disc to improve other aspects of sensory integration & attention in learning.
Fabian will be taking his IQ test next April and we are all very excited about it, I had read up WPPSI-III to understand more and alert all in Fabian SpEd Team to maximize his learning to ready and optimize his outcome. After talking and discussing with each therapists, I am confidence that each will discharge their worth while effort out of sense of mission and duties for the betterment of Fabian's IQ test results next year. For the next few months leading to April, my wife and I are going to sleep, eat & think about how we can do better to improve and elevate Fabian readiness and also not forgetting close collaborative effort with various service providers. I have also encouraged the SpEd team to give off their best and try to enjoy this due process, using the "so what if" perspective, we still have choices which can help our little STAR to grow in his own special way and pace. Think not for what the person cannot do but focus on what he/she can do and what one can do to make a difference & positive impact to him/her progress.
Some plan as follow:-
1) I had spoken to the MMI teacher in charge to still keep Fabian at KI for 2011, so as to let him integrate academically to peers with similar learning ability and to follow up from there in his various subject of learning.
2) We already increasing his OT from one to twice a week during this holidays until his next Kindermusiz commences in 2011 Jan/Feb, to continue focus on improving his sensory integration & motor planning, has also commenced our work with him on threading/block design and categorization grouping.
3) Verbal comprehension, general language on receptive langauage & picture naming as well as concept of opposite words will be in good hand of SLT & Therapist for education in special needs.
4) Our home programs will hence be focus & attune to his coming IQ Test as well hoping to improve and reinforcing his learning with teachers and therapists.
We are all proud of his inch stone achievement in learning and continuous progress this year, which often comes with much painstaking effort, but they are also the most memorable parts we always remember in this path less travelled together. Lately Fabian has been able to extend his sentence, saying and reciting long message from congratulation to saying thanks to teachers and lately the Singapore Pledge.
Last PCN was enriching, emotional and heart warming session with knowledge & parent sharing.
3 words I learn from the session: Teach, Practise & Praise
I rejoice together with other parents for those who little STAR have successfully transit out to their next learning journey from EIP and look forward the celebrate my little STAR next year when he too, has to take his turn.
Gratitude is the best attitude, the most pleasing exercise of the mind coming from the memory of the heart, really very thankful to each of those who have contributed & having walk with us & Fabian thus far.
Winners Statement:-
Obstacles are what people see when they lose sight of their goal. It's alright to fall. You learn when you fall. Most important, remember to stand up again.
