Merry Christmas '12 & A Happy New Year 2013

It has become a tradition for our family to get together during this year end festive season of sharing and giving.  Take this blessing to share some highlights for his moment:-

Games focus mainly on 3 wii games namely cycling, dog fight and table tennis, where the children took turn to play with each others in round robin format and highest 2 points in each game got a congratulation present,  it was a joy to see him enjoying and immersing in his playtime with sibling and cousins.

We had home cooked food for dinner, thanks to "Ah Ma"

Not forgetting about gift exchange for Christmas and a family photo to capitalize on this great memories!

Just before the arrival of New Year, work with him and got him to write a journal

He is ready and looking forward to fresh new start to his school term come 2 January 2013

Winners' Statement:-

Holiday Camp In Malaysia

It was another fun fill adventure holiday camp for him, many great experience gain and profit as we managed and journeyed with him in each of our moment together during our stay in Malaysia.  Thankful for my in-law family for their great hospitality, understanding and acceptance that he see things and think differently, everything is normal if we are able to see him as who he is, there will always be hope, peace and joy.

Winner's Statement:-

Family Holiday On Board Costa Victoria Cruise (Behind The Scene)

It was back in late August during the travel fair when we took courage to book a family package of 4 on a 3N 4D cruise on board an Italian Costa Victoria ship.  This attempt, at least enable the family to look forward to some activities we can bond together and relax after the school term had ended, especially for our elder kid but my wife & I know very well that it may not be the same feeling for him who may be anxious about this new experience of change environment and new people in our world due to his autistic traits, we were skeptical but remain hopeful that things are going to be alright.

As the week drew nearer, I started to share with him some video clips on the Costa Cruise and the various places we can explore to enjoy on board.  He does not feel excited from his expression after watching the video but goes back to his current interest of watching the other video on lift/elevator instead, he does not show any rejection to the idea either, we were all ready in great anticipation for the moment to arrive.

Soon we were 2 days away from the cruise of our life, the first ever for all of us in the family. I created a social story to share and let him read it through.  After reading, he suddenly told us that he does not want to go, probably he knew by then that the date is close with reference to the date he read the social story, the challenge is inevitable, we will have to face head on, and see how it went then.

True enough, on the morning of the cruise when he woke up, he was still bother by the cruise adventure, he told us it was difficult and cry, and the more normal we try to relate about the cruise, the more he saps into de-motivation mode. We were contemplating to explore alternate plan but still hopeful that if we calm down and let him cool off a little and give him time to self dialogue what he feels to be motivated for the cruise, he may be looking forward to it. As he was taking breakfast, he started to say it out, I quickly took opportunity to write it down beside the social stories in point form on the white board, and put a Y to signify Yes, CAN! Soon as he says more of what he perceives/wants about the cruise and get more Y, he became much more at ease, especially after he knew that we are at deck 8 cabin and will be taking lift up/down and that swimming pool at deck 11 etc..as shown in picture I drew for him, he burst into smile. He also pointed to a picture of a lift lobby overview in the social story and shared with us that he wanted to take lift in the cruise, guess that is one of his motivation. We then go with the flow to involve him in packing his toys(blocks, car, gates which he use to pretend to be lift), digital gadgets(iphone, ipad), an aeroplane chess and also down load a youtube video on a lift he like to watch at a metro tower), put in the name tag for his back pack and viola! The next thing, he suddenly ask, can we go cruise now?  This finally brings smile to all of us like striking a bingo!  I were expecting more challenges to be unfold as we prepared and geared ourselves to face each of his enemies as the days develop.

While we were ready to take a taxi to Marina Cruise terminal, our little STAR prefer to take MRT instead, to Marina bay and worst still, he insisted that his sister to go with him and mummy, so I myself took a taxi and wait for them outside the MRT station before we all head towards ICT.  The checking into the cruise was smooth and present.  On board, we had our first taste of the food for tea time, before participated a master drill for the guest at 6pm.  Dinner was served at Italian restuarant right after 6.30pm, glad to make friends with another family of four, Kenneth, Aina and their 2 lovely kids who were on the same table with us.  Shared with them a bit on our journey with our son in this path less travelled. At night, we will stay in cabin to play the aeroplane chess with him , our little Star was so happy that he requested to sleep on top of the double decker bed, he told us he likes to sleep on tree house, we let him after ensure safety measure in place.

There were many interesting places we explored such as the swimming/bubble pool and the restuarant we had for our breakfast, lunch and tea break, internet cafe.  Our cabin was located near the lift leading to some of the places yet our little Star will prefer the one with the open window bubble lift even he has to walk a longer distant to reach the destination.  I supported and accept this little request but thankful that he still able to be re-directed on few occasions.  We enjoyed eating, walking around, swimming and sitting the lift up and down with him.  Sometimes he will wonder off to lift lobby after he finished his meal while we are still eating, either my Mrs or me will take turns to manage. We also get him to choose a post card selling on board while in port Klang, wrote some words of wishes to his teacher and post out from there before heading for dinner to close our 2nd day activities on cruise.

On the 3rd day, the cruise had reached open sea near Malacca.  We had our usual breakfast routine and had plans to go on shore to have some site visit and walk around. He was still Ok when we went up the pump boat but soon saps into anxiety as the boat leave the cruise further away, he started to escalate and we were trying to calm him down, he told us he wants to get back to the cruise and not wanting to go on shore.  An auntie in front turn back trying to console him the normal way but got worse as his escalation went north further, I shared with her that he has a special needs and was anxious about leaving the cruise which he feels so comfortable and predictable after first day on board.  Luckily, Kenneth who was on the same boat with us, came to try talk things out with him, this time with more assurance tone and encouragement by attuning to his perspective and special thinking, which prevented him from almost melting down.  Once we reach on shore, we became the fastest guest to turn around as we took the next boat back to cruise.  We know this may not be welcome by his sister who has to bear with this fustration of living between our world and his world..

But we have to accept this situation as normal and be prepared to do whatever it takes to turn things around to bring back his joy & our happiness by embracing his little imperfection.  Back in cruise, he was once again a happy boy with his usual great smile, we spend time between cabin, swimming pool, tea break and internet cafe.  When in public, he will talk at volume 4 or 5 at times where ever he goes, we try to model him what is like to talk in volume 2-3, he may follow at first but later will goes into his volume 4-5 again. It seems to us that in his world he is only by himself and nobody else as he care less on emotion and feeling of others.  In his world, whatever he perceives as his happiness, other people around has got to be happy as well, which very often make others who may not understand him difficult to interact with him or easily misunderstood by his wierd behavior.

We had our last dinner in the same Italian restuarant since we went on board and  taken valuable photos with the family for the friendship we had made in this cruise, thankful to Kenneth & his family for their understanding, support where it truly matters and make our first cruise journey worth while and memorable.  There were some party atmosphere created by the staff of the restuarant, dancing and singing.

After dinner, I went for my ME time to catch a 45mins show in paying tribute to Michael Jackson, the impersonator sang and danced like MJ, real awesome & enjoyed it very much. Little Star and mummy went back to cabin to have an early rest for the day while sister checked into the internet cafe for her own ME time as well before I merry up with her.

The cruise arrived back at Marina cruise Center at about 8am, we had our last breakfast and after settled the miscellaneous bill, we were ready to check out the cruise and home sweet home.  It was a great experience and learning journey for us and our little STAR.  We know he CAN if we believe and create every opportunities to include him and embrace his CAN!

Winner's Statement:-

The Journey Is The Reward - 2012

Just a year ago, I was sharing the chronicle of his learning journey from his 3 years of EIP as he prepared to embark on a new journey. 1 year on Today, I take great pride again to share the joy of how far he has come in his new journey in the special school.

It has never being easy for him, what neuro typical kids put in to learn, he has to expend at least 10 times more effort and energy to acquire and at times undermine by attention where it matters most during independent work or group learning,  kudos to his teachers who have been very patient and understanding in maximizing his potential to learn and progress.

He has enjoyed greatly the companion of friends in school with the teachers, going through steep learning curve on skill ranging from daily living skills to social emotional management. It was practise, practise and practise in various topics taught for Mathematics, English, IT not forgetting some fun in Discovery and also great memories from several school outings held along the journey.

One of the most rewarding we found in his first year learning journey was the opportunity for him to share his learning journey in public speaking during Term 3 PCN, this could not have been possible if not for the great confident and encouragement of his teachers in him.  My wife and I were too immersed in the state of flow as we witnessed the moment that unfold before us, that we actually miss taking any photos ourselves.

Every Friday after school, he will have his play dates engagement in Delphi Orchard under the watchful eyes and great mentors of therapists, this is also a time where he can chill out at the cafe with his mum in front of the busy Orchard road.

He is able to seek more social engagement with sister and cousins from my sister's family as we occassionally gather to play catch up, it is a joy to see all growing up happy and healthy.

iPAD has been a great leisure & learning tools for him as he regularly uses it to watch video he is interested, play games and also act as a useful visual aids for his writing and speaker corner practice.

He has also enjoyed a great deal working with his OT to improve his body strength, hand eye co-ordination and other advance cognitive skill development.  We are very grateful to his therapists that he is able to benefit much from their services provided.

Autism is about having a pure heart, and being very sensitive...It is about finding a way to survive in an overwhelming, confusing world. It is about developing differently, in a different pace and with different leaps.  Parenting a child with Autism is one of the hardest things you will ever do...but it will teach you the meaning of unconditional love from giving to him & what he receives where we all believe it that he CAN wit the right support..

The relationship we develop with him is like rainbow between 2 hearts sharing the ups and downs of the 7 colors through Love, Sadness, Happiness, Truth, Faith, Secret & Respect.

He is blessed with teachers that support and understand him what it truly matters to make each moment of his learning count. He had made a card to thank them all, there is no best teachers around because they are all good teachers to whom he always has high regards.

Take this blessing to thanks Ms Julie, Ms Yen & Sped Team for the great job!

We now look forward to his holidays or rather holiday camp for him, the first in the pipe line will be the coming first ever 3N4D cruise that the family will be boarding on the Costa Victoria in few days from now.

We will be bringing along some homeworks to let him complete, play with him, let him practice and generalize as the family enjoy the new experience altogether.

We shall be also be looking forward to his P1 orientation in last week of Dec.

I always believe & agree that family must play an active role to make a difference to their children's lives.

Look forward to new partnership with the teachers in the school come New Year 2013, to seek mutual co-creating, support and reinforcing that which is effective as I continue to learn new teaching method and journey on with him.

Winner's Statement:-

Happy Children's Day

When I am not at work in our world, I am actually hard at work in my the other world induging in my hobby of Autism with my son with this special need. My challenge is to maintain & enjoy a very fine balance of state of flow in both world. And this is not for one day but every day since day 1 when he was diagnosed back in mid 2008 until as long as our journey can go.

Today is Children's Day, he was so blessed with presents from teachers who he has crossed path and make an impact to how he was shaped until this far in his learning journey.  Truely he had enjoyed himself greatly to the celebration put up by the teachers in school who have worked hard to make it happen.  All of his teachers are just so amazing!

He has in returned made a video log to thanks his teachers:-

http://youtu.be/smL-rCfGybA

Slowly but surely the children have grown up while their parents have grown older gracefully.

It takes a special and superb family together in our strive to find a normal life in the midst of imperfection, this is what Love is all about, and along the way, we build action into our Hope with Faith, Positive outlook, mindsets and thinking to carry us to where we are today.  There are still plenty of challenges yet to unfold in this journey less travel and we must continue to self educate and hands on in parallel to ready to face the enemies head on in that world of social dis-connect, not forgetting to seek every joy and peace in between our walk.

I am thankful for my family and wish both my children and other children as well A Very Happy & Blessed Children's Day.

Taking this blessing to share a topic on Brain Imbalance:-

Left brain (Over stimulating, hyper active)

- All about Details, looking for pattern, sequence
- Analysis the pattern and predict what is going to happen in the future and come with best action for the future
- Control small muscle like typing or moving in sequence or playing piano
- Provide Verbal speech or communication, spelling, reading, writing, vocab, receptive language
- Verbal IQ
- Declarative memory, explicit, remember what we learn, conscious memory
- Positive emotion: happy surprise and anger
- Approaching the world behaviour, motor driven
- Love familiarity, love repetitive task
- Activating the white blood cells and the immune system, provide anti-bodes to attack
- Light touch


Right Brain (under activation)
- See everything all at once, see big picture
- Control big muscle, feel our entire body, balance spatial relationship, self awareness
- Non verbal, facial expression,emotional feeling, eye contact, tonal voice body posture, social skill foundation
- Foundation of verbal communication
- Performance IQ, EQ
- Learning implicitly or sub-consciousness
- Negative emotion: fear disgust and sadness
- Withdrawal behaviour,
- Sympathetic nervous system controlling of digestive system
- Deep touch
- reasoning

Processing imbalance between 2 hemispheres of the brain, where problem is, cross talk deficit, function disconnection are neurology in nature which is complex and difficult to understand at times by people.  He is more left brain driven and under work on the right, while neuro typical kid can be self calibrated to maintain a healthy balance, he has to go through the hard way to calibrate & recalibrate through trials & practise.  This imbalance can be improved with professional help & self practises in collaboration with teachers at his special school & various therapists we engaged.  The only challenges I found as a parent is that there is no one solution fits all, as every child in this spectrum is uniques in their own special way.  In everything we do, there is no quick and easy way out, everything neuro typical child learn naturally, they just have to be taught, by applying Love is patience.

We now look forward to working hard with him to ready his SA2 in both English & Maths subject for strong finish to term 4 2012.

Winners Statement:-

Blissful 7 (Sep 2012)

7 is my favourite number, today my little STAR turns 7, the greatest gift I can give to him is to continue to believe in him.  I am proud of him and thankful to have him in my life, he is my joy of living, he has made me grow stronger each day with every challenges we meets to over come together.  Since we began our special learning journey in Jan 2009, I am now more autistic than before,  enjoys more of his world with him today than when I first started.  He has openned up a broader perspective in my life, though still way to go, with many more to learn from him as he grow up while I age gracefully.

Through him, I enjoy the previledge of living the best of both world(our world and his world).  From him, I learn to appreciate for the little things and value every moment that we have been blessed each day with, interacting and marvel at his inch stone progress.  Just want to thank him for the blissful seven years and looking forward to even more bliss ahead.  Wish him Happy & Blessed 7^th Birthday.

Winner's Statement:-

August Of Awesomeness

How time flies and we have now enter into the 9th month of 2012, Term 3 had just concluded, so thankful that we have come this far of the learning journey 2012 with my little STAR, feel so blessed to see some transformation taking place, slowly but surely.

Digital Wisdom

IT skill is certainly one of the very important milestone for him, he is able to search youtube for the show that he had been taught to watch in school and and some of the show that he is familiar in Disney Playhouse Junior channel, with the available of iPad & notebook or desk top he is able to adapt to different feel, touch screen and also keyboard to practise typing, spelling, hand eye co-ordination in his daily life and leisure.

Home Programs

Writing journal is still an on going process or routine over weekend program, with a mixture of fill in the blanks or getting him to contribute to the sentence formation and go with his flow if he can.  With time, we are hopeful that his brain cells will open up to more reflection and thoughts from him that can be written down more meaningfully by himself.

Moment taken while practising Animal riddle at home, video link:-

http://youtu.be/oo0vL4mwIJo

Olympic 2012

Playing some table tennis at home from the inspiration of the just concluded London Olympic games, we actually used the white board to be the net this time.

47th National Day

Reflection and art activities to celebrate our 47th National Day

Wearing red & white out fit for the occasion and also taken a picture with his mum & sister during her National Day dinner performance at the CC.

Get him to write the pledge and also a journal about National Day Celebration

http://youtu.be/jyfY8lnbib4

Saying his pledge to be a concern citizen, self directed learner, confident person & active contirbutor to the Nation contonuous progress.

http://youtu.be/Etap3PHOexI

Family Outing to Gardens By The Bay

The whole family visited the Gardens by the bay on Hari Raya Sunday

It was an enjoyable outing for the family immersing in the discovery of nature, get him to write journal the next day to recap

Put it in iPad to make him read a loud like ebook

Play Time



Indulging into his favourite toy cars and trains putting them on a aeroplane chess mat to construct his road with train track integrate in the midst.

 Fixing the 48 pieces puzzle of the Super Heroes

He was being tasked to present a sharing of a learning journey with another school mate in pair during his school end of term Parent Communication Night, though we know it will be challenging but always faithful that the teachers in charge will make every possible effort to ready them and we must also be ready to over come any enemies that come along .  So glad that he made it and also sit through until almost the end of PCN session, kudos to the teachers.  Really can feel the state of flow and blissfulness for the moment after he accomplished his task, great memories to bring home.

With the end of August also reminds us that Teacher's Day is around the corner.  Is another time of the year that we remember teachers who inspire with their passion in teaching, to create an impact & make a difference to the children in their learning journey together. 

Little wish from my little STAR to all teachers who he has been blessed with in the past 3 years plus since 2009 until this far:-

Look forward to Term 4 for another strong finish with him for 2012.



Winners Statement:-