5th WAAD

The short holiday in Mar was enjoyed with home work, computer & play time on top of his usual engagement on OT, ST & Social Group weekly session.

With Mar nearing its end comes another celebration for the 5th WAAD in Apr, I had prepared a montage to give thanks & share with friends, parents, SpEd, therapists who we have crossed path over the last 3 years in our journey together with Him and more as the networking builds on. This montage also marks the end to his journey with early intervention program as he now embarks on another transformational journey toward the next lap of learning. I wish Him all the best as we continue to provide him with whatever support he needs to maximize his potential, he has been so blessed to have come this far of the journey and we look forward to many more cheers to come.

http://animoto.com/play/pgh862ZaCXR9dpucguD2jw

The Light It Up Blue was held to mark the 5th WAAD for the first time in Singapore, so thankful that we can now be part of this initiative to raise the awareness for Autism in our local scene with the growing prevalence.

On the day of the Light It Up Blue event, my little STAR was having his speech social group session at Delphi Orchard and will have finish at 6pm before heading home via MRT with mummy. The little STAR was surprised to have meet up with his teacher in EIP on the way back as they walked towards Orchard MRT. She was the teacher who had sowed his first seed of learning and successfuly see him graduate through to the next lab, one to whom we are very grateful until these days for her contribution to our little STAR's progress, this was a truely divine moment, we were so happy and thankful for the magical moment. We light up our our living hall blue too, look so blissful and peaceful.

My sister was there to witness the Light It Up Blue event after work and she too, also had her divine moment of taking photos with people without realising that some of them were actually teachers of her nephew, my little STAR. She is most proud to have taken a photo with Mdm Denise Phua who all of us have very high regards on her in this special communities of Singapore including the people with hearing impairment where my sister belongs. Thanks to all for making the moment count.

We arranged the next day evening for a dinner together at Ion Orchard to recollect the event again there after and took some more photos for our collection.

With great understanding, good training & right support, I am always hopeful that "deficits" demonstrated in Autism are actually trade-offs. What seems, at first glance, like a straight forward liability may turn out to be a complex mixture of blessings and burdens, so it is critical that we continue to understand, accept & include them in our society, treat them with respect and dignity. Autism according to some research evidence, represents an alternate way of making sense of the world, a cognitive difference that, in many instances, comes with unexpected benefits, we need to intrude to explore with them to find out the various possibilties to manage best outcome. I am only 3 years plus old in this learning journey, I have still got a long way to learn and look forward to more knowledge & peace in this joy of living.

March Delights - Conclusion of Term 1 2012

Term 1 had just passed by, it has been great 10 weeks for the little STAR in his new learning experience. One week of school holidays will be an opportunity to bridge his gap and lack in some area of his weakness. Taking stock and ready to work with him on the bulk of home works given by teacher to follow through daily progressively. It is learning, practise, try and retry in progress until he manages consistent success with reasonable understanding. His memory has been recognized as one of his strength, able to watch TV and appreciate the content on disney junior channel and even singing songs with them. I had also manage to know who his classmates are, how many are in his class etc...from him. He even mentioned some teachers which has crossed path during any school activities when he pretend or enact out the routine to us at home.

He has also picked up some useful skill in digital literacy and able to manipulate, click, scroll to response. He is motivated to work on the computer, this will reduce effort further as he work on the various links provided by teachers to revise what was been taught in Term 1 ranging from English to Math to Daily Living Skill and Social Emotional Management, to align & develop his learning competencies in the 21st Century.

Look forward to Term 2 with the IEP firmed up and ready to start another small race.

I had attended the end of Term parent communication night and found it enriching and useful. One of which are the 7 essential skills vital for our 21st century learning & development competencies to achieve a good outcome as a confident and responsible person, which include Work Independence, Emotional Management, Communication Skill, Physical Health, Social Safety, Vocational & Community skill. Teachers gave an update on various tracks and students were given chance to present their work, kuodos to educators.

When we teach, always remind ourselves to apply "I Do, We Do, You Do"

Always believe that every child is teachable, and all of the adults/caregivers can teach, make each moment count.

I had also picked up some tips to be a better advocate for my little STAR:-

1) Get Updated on the landscape

2) Think of the outcome you want to achieve

3) Stay balance between courage & consideration. Whatever we advocate, be constructive to promote good collaborative effort betwen parties concern for the betterment of our child

4) Acknowledge the good effort and show appreciation to one another in this walk together

The PCN ended with an inspiring video of "Don't give up!" from the 92 Barcelona game, the race of a life time is about how one manages his finish inspite of great challenges ahead.

http://youtu.be/kZlXWp6vFdE

Finish Strong is more than a statement, it's an attitude. It's an attitude of believing you can do something and having the courage and determination to see it through.

It was another memorable session, learning journey continues...

5th World Autism Awareness Day is around the corner 2 Apr to be exact, looking forward to sharing another montage release of my little STAR learning journey with many professionals who had walked with him & family together, this will be 3rd montages in 3 years & truely a very rewarding & frutiful journey with our beautiful seed.

Winners Statement: