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:-