All About Autism

[pinkamoon]

As I have experience with deferment, let me share about what documents are needed. I downloaded the form from the website, attached my son’s assessment report and provided details about how I would be utilising the extra year. What they are looking for is not the academic drilling u will put your child through but more of the interventions he/she may likely benefit from. Very simple.


Back to P1, for children who are not disruptive and can follow instructions, I think they should be able to cope in P1 although I think the academics part is quite demanding. At this moment, my son is able to cope but I can see that the worksheets he brings back home are for children with good foundation. Before CNY, my son’s form teacher was already telling parents that there were a handful who could not manage the day to day work in school during the briefing.

Some parents are talking about not declaring. I was in a dilemma too but ultimately I chose to declare. Let me share with all parents the position I am in now. As a result of declaring my son’s condition to teachers and principal, the teacher’s acted on it and I have already met the P, teachers, counsellor and AED in Jan this year. I have weekly feedbacks and my son is out through a social class with some other children once a week during lesson time. The P voiced his opinions about ASD children and frankly speaking, I get his points and I was quite pissed off by him. However, other than him, the rest of the people were nice esp his co form (CL teacher). Nowadays, most schools have 2 form teachers per class - EL & CL whether u declare or not. AEDS are very busy, they see serious cases 1hr a day n the rest once a week.
AEDS don’t act like shadow teachers. There are simply too many problematic children in every class.

I declared my son’s condition even before orientation. It turns out that there are 3 cases of ASD (I think) in my son’s class including my son. The teachers were having a hard time coping and after a few weeks, the school had to transfer 1 out of his class. The teachers are keeping my son n another boy in the same class but are preparing us for the possibility of new class allocation in the next few months.

For me, what I hope to achieve by declaring his condition is to help the school with pupils allocation and on turn help teachers to single out those who need more attention. By not declaring, the school still has the right to refer this child to cousellor who in turn will inform the MOE’S psychologist who may still diagnose him/her. However, by declaring, it may give teachers excuses to pick on the child and his/her weird behaviours. So, I guess it is up to parents to decide for yourself. For me, I was in denial. By being open about his condition, it has helped me accept him as he is (Sonrise). In fact, it has made me a happier mum. I used to have a lot of sadness in me, now I feel free…

[Double E]

Niu2009:

Dear all,

Thanks for all the replies. My son did porogrss well last year. I never think abt accademy at least before P3. I talked to his childcare teachers, ST and his doctor. They not recommend defer. Now he did individual ST, group ST, social group. Becoz his awareness in group is a bit low. I don't know what else I can do to help him. His ST said his social issue is mild, but I really worry the bully. I haven't made decision yet. Will let your guys know when I made my mind.

Hi Niu2009
I also worry abt bullies in school. But somehow, I am not sure if deferring a year will help to mitigate the bully situation because bullies are every where. I often cited this as a worry about sending my son to mainstream until someone told me that there are bullies in Pathlight too. So I think what we can do is to let our boys know if they are being bullied, who can they approach in school and they must tell us. I am not sure if my boy will tell me but i know he is a complaint king now, will complaint to teachers over little things , even if someone accidentally brushes his hands or legs. I guess is due to his sensitive to touch. In fact, I am more worried about his complaint king syndrome, will irritate others and no one will want to be his friends.

[sharonkhoo]

Double E:

In fact, I am more worried about his complaint king syndrome, will irritate others and no one will want to be his friends.

This is true. Maybe try desensitising him at home with various types of touch activities? Also, if he is able to grasp this, explain to him that he is more sensitive than most, and teach him to recognise what is normally acceptable and what is not. My daughter is sensitive to touch too, but doesn't complain - she will shy away as if the person has assaulted her! People get shocked by her reaction, and we have tried to get her to react less. But it's an instinctive one, so not much we can do.

[Niu2009]

Double E:

Niu2009:

Dear all,

Thanks for all the replies. My son did porogrss well last year. I never think abt accademy at least before P3. I talked to his childcare teachers, ST and his doctor. They not recommend defer. Now he did individual ST, group ST, social group. Becoz his awareness in group is a bit low. I don't know what else I can do to help him. His ST said his social issue is mild, but I really worry the bully. I haven't made decision yet. Will let your guys know when I made my mind.

Hi Niu2009
I also worry abt bullies in school. But somehow, I am not sure if deferring a year will help to mitigate the bully situation because bullies are every where. I often cited this as a worry about sending my son to mainstream until someone told me that there are bullies in Pathlight too. So I think what we can do is to let our boys know if they are being bullied, who can they approach in school and they must tell us. I am not sure if my boy will tell me but i know he is a complaint king now, will complaint to teachers over little things , even if someone accidentally brushes his hands or legs. I guess is due to his sensitive to touch. In fact, I am more worried about his complaint king syndrome, will irritate others and no one will want to be his friends.

Hi double E,

Do understand! My son is totally different. He will complaint, but not many. So far most of his classmate like to play with him. But he quite selective. I sensed he prefer to play himself sometimes. Sign!

[Niu2009]

Double E:

Niu2009:

Dear all,

Thanks for all the replies. My son did porogrss well last year. I never think abt accademy at least before P3. I talked to his childcare teachers, ST and his doctor. They not recommend defer. Now he did individual ST, group ST, social group. Becoz his awareness in group is a bit low. I don't know what else I can do to help him. His ST said his social issue is mild, but I really worry the bully. I haven't made decision yet. Will let your guys know when I made my mind.

Hi Niu2009
I also worry abt bullies in school. But somehow, I am not sure if deferring a year will help to mitigate the bully situation because bullies are every where. I often cited this as a worry about sending my son to mainstream until someone told me that there are bullies in Pathlight too. So I think what we can do is to let our boys know if they are being bullied, who can they approach in school and they must tell us. I am not sure if my boy will tell me but i know he is a complaint king now, will complaint to teachers over little things , even if someone accidentally brushes his hands or legs. I guess is due to his sensitive to touch. In fact, I am more worried about his complaint king syndrome, will irritate others and no one will want to be his friends.

Hi double E,

Do understand! My son is totally different. He will complaint, but not many. So far most of his classmate like to play with him. But he quite selective. I sensed he prefer to play himself sometimes. Sign!

[Niu2009]

Hi double,

This is the reason why i not prefer boys school as there are more rough. My son is quite soft soft one.

[Niu2009]

Hi double,

This is the reason why i not prefer boys school as there are more rough. My son is quite soft soft one.

[sharonkhoo]

Niu2009:

So far most of his classmate like to play with him. But he quite selective. I sensed he prefer to play himself sometimes. Sign!

Not all kids, even NT ones, are very social. As long as your son is willing to socialise to a limited extent, I wouldn't worry.

[Double E]

slmkhoo:

Niu2009:

So far most of his classmate like to play with him. But he quite selective. I sensed he prefer to play himself sometimes. Sign!

Not all kids, even NT ones, are very social. As long as your son is willing to socialise to a limited extent, I wouldn't worry.

True. I have seen NT kids who are loner too. Just like to do their own things.

Last week, I brought my kids to a friends' place. It was one of my happiest nights this month. Cos he initiated to play \"What time is the wolf\" with the other kids and all played along. He can play so well with them. But being him , he kept wanting to play the same game until one of the girls came to tell me if I can ask my son to change game. lol!!

[Niu2009]

This week I am really sad. At first, swimming coach said my son was not concentrated in class. Then is his teacher said his condition was not good recently, sometimes lose himself in class, and no response when his friends talked to him. No teamwork, just do his own.

Seems I need to arrange a school visit.