All About Autism

[lisssa]

hi parents, do you you have recommendations for school readiness programmes? My child is going on P1 next year I am really worried that he would not be able to adapt to Mainstream school. Anyone with similar concerns?

[tyeogh]

It’s one thing to advertise in a thread where parents of special children use to share information, and another to masquerade as a parent of a special child just to advertise for Olive Tree. In both your posts to date, you are using the same ploy to draw attention to Olive Tree. It is done in poor taste.


I do not know if you are doing this with the permission of the owner Chiu or purposely ruining his already tattered reputation. I pulled my son out of Olive Tree for this same reason of aggressive advertising, irresponsible methods, shoddy delivery of service.

The more you advertise, the more you put parents off. If you are good, word of mouth gets around and we will come to you naturally.

[Snow24]

Hi


If child can study mainstream.curriculum however need 1 to 1 support or smaller group setting. Is it still feasible to attend mainstream primary school?

What to prepare child or to do to support mainstream primary school?

[ImMeeMee]

tyeogh:

Hi Double E,
Yes. At the moment, wife and me are leaning towards mainstream. Registering him in Phase 1 in July. That school has Allied Educators (Sped).

I have also applied to Pathlight Primary at the same time. This is kiasu parents forum right? Hehehe. Just got an email that his Pathlight entry assessment is fixed this June 2. Any one wants to advise what I should prepare for??

Why 2 applications? To give me a longer runway to make an educated decision.

Sometimes we still flip flop between the decision. A month ago, he came back from mainstream K2 with 0/10 for English spelling. We tried teaching him. He refused to learn. Even after he had learned, he refused to write during spelling. Zzzz. So he got 1/10 for the following week's spelling. Pathlight seemed the logical choice then.

I countered with a strategy. Sat with him with a cane for an entire week to learn spelling. Threatened him. Last week, after spelling, his book was not returned. No correction. I think he got all 10 words right. Mainstream seems the logical choice. ....this week. Zzzz.

Very hard to tell whether that boy is plain naughty like any other kid or has real learning disability. Difficulty is compounded because he likes to argue these days. Why must I do spelling? Daddy, you don't go my school ok? (meaning it's time to check with his teacher what naughty things he did). I guess it's a journey about learning how to handle him.

Double E,
What's your primary school plan for your DS?

tyeogh

This is based on my experience two years back.

We were all gathered at the auditorium. The children were divided into groups and led by teachers to classrooms out of parents' sight. They were there for about 1 hour or so. I was told that they did worksheets and played some games in the classroom setting.

So it may help to prepare your child on what to expect on that day - general sequence of events, listening to teachers' instructions, stay on seat. I know some parents entice their kids with lucrative rewards for behaving properly during the screening, but if this is not your cup of tea ... chill.

Have fun.

[ImMeeMee]

Snow24:

Hi


If child can study mainstream.curriculum however need 1 to 1 support or smaller group setting. Is it still feasible to attend mainstream primary school?

What to prepare child or to do to support mainstream primary school?

Snow

Back then my dd3's psy assessment ascertained that she was cognitively ready for mainstream curriculum but needs more structured learning support. So our decision was to let her go PL.

Having said that, what makes this interesting (or challenging) is that there is no one-size-fits-all. This was my personal experience for your reference.

Hope this helps and all the best!

[sharonkhoo]

Snow24:

Hi


If child can study mainstream.curriculum however need 1 to 1 support or smaller group setting. Is it still feasible to attend mainstream primary school?

What to prepare child or to do to support mainstream primary school?

It really depends on how much support your child needs and how much the school is able to provide. The regular teachers will not be able to provide much support, certainly not small group or 1-to-1, because they have 29 other kids to teach. If the school is able to provide pull-out classes or other support, you will have to see if that is adequate. But I don't know how many schools can do this, and to what extent.

My daughter is mildly Asperger's, and we didn't have her diagnosed at the time she entered school. We knew that she would probably dream a lot of the time away, have some social skills and coping issues, but she's the non-disruptive type, so we thought she'd be OK. I did ask the teachers to cut her some slack, did a lot of social skills and behaviour prep at home, and also coached (or had someone coach) her at home. We had a few rougher spots along the way, but she generally coped alright. But it really depends on your child's behaviour and needs.

Have you considered Pathlight?

[Double E]

tyeogh:

Double E:

Tyeogh
your son is also registering for P1 this year? have u decided on mainstream or pathlight?

Hi Double E,
Yes. At the moment, wife and me are leaning towards mainstream. Registering him in Phase 1 in July. That school has Allied Educators (Sped).

I have also applied to Pathlight Primary at the same time. This is kiasu parents forum right? Hehehe. Just got an email that his Pathlight entry assessment is fixed this June 2. Any one wants to advise what I should prepare for??

Why 2 applications? To give me a longer runway to make an educated decision.

Sometimes we still flip flop between the decision. A month ago, he came back from mainstream K2 with 0/10 for English spelling. We tried teaching him. He refused to learn. Even after he had learned, he refused to write during spelling. Zzzz. So he got 1/10 for the following week's spelling. Pathlight seemed the logical choice then.

I countered with a strategy. Sat with him with a cane for an entire week to learn spelling. Threatened him. Last week, after spelling, his book was not returned. No correction. I think he got all 10 words right. Mainstream seems the logical choice. ....this week. Zzzz.

Very hard to tell whether that boy is plain naughty like any other kid or has real learning disability. Difficulty is compounded because he likes to argue these days. Why must I do spelling? Daddy, you don't go my school ok? (meaning it's time to check with his teacher what naughty things he did). I guess it's a journey about learning how to handle him.

Double E,
What's your primary school plan for your DS?

Tyeogh
My son scored 78 for his IQ test, below average but the doctor said it could be due to his listlessness cos he could score high on certain segments and said he should be able to get above 85 points. So having said that, she said he is suitable for either Pathlight or Mainstream and encouraged us to give Mainstream a shot but have to inform the school on things to look out for him such as sit at the first row, get him to write down instructions to bring home, have a buddy etc.

Husband and I decided to let him try mainstream pri. The two schools that I am interested in have Allied Educators too and they seem supportive, though the first thing they asked is has he been diagnosed? what was the doctor's advice? Like they hope to hear me telling them that he is not suited for mainsteam but I insist to try, so that they can advise me to take the doctor's advice. Haha! maybe I am just being sensitive.

Initially I had the idea like you, to apply for mainsteam and pathlight then decide later. But we decided not to apply for pathlight cos my husband didn't want to subject him to more screening since we have more or less decided on mainstream.

Talking abt spelling, thankfully my son has been cooperative so far. Always get full marks for both Eng and Chinese spelling. In fact, for his Eng spelling, he didn't need to learn any of the words, somehow he can spell them but the words are very simple, 3-4 letter words. For Chinese spelling, I only need to spend about 30mins with him to go through the strokes and he will be able to write them.

His weakest link now is comprehension, which will be a major headache if he doesn't improve on this. After reading a passage, he has difficulty answering questions about it. I am drilling him on this area now, only 6 mths left for me to do so, time is running out. Because no point knowing how to spell but cannot comprehend and apply. And of course, other areas like buying food and wearing pants with buttons. He just learned how to clean his bottom after pooping.

I feel that your child knows the words, just that he doesn't want to do it, he has a very strong mind of his own.

And I do have a good news this week, he can finally swim decently! after learning swimming for almost 2 years. 2 years!! Well, better late than never.

[mashy]

ImMeeMee:

Snow24:

Hi


If child can study mainstream.curriculum however need 1 to 1 support or smaller group setting. Is it still feasible to attend mainstream primary school?

What to prepare child or to do to support mainstream primary school?

Snow

Back then my dd3's psy assessment ascertained that she was cognitively ready for mainstream curriculum but needs more structured learning support. So our decision was to let her go PL.

Having said that, what makes this interesting (or challenging) is that there is no one-size-fits-all. This was my personal experience for your reference.

Hope this helps and all the best!

When my boy was in kindy, he needed 1-1 attention to do work. Else he won't do. He started off like this in pri 1 too but somehow along the way, he started doing on his own. Sometimes he still had work that he didn't do, but it wasn't as bad. Teacher's feedback have been pretty good.

[mashy]

Double E:

tyeogh:

[quote=\"Double E\"]
Tyeogh
your son is also registering for P1 this year? have u decided on mainstream or pathlight?

Hi Double E,
Yes. At the moment, wife and me are leaning towards mainstream. Registering him in Phase 1 in July. That school has Allied Educators (Sped).

I have also applied to Pathlight Primary at the same time. This is kiasu parents forum right? Hehehe. Just got an email that his Pathlight entry assessment is fixed this June 2. Any one wants to advise what I should prepare for??

Why 2 applications? To give me a longer runway to make an educated decision.

Sometimes we still flip flop between the decision. A month ago, he came back from mainstream K2 with 0/10 for English spelling. We tried teaching him. He refused to learn. Even after he had learned, he refused to write during spelling. Zzzz. So he got 1/10 for the following week's spelling. Pathlight seemed the logical choice then.

I countered with a strategy. Sat with him with a cane for an entire week to learn spelling. Threatened him. Last week, after spelling, his book was not returned. No correction. I think he got all 10 words right. Mainstream seems the logical choice. ....this week. Zzzz.

Very hard to tell whether that boy is plain naughty like any other kid or has real learning disability. Difficulty is compounded because he likes to argue these days. Why must I do spelling? Daddy, you don't go my school ok? (meaning it's time to check with his teacher what naughty things he did). I guess it's a journey about learning how to handle him.

Double E,
What's your primary school plan for your DS?

Tyeogh
My son scored 78 for his IQ test, below average but the doctor said it could be due to his listlessness cos he could score high on certain segments and said he should be able to get above 85 points. So having said that, she said he is suitable for either Pathlight or Mainstream and encouraged us to give Mainstream a shot but have to inform the school on things to look out for him such as sit at the first row, get him to write down instructions to bring home, have a buddy etc.

Husband and I decided to let him try mainstream pri. The two schools that I am interested in have Allied Educators too and they seem supportive, though the first thing they asked is has he been diagnosed? what was the doctor's advice? Like they hope to hear me telling them that he is not suited for mainsteam but I insist to try, so that they can advise me to take the doctor's advice. Haha! maybe I am just being sensitive.

Initially I had the idea like you, to apply for mainsteam and pathlight then decide later. But we decided not to apply for pathlight cos my husband didn't want to subject him to more screening since we have more or less decided on mainstream.

Talking abt spelling, thankfully my son has been cooperative so far. Always get full marks for both Eng and Chinese spelling. In fact, for his Eng spelling, he didn't need to learn any of the words, somehow he can spell them but the words are very simple, 3-4 letter words. For Chinese spelling, I only need to spend about 30mins with him to go through the strokes and he will be able to write them.

His weakest link now is comprehension, which will be a major headache if he doesn't improve on this. After reading a passage, he has difficulty answering questions about it. I am drilling him on this area now, only 6 mths left for me to do so, time is running out. Because no point knowing how to spell but cannot comprehend and apply. And of course, other areas like buying food and wearing pants with buttons. He just learned how to clean his bottom after pooping.

I feel that your child knows the words, just that he doesn't want to do it, he has a very strong mind of his own.

And I do have a good news this week, he can finally swim decently! after learning swimming for almost 2 years. 2 years!! Well, better late than never.[/quote]Congrats on solving the pooping prob and him swimming!

He will get there, don't worry. Comprehension is a never ending learning process. Will just have to teach him how to read between the lines etc. My son was failing his comprehension earlier. Now he is starting to show improvement and passing it. They just need more practice and help.

I managed to get my dd to clean up herself too. Yay! Now she knows if it's disgusting to clean up poop, she shouldn't be asking me to do it. Hahahah.

[tyeogh]

Double E:

Tyeogh
My son scored 78 for his IQ test, below average but the doctor said it could be due to his listlessness cos he could score high on certain segments and said he should be able to get above 85 points. So having said that, she said he is suitable for either Pathlight or Mainstream and encouraged us to give Mainstream a shot but have to inform the school on things to look out for him such as sit at the first row, get him to write down instructions to bring home, have a buddy etc.

Husband and I decided to let him try mainstream pri. The two schools that I am interested in have Allied Educators too and they seem supportive, though the first thing they asked is has he been diagnosed? what was the doctor's advice? Like they hope to hear me telling them that he is not suited for mainsteam but I insist to try, so that they can advise me to take the doctor's advice. Haha! maybe I am just being sensitive.

Initially I had the idea like you, to apply for mainsteam and pathlight then decide later. But we decided not to apply for pathlight cos my husband didn't want to subject him to more screening since we have more or less decided on mainstream.

Talking abt spelling, thankfully my son has been cooperative so far. Always get full marks for both Eng and Chinese spelling. In fact, for his Eng spelling, he didn't need to learn any of the words, somehow he can spell them but the words are very simple, 3-4 letter words. For Chinese spelling, I only need to spend about 30mins with him to go through the strokes and he will be able to write them.

His weakest link now is comprehension, which will be a major headache if he doesn't improve on this. After reading a passage, he has difficulty answering questions about it. I am drilling him on this area now, only 6 mths left for me to do so, time is running out. Because no point knowing how to spell but cannot comprehend and apply. And of course, other areas like buying food and wearing pants with buttons. He just learned how to clean his bottom after pooping.

I feel that your child knows the words, just that he doesn't want to do it, he has a very strong mind of his own.

And I do have a good news this week, he can finally swim decently! after learning swimming for almost 2 years. 2 years!! Well, better late than never.

DoubleE,
Your post prompted me to look at my son's Autism report again. Previously, it was just a bunch of words I didn't understand.

If we are referring to the same thing, my son's Full Scale IQ is 80. He is in the Low Average bracket of 75-86. The report highlighted the FSIQ \"could not be meaningfully interpreted due to the unusually large discrepancy between the highest (PSI) and lowest (VCI) index scores\". I have no idea why our weather's PSI reading is included and what these actually mean. To me, it means the IQ test is not accurate but here's one anyway. Or maybe its still a bunch of words I don't understand. So yea, our boys are sama sama.

Pathlight's admission requirement is \"non-verbal IQ of 70 and above\". Your son qualifies. Just a fyi thingy. I share your husband's view on the screening part. That was/is still my foremost thought. If I am too lazy on June 2, heck it. LoL

There are not many schools with Allied Educators. My son is going to St Andrews. Yours? Our sons could be classmates!

Good job on the spelling! I am blasè on the chinese spelling. Can do, fine. Can't do, no skin off my back - just flash out his exemption letter. He is still in Berries because his mom wants it. I added I-Can-Read because I want it. We put him in CMA Abacus because we both want it. Our children are our dolls. We mess with them whatever way we want it. LoL. His mom wants to add in art classes. I need to find time (and energy) to make that happen. This boy can draw! Anyone with recommendations to art classes?

I wouldn't worry about comprehension. That's way above P1 level. I'd figure the cleaning poop part towards the end of this year. He has no problems wearing his uniform and getting on the school bus alone. He does that now.

The Allied Educators I spoke with are welcoming. Didn't give me the impression they were selective. Apprehension maybe, for yours. Who wouldn't be? Hahaha.

Well done on the swimming!! 2 years?! Wow. You are patient! That's something I always wanted. Problem is with me, not him. Too lazy to teach. He just jumps in the adult pool without care or fear. Too well trained by his EIPIC to like water. Scares the shxt out of me sometimes. What if no adults are around? My P3 boy just got independent swimming in the adult pool alone. I think my breed takes a longer time to figure this part out.