All About Autism

[hope05]

pingsped:

kellyang:

Hi there


My DS is attending P1 next year and i am trying to find out more information abt AED in mainstream school.

i am planning to enroll my DS in Red Swastika School cos DH is in the alumni.

At the same time, i am looking ard for other schools with great support for AED kids.

Appreciate any advise out there.

Thks & rgds,

Things are probably going to be better in 2 years' time.

I've worked with AEDs/counsellors from 5 different schools in last 2 years. 4 ASDs and 1 dyslexia/dyspraxic. The AEDs are fresh from the oven; some parents may be more knowledgeable than them.

I would say first, go for a school principal who's not that interested in grades. He's likely to give \"more chance\" and tests/exams are usually manageable. Unless your child is gifted or has Asperger syndrome, you may have to struggle with both behv/social skills and academics in a rankings-focussed school. These schools usually give more homework and remedial lessons, leaving limited time for therapies.

Most AEDs pay more attention to milder cases (kids who can relate to them) and most severe cases. The former group is easier to manage and the latter group can't be ignored due to complaints. The rest may not receive any attention or lesson.

To be a good AED requires a lot of maneuvering and very good people skills as he/she has to work with teachers. An ex-teacher will be a sure bet. Most fresh grads can't teach well yet and do not know how to approach their colleagues. (This is how I see the job function.) A lot of teachers and AEDs have the mindset that ASD kids will do better in Pathlight School.

There is a change of principals every 5 years. So you should ask around during your child's K2 year.

My advice is to stick with some form of social skills therapy at least for the first few years if you want to see good results.

All the best

Hi

Thanks for yr advise. My DS has been doing OT, ST and social skills group for a quite some time and i am trying my best to get him ready for P1 next year..

Thks & rgds,

[trijoy]

Hi pingsped,


Thanks, I have to work harder with him, I am a lazy mom

Hi schweppes,

My son is 4yo this year, right now he is having ABA at home, 3x a week at AAS, ST, havent started OT but soon, he is having GFCF diet and biomedical too......... ok, I have never thot of doing those NT fun stuff with my boy..... will look into this area, Thanks so much

[pingsped]

trijoy:

Hi pingsped,


Thanks, I have to work harder with him, I am a lazy mom

Hi schweppes,

My son is 4yo this year, right now he is having ABA at home, 3x a week at AAS, ST, havent started OT but soon, he is having GFCF diet and biomedical too......... ok, I have never thot of doing those NT fun stuff with my boy..... will look into this area, Thanks so much

I think lots of parents feel clueless or even helpless, not lazy.

For ideas, I've just posted an outline for social skills lesson - birthday.

http://pingsped.wordpress.com/2011/02/08/social-skills-birthday-scripts-approx-k2/

If u need more ideas, just post or PM. Pls be specific though.

[hope05]

pingsped:

trijoy:

Hi pingsped,


Thanks, I have to work harder with him, I am a lazy mom

Hi schweppes,

My son is 4yo this year, right now he is having ABA at home, 3x a week at AAS, ST, havent started OT but soon, he is having GFCF diet and biomedical too......... ok, I have never thot of doing those NT fun stuff with my boy..... will look into this area, Thanks so much

I think lots of parents feel clueless or even helpless, not lazy.

For ideas, I've just posted an outline for social skills lesson - birthday.

http://pingsped.wordpress.com/2011/02/08/social-skills-birthday-scripts-approx-k2/

If u need more ideas, just post or PM. Pls be specific though.

Hi pingsped

ya sometimes we as parents feel so helpless.. I just tried to give my son as much interventions as possible and hope for the best but there are times when i feel so down and sad for him...

[RVK]

schweppes:

RVK:

Sorry, may sound silly. But what's DD/ DD3?? i'm new to this forum.

Hi RVK

:welcome: to KSP :rahrah:

DH - dear hubby
DW - dear wife
DS - dear son
DD - dear daughter

dd1 - 1st daughter in the family
dd3 - 3rd daughter in family

ds2 - 2nd son... etc

Thank you thank you

[ImMeeMee]

pingsped:

trijoy:

hmm... it is inspiring that some of kids here can attend mainstream, wonder whether my son will have the chance to go mainstream........

Yes, he can!

As long as he's verbal and able to read, even he's a tad slower, he can take foundation course at P5. He may require support throughout primary school.

IMO, as far as social skills and social integration is concerned, mainstream schools are always preferred to special schools.

I have many clients with tested IQ of 60-80s in mainstream primary school. (Normal range is 85-115 or 90-110). Some even take regular English. Most have to take Foundation Math. They do require more support. That's all.

You must believe in your child

thanks, pingsped. I am inspired by what you have written.

[ImMeeMee]

kellyang:

Hi pingsped

ya sometimes we as parents feel so helpless.. I just tried to give my son as much interventions as possible and hope for the best but there are times when i feel so down and sad for him...

hi kellyang, i know what you mean. for me, the grief will always be there and it strikes sometimes at the least expected moment.

just remember that you are trying your best and focus on the positive achievements that you child has, even small ones.

[trijoy]

hi pingsped,


Thanks

[ImMeeMee]

schweppes:

This was featured in the Today paper (7 Feb 2011)


http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC110207-0000081/What-its-like-to-live-with-autism

Here's the link to her book on Autism, http://www.come-into-my-world.com/

I've not read her book yet but it looks interesting. Good to read first hand accounts of people whose lives are affected ASD.

I bought a copy of her book through online ordering. its quite a simple read that collects accounts of those who are involved in autism in one way or another - parents, siblings, patients themselves.

some of the stories show positive outcome. some of the stories are open-ended, I guess because they are still progressive. some express being hopeful of the future at the end, but somehow seem to convey the message that the outcome so far has not been good.

I have mixed feelings about the book. do read it if you have a chance and let me know your thoughts.

There was another book quoted 'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time' which is about autism. Have you read it?

[schweppes]

ImMeeMee:

I bought a copy of her book through online ordering. its quite a simple read that collects accounts of those who are involved in autism in one way or another - parents, siblings, patients themselves.

some of the stories show positive outcome. some of the stories are open-ended, I guess because they are still progressive. some express being hopeful of the future at the end, but somehow seem to convey the message that the outcome so far has not been good.

I have mixed feelings about the book. do read it if you have a chance and let me know your thoughts.

There was another book quoted 'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time' which is about autism. Have you read it?

Will try and get hold of Brenda Tan's book and share my thoughts thereafter.

Yes, have read the \"Curious Incident\" book and \"House Rules\" by Jodi Piccoult. Sure, it does give an insight into the ASD world but as it's fiction, I read them for entertainment purpose.

When dd1 was diagnosed with asd 10 yrs ago, it devastated me. Back then, autism was almost unheard of, and help, support and interventions were minimal. To understand what asd was about, I devoured books that were autobiographies. Almost all were written by mothers and what interventions they did or how they coped when their child was diagnosed. Reading about their pain, helplessness and struggles helped me to cope with mine; reassuring me somewhat that I'm not alone. It also gave me ideas what to do to help my child too.

The first book that I read was Catherine Maurice, \"Let Me Hear Your Voice\". Not sure if it's available at NLB. Kino carries a good range of books on autism.