PCF/PAP Kindergartens

[WaWa]

sophie80:

By saying special kids i mean 自闭症儿童 as i dont know how to say it in english. Any special kids other than 自闭症儿童 is not within the scope of our discussion. Sorry abt the confusion.


Thanks,

自闭症儿童 = Autistic in English. Autism/Autistic has appeared few times in others' response so please do not conveniently say you do not know how to say it in English. Please make an effort to google & know more about autism. It is really not so scary after learning more about the condition.

BTW, my special needs child is Autistic. He doesn't display \"BAD\" behavior that often except maybe when he melts down. When he melts-down, it is always due to some \"anxiety attack\" or \"there is a change in daily structure that he cannot accept\". Like I said in my earlier post, he displays good manners when he readily greets the seniors and this is an exemplary conduct (lacking in many normal children; including my (other; normal) son).

Since you only want to talk about Autism, generally, Autistic kids do not \"attack\" people, unless
1. they have underlying ADHD condition manifesting within ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) ; &/or
2. they have been provoked

My son attends a special school. I have seen all the rest of the Autistic kids in his school and none are as disruptive as you had described. Yes they cry (meltdown) but they don't \"attack\" one another. Due to their lack of \"spatial awareness\", they may push & shove & they may even lean against your body but hey, normal kids push & shove too! Normal kids may grow up slashing one another too hence normal kids \"attack\" too! I guess my point is \"it takes all sorts of people to make up this world\".

Although I disagree with your views, I respect that we are entitled our own views. I just feel that your views stem from the lack of understanding of Autism to begin with. At this point, if I could be granted my wish, I implore you to read up more about the condition so you can gain a better understanding of the condition & can assist to explain to your daughter what the condition is about. It is really not that scary.

And of course, thanks for raising this, for it reminds us, the parents of Autistic children & also the relevant authority, that we have a lot of work to do to help \"educate\" members of the public who are clueless about Autism & who would rather choose to remain clueless; there's certainly a need to help generate greater awareness amongst the clueless.

May the Force be with us. Bless us; Bless the people.

[SpecialNeeds]

\"The colours of the rainbow so pretty in the sky...\"


http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=204418249575774&oid=307944595086&comments

[manjaNurse]

Hi all,


Sophie80 and d rest, if PCF is willing to open branches for special needs all over Singapore, I will be the first to jump for joy.

Maybe me and other parents are too "selfish" that we never ever bother to look for a special needs class for our kids? Maybe we are too "selfish" to even bother to BEG the government to do something - lesser waiting time to subsidised classes or cheaper classes?

No matter where u run, even to the end of the world, you will meet at least one special need person.

I have 3 kids and the youngest has autism. So before I experienced parenting an autistic child, I have dealt with "normal" kids. And I have never ever thought of "running" away or thought of teaching my kids to "stay" away from the "not-normal" people.

Sophie80, you want to stop the discussion, but the problem remains. And you are not the only one who has this mindset. As a mother, I wished I can shelter my kid from the likes of you. I want to run and bring him with me. I want to beg all Singaporeans to change their selfish mindsets.

But all these are impossible. Maybe we, parents of the autistics, should just accept the fact that our children are "bad".

I wonder if we can publish this discussion to the press. Any idea anyone?

[trijoy]

I am also a mother of a 4yo asd boy, he is not in those mainstream kindergartens at this moment, I am grateful that my this special boy has taught me and my kids how to love and be tolerate of other kids ...... this is something that I will never learn if I just have NT kids btw Well Done Power point ! Love It !

[mommy2two]

well said, WaWa and ManjaNurse.

only those who have experienced raising a special needs child will know how special they actually are.
remember that every child is God’s gift and a blessing to the family that receives them, whether they are NORMAL or SPECIAL.

PEACE!

[ChiefKiasu]

When people believe that there are only 2 possible solutions to any problem, or 2 possible views to any argument, there can be no constructive discussions that can satisfactorily solve the issues. Most people ignore the possibility of the 3rd viewpoint, which is to get out of the box and so that we can look at the problem from both sides of the argument in order to remain rational and look for ways of addressing concerns of both both sides.


It is unfair for anyone to label parents as being discriminatory to special needs children by virtue of their concerns over the safety of their own children. Nor is it right for anyone to discriminate against special needs children and deny them the opportunity to interact with other children. After all, both sides share the same fundamental concern over the welfare of their children.

The posts that explain the behavior of special needs children are very informational and help to educate other parents. I am thankful for all those that took the time to post such information. And if the purpose is to educate other parents, we must also accept that education should not be measured by how it is able to change opinions, but whether the audience has actually listened and internalized your words. I would be happy if people actually read and understood what I write. I don’t hope for my words to actually change people’s lives.

I thought jkcy has brought out an excellent point. The question should really be on whether parents should tolerate a child that often exhibits poor behavior in class, regardless of whether the child is special-needs or not. In my humble opinion, it all depends on the ability of the institution to manage the situation. Institutions or educators who are incapable of handling such children will have to take action to protect other children, while those who can find ways to effectively manage the child in their learning environment should be lauded and respected for their competency, because the diversity of members of the class will bring rich learning opportunities for our children who will be facing a complex and globalized world in the future. It is no longer the "strongest will survive". It is the one who is able to understand how to build and motivate networks of people with different cultures, skills and talents and exploit diversity that will ultimately win the race.

[smurf]

Wow chief,


Nothing to say but this :udaman:

[Kabby]

smurf:

Wow chief,


Nothing to say but this :udaman:

I second that! Been following the discussion and reading the powerpoint slides and different viewpoints, but still thinking and sitting on them, wondering if should come out and say something too.

But, wow! Thanks, chief!

:udaman:

[buds]

ChiefKiasu:

It is no longer the \"strongest will survive\". It is the one who is able to understand how to build and motivate networks of people with different cultures, skills and talents and exploit diversity that will ultimately win the race.

:goodpost:

[autumn82]

Hi there,


anyone knows the standard of the PCFs in Bishan? Around street 22/23/24???