All About Autism

[Audvis]

Hi,

My son has high functioning ASD and is verbal. But he seems to have problems sequencing his thoughts and doing open ended tasks, eg describe a scene. I am concerned that he may hv issue with reading compre and essay writing later on. Would like to check if other parents send their verbal ASD kids for language therapy? What do they learn from such therapy? Thanks.

[Audvis]

Also, is there any therapist who can teach ASD kids reading compre and essay writing? Thanks.

[Lavina]

Hi Audvis,

I sent my son to Planet Learning Centre when he was young. You can google them for details.
Comprehension is tough for my child. I remember my surprise when he said he didn't know why the gingerbreadman was running away from everyone.
For picture compo, I used to cut up the 4 pictures and let him arrange them in sequence. Or I print each compo sentence separately and let him rearrange them in sequence.
HTH

[pingsped]

The approach used will depend on the child’s current language and cognitive skills. I like to draw smileys for some children.


eg red riding hood

Once upon a time in the middle of a thick forest stood a small cottage, the home of a pretty little girl known to everyone as Little Red Riding Hood. One day, her Mummy waved her goodbye at the garden gate, saying: "Grandma is ill. (sick face) Take her this basket of cakes, but be very careful. (mummy face - worried/serious) Keep to the path through the wood and don’t ever stop. That way, you will come to no harm."

Little Red Riding Hood kissed her mother and ran off. "Don’t worry," she said, "I’ll run all the way to Grandma’s without stopping." (eager face)

Full of good intentions, the little girl made her way through the wood, but she was soon to forget her mother’s wise words. "What lovely strawberries! And so red." (excited face - eyes popping)

(BTW the story of Little Red Riding Hood is often used to teach stranger danger. We get the children act it out & make sounds/silly actions.)

It would be helpful if the child has already been taught how to understand and relate to adult feelings (e.g. parent, teacher, sibling, friend)

[Audvis]

Hi lavina and pingsped

Thanks for yr replies!

[mashy]

My son is going for the psychological test. May I know what to expect?

[ImMeeMee]

mashy:

My son is going for the psychological test. May I know what to expect?

we did ours with a private psychologist when my dd was 3 yo.

she interviewed the parents on the child's daily life activities and behaviour and recorded results on a checklist. she did some games and activities with the child and recorded results on a checklist.

so I felt the test itself was quite alright.

the rough part was when we went for the results of the psychological test, and when the psychologist confirmed the diagnosis in our face. that was when i broke down right in front of her, as the emotions could not be contained though I worked very hard to prepare myself mentally.

that was my experience. just sharing what to expect for the potential emotional ups and downs, whatever the results of the test may be.

all the best on your test, sincerely.

[anewme]

Brain Gym, generally, can help all children. How beneficial it is - depends on each child. Bridging Talents has classes for BrainGym, conducted by Ms Tan Li-Anne.


Nana Loo:
For list of early intervention centres, check out Centre for Enabled Living website. Personally, I think if your child is of mild autism, u may try ARC. Nowadays, many presch accept children wif autism. Better to get one which has low teacher to student ratio. Most important is parental involvement in the child learning journey esp. in his early years. Ask teacher what u can teach him at home, to reinforce whatever he had learnt in sch.

[Kukana]

Hi, Anyone can recommend a home tuition or group tuition (west area) for autistic child in primary 4? How much is the fee?

[mashy]

Hi!

Went for the psychology test yesterday and my ds is diagnosed with high functioning autism. Because he is pleasant and easy going, plus above average IQ, the psychologist thinks he can go mainstream school. He is starting P1 next yr. I have given my consent for them to contact the school.

May I know by letting the (MOE) know, how will it affect his future? Friends have been telling me about how it will leave a record etc. But how will it affect him? Will it be more difficult for him to enroll in schs after pri sch? Will they put a mark on his leaving cert? Will it affect him if he should apply for scholarships or apply for jobs in future?