All About Autism

[specialboymum]

Hi,


For those of you with kids who have delay speech development and are studying in mainstream, how do you guide them to prepare for oral tests and practice?

My boy’s teachers told us that they are rather concern about his weakness in language and speech, since nowadays, the curriculum include lots of presentation (show and tell). Of course, I have the option to apply for exemption from oral tests, but I don’t want to do that yet without trying

[specialboymum]

I think going to a special school where the curriculum and class size is tailor to our kids need, will enable them to learn better. However, my concern is if we put him in special school, are we confining his social circle to ASD community only? He will eventually need to face the outside world of NT, as much as we hope the NT will empathize and accept our kids, I think our kids must also learn to interact with the rest of the world who doesn’t think like them. How else can we do that other than putting him in the environment where he is forced to learn like NT?


It has been 6 months since my boy started primary 1. It is still not easy for him as he is still blur, not paying attention in class and his delayed language doesn’t help him in term of socializing, but we try to manage our expectation lor. In fact, we start with zero expectation, and we cheers for him with every improvement he made (he felt good and we felt happy too)

So far, my boy’s classmates are still reasonably kind to him. At the start of the school year, he did irritate them and some went to complain to their teacher. I gave his teacher the approval to be open about his condition to his classmates. I don’t know how much the kids understand about autism, but they appeared to be more receptive to him. A couple of ‘big brother’ type kids also volunteered to look out for him. We also need to be in constant contact with the school AED, to check on his progress and any issues we need to address by his various therapists, and also make sure there is no bullying issues.

[mashy]

Specialboymum


My son has gone thru 1 eng and 1 Chinese show and tell. We just practiced and practiced. We got the script ready way before hand. For eng, he’s better at it so we got him to write down most of the sentences. We wrote the Chinese script ourselves and modified it as it goes along. We also did a chart with pics so he could remember better. He got full marks for both show and tell.

[nugget]

Specialboymum,


Can I ask that now your boy is already in P1, does he still go for any therapy sessions?

My SLT now tells me to delay my son P1 enrollment another 2 years. Omg, I seriously dun feel like doing that. I feel he has really improved a lot.

[specialboymum]

Thanks Mashy for the tips. I will try with script and pictures.

I did made him memorize his script, but his teacher said he sort of ‘froze’ when he was asked to stand in front of the class and forgot what he needs to say.

Hi Nugget,

Yes he still go for ST and OT. We just pack all his classes over the weekends.

His therapists also advised us to delay his primary 1, but we weren’t keen for him to repeat K2 as we think it won’t help in his progression. Wanted to try the preparatory track in Pathlight, but got some hiccup during application (KKH forgotten to include document proof of his ASD diagnosis when they submit application for us). He was due for primary 1 registration already so we decided not to wait for Pathlight.

[nugget]

Specialboymum,


Can I ask again your OT and SLT session are private ones? One stop shop kind?
My boy next term will be attending 2 sessions of pte ST (one group and one individual) on top of his EIPIC.

Really cost us a bomb. I wonder if KKH will help us after they have gone P1. Cos if go P1, then no more EIPIC for them right?

[nugget]

specialboymum:

Thanks Mashy for the tips. I will try with script and pictures.

I did made him memorize his script, but his teacher said he sort of 'froze' when he was asked to stand in front of the class and forgot what he needs to say.

Hi Nugget,

Yes he still go for ST and OT. We just pack all his classes over the weekends.

His therapists also advised us to delay his primary 1, but we weren't keen for him to repeat K2 as we think it won't help in his progression. Wanted to try the preparatory track in Pathlight, but got some hiccup during application (KKH forgotten to include document proof of his ASD diagnosis when they submit application for us). He was due for primary 1 registration already so we decided not to wait for Pathlight.

The show and tell is so stress. Last time our time where got such things. I think I will also freeze if my teacher ask me to show and tell. Lately I am quite stress esp when the SLT ask me to delay him 1-2 years. 2 years, isn't it a bit too long? imagine he go P1 only at 8 years old? Very bad for his self esteem.

[mayjoel]

My son has speech delay, and affected his academic. He still can’t hold a proper conversation. I felt he should take a step back as mainstream will only get tougher. His classmates also felt he’s different, so kind of dont like him. Because of this, he started to push them when he hate the treatment from them, then the SNO will sms me and complain. Very stressful for us too.


I also go for private ST, they are much better & commited than the SLTs in KK or NUH. U pay more, u get better focus, that’s all I can say.

I also went for NUH OT which is heading no where, I might have to sent him to private OT too. All these therapies costs us alot!!!

[specialboymum]

Nugget, I did not send my boy to epic- the waiting time was too long so we let him go for private classes, yes, it costs a bomb but what to do, we just want to do our best to give whatever we can to help him.


My boy attended individual classes for SLT until mid of last year when we realized he couldn’t progress further: he was stuck at simple commenting (no comment on comment) and he also couldn’t figure out WH questions, so we move him on to group based SLT at Leo Megan. The group setting does help in his language development. For OT, he is still doing individual. He goes to different centres for OT and SLT

[nugget]

mayjoel,


Your kid now in P1 too? Do you tell the teachers about his condition? Are they supportive? I feel both parents and teachers must work hand in hand to make progress.

Ya those therapies are all so ex. Sigh but like you say, must help them if we are able too. Esp that they are now still young.