All About Autism

[mashy]

Helplessmum

Wonderful! I'm so happy for u. Coz u always sounds negative in your posts, I thought u are still in denial. I sincerely apologize for that.

To be honest, nobody can afford a two hour back to back session unless u are a millionaire or billionaire. Therapy isn't cheap. That's why we have to understand that we go to the therapy sessions not so much as for them to learn, but more for us to learn and pick up skills from the therapists. Then we can be the full time therapist for our kids. And also, becoz u know your kid so well, u will notice things the therapist or other pp don't. For eg, we can understand seemingly gibberish words from our kids. To us it's perfectly understandable. But to others, they don't. That's why u may feel that your son is speaking in sentences, but the therapists may find that it's not clear enough. I am the translator when we go for our sessions because altho my son speaks in sentences, it's not grammatically correct, his ideas are not put across clearly and he assumes common knowledge. He tells the therapist things that he assume she knew eg he had been playing a game and he would talk about it etc. But without knowing the context, the therapist didn't understand what he was saying. So speaking is not just in terms of words. They must be meaningful. Probably she finds that his foundation isn't there and trying to help him with it.

[mashy]

And regarding the requesting for the OT session, u must see it in a stranger’s eyes. Not a mum who knows a slight twitch means requesting. I also know what my son wants before he even opens his mouth. But now, we have to specifically teach him how to make a proper request. If its not clear enough to the therapist, it’s simply not clear enough.

[crabbygal]

Hello there, have been following this thread for quite sometime and found very useful information from all the mummies here. Jiayou!!! I have an autistic boy who is turning 7 years old end this year. Just applied Pathlight and will be bringing him for his interview assessment later today. Am very anxious and hope all goes well.


Have also gone through alot of various therapies for my boy since he was 18 months old. Meltdowns and major temper tantrums in his early years was something I experienced every single day, coupled with several breakdown from me.. hehe... He's diagnosed with mod-severe ASD. Anyway, he has improved much and manageable tantrums occasionally but I am glad that I have embraced his condition early and started early intervention the soonest possible way!

p/s: I was going through his therapy kit and old stuff and found his music therapy headphones and portable cd player and it is such a waste lying there since he has 'graduated' from his music therapy. If any of the mummies or daddies who wants to buy a new one, let me know, I will let it go at a fraction of the cost. PM me..

[helplessmum3]

ImMeeMee:

helplessmum3:

i can firmly say that i did not danail at all.. im seeking help & hopeful my son will get help & improved.

good for you, helplessmum. just want to give you some encouragement cos from your posting I feel you have become more aware and proactive in helping your son ... and you are becoming more cognizant of the condition where its improvement, and not cure.

i used to be angry as well and needed to vent somewhere. I dont know about you but if you are going through the same phase maybe its good to vent and rant rather than to keep it within yourself - just be aware to continue with your actions to help your boy while you manage your emotions.

jia you.

ImMeeMee,

Thanks! i get to more understand after Nugget has help to explain to me in layman way. thanks to her too!

begining is jus confuse & search & low for answers and how to get help. then later, like if you hav no $$ the only place can get help is at KKH and EIPIC but these places really cannot make it . Unless i have alot of $$ i can send my son to private one all therapiest and get faster result.

so no choice, i read net & get help from here, how to handle & how to help. so i work from home , im my son therapist, my hub is my son peer..

[helplessmum3]

mashy:

And regarding the requesting for the OT session, u must see it in a stranger's eyes. Not a mum who knows a slight twitch means requesting. I also know what my son wants before he even opens his mouth. But now, we have to specifically teach him how to make a proper request. If its not clear enough to the therapist, it's simply not clear enough.

Mashy, pls dont apologiest, i fine with all these comments.

my son speak well & very clear. even cashier at ntuc, hawker or shopping mall sales assistant know what my son saying, he is very fluent in his speech. articulate very well too..

i guess. the kkh OT therapist is not experience.. .. she is good person. jus about her skill is not there, cant expect much to help my son much. u see..

[helplessmum3]

crabbygal:

Hello there, have been following this thread for quite sometime and found very useful information from all the mummies here. Jiayou!!! I have an autistic boy who is turning 7 years old end this year. Just applied Pathlight and will be bringing him for his interview assessment later today. Am very anxious and hope all goes well.


Have also gone through alot of various therapies for my boy since he was 18 months old. Meltdowns and major temper tantrums in his early years was something I experienced every single day, coupled with several breakdown from me.. hehe... He's diagnosed with mod-severe ASD. Anyway, he has improved much and manageable tantrums occasionally but I am glad that I have embraced his condition early and started early intervention the soonest possible way!

p/s: I was going through his therapy kit and old stuff and found his music therapy headphones and portable cd player and it is such a waste lying there since he has 'graduated' from his music therapy. If any of the mummies or daddies who wants to buy a new one, let me know, I will let it go at a fraction of the cost. PM me..

What are these? how to use, any website to check, mus go school, isit costly?

[crabbygal]

Hi helplessmum3,


If you are referring to the music therapy, it is actually something my son's OT therapist suggested when he was doing his OT. Last time he was very dysregulated and have alot of meltdowns and full of anxiety. According to therapist, musics helps to regulate, calm the kid down and helps increase focus and attention. My son was on the music therapy for 1 year, I think. He has stopped OT last year now, so no longer need it anymore. I can't tell for sure whether the music therapy is effective or not but I do believe continuous OT and behavioural therapy helps!

If I remember correctly he was on Vital Sounds Music Therapy.. there are others in the market, Samonas I think... Best is to consult your child's OT and see what he or she recommends, each child is different and it's really up to you to decide whether it's suitable for your child. Some kids may not be able to accept music therapy as they are highly sensitive to noise and some accepts it very well and can see results, I was told. It is costly however, with rental of CDs and investing in the equipment. Sigh... Hope the information helps.

http://www.vitalsounds.com/default.aspx
http://www.listening-ears.com/samonas.html

[helplessmum3]

thanks crabbygirl…


i saw one good one at olive tree too. but i m not sure what stuff are u letting go…

my son love music at times he can compose song himself, or create music himself, jus by looking at guitar or piano. he can differeniate sound that come from diff music instrucments, even at tv… if tv have piano music he will say piano. if from guitar he wil say guitar, drum & so on…

[helplessmum3]

OMG,mummies,


I just learn a thing from my colleague, he has a fren who son is autistic…

he duno i hav one la… that y he say… this.

whenver he go to this fren house he so worry his kids be hurt by tat austistic child…his(so hurtful to hear this comments), he say

but now the autistic child is in mainstream primary 2…

[phtthp]

woggles:

Hi everyone, need advice.


My son is born 2006 & was assessed to have developmental delay. His kindy teacher's feel that he's ready for P1 next yr (but of cos with more prep work & pushing). While the psychologist & I are more comfortable with him deferring to P1 in 2014 instead.

Thing is his evaluation is scheduled to take place AFTER July. I've been advised to continue taking part in 2013's P1 registration exercise.
If we do decide to defer my son, would the school spot be held for him for 2014? Can I pay the school fees for 2013 yr to have that spot held?

Thanks v much in advance. We are really in 2 minds about deferring & are worried that he may not obtain a place in 2014, if the spot can't be held. But at same time, he's not ready for P1 & pushing him may backfire..

Many kids may not be ready for P1, but they still go ahead.

If the psychologist feels deferment is the best option, then holding him back for a year is advisable - provided there is a very good Preparatory program available for him, able to prepare him for P1 well. However, if is just merely repeat K2 kindergarten which in your own opinion doesn't help much, then no point.... Just proceed to P1.

regarding school fees and saving a spot issue, that is best solved by calling up the school and talk to the VP (Admin) - who will advise you accordingly if they can / will keep a spot in the foll year, with or without paying. This the fastest & most direct way to receive clarifications to your concern.

Based on special circumstances, a file can be opened for your child noting unusual curcumstances, and a place might be saved. But that really is the school's call. In the event that particular school you choose is very hot & popular, where demand exceeds available vacancies & balloting is required within 1 km radius, normally not possible.

Try to get more information about the school that your child is enlisting to. Need to find out whether the school is very results orientated or they are more holistic in their approach. Are there cases whereby the school allow the student to repeat P1 ?

Parent's concern are definitely very real. We tend to worry because we are 95% not sure / 5% sure. If we spend more time finding out information to address our concern, the 5% certainty will move up by a bigger margin. Hopefully, it can move to 60% to 70% certainty for us to make a clear decision. Hence, time to find out information is critical. You can write to the school and set an appointment with the Principal, to find out more information to make an informed decision.

Seek God for wisdom and discernment. Life is not just about K2 and P1. It's a long journey ahead. God has perfect timing for every child and likewise every parent. To be still and be away from the daily noise, worries & disruption can help. We tend to be bombarded by peer pressure. We tend to worry for a child whom God has absolute control of.

If we place our palm too close to our eyes, we can't see clearly. If we move back our palm, we can see clearly our fingers and hand. Hence, when He gives us a child like that, we also need to look beyond the current situation. See the child fitting into the norm over time. See the child being a testimonial of God over time. See the child beyond his current circumstances. Not being able to cope now doesn't mean he is not being able to cope in future. God is a ever changing God. He can do wonders, right ?

From the read of your posting, I am sure your child is blessed with the right parents. Thank God for such an understanding parent. I am sure in God's perfect love, He will give peace to you on this decision to take.