All About Autism

[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.

[schweppes]

kellyang:

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,

You're doing the best of your availability to prepare your son for P1. :ugogirl:

Most importantly, manage your expectations and pace yourself and the child. In other words, don't rush them. Every child is different and I truly believe that at their own time and pace, the child will blossom and excel. I've seen that in dd1 as well. There are moments when everything seems so dark and depressed, and then suddenly, there is this big leap forward of progress. That spurt of improvement gives us hope. Hang on to that hope and believe, truly believe that they will heal.

[schweppes]

trijoy:

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

Doubt that u are a \"lazy\" mom, trijoy. If u are, u wd not be in this forum seeking answers on how to help your child heal and improve. So cannot say that u are lazy hor :spank: More likely to be tired - physically, emotionally and spiritually. And sometimes when our mood is down, we just don't feel like doing anything.

Still, I know what u mean when u ask if u are a \"lazy mom\". Sometimes I wonder that too, whether I'm doing enuf for my child. But deep down, I know I am not. I'm doing what I can to the best of my ability to help her. I think we are all trying to cope the best we can. :hugs:

[schweppes]

trijoy:

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

Hmmmm... let me think what did i do with my dd when she was between 4-6yo

Sent her for ballet class. It wasn't for grading purpose but to get her to enjoy dance and music. At the same time, it was also learning about visual spatial awareness and coordination. However, do find out more about the teacher. DD1 was enjoying dance until there was a change in teacher. Horrible lady. Shouted at the kids and the music she played was overly loud. Hurts dd1's ears and she cried in most classes. After that I pulled her out at 6yo

Pottery clay - sent her to Clay Cove. The founders, Mag and Moni are wonderful people. Both my dds enjoy mushing around with the clay. As I did not have time for weekly lessons, I wd sign my girls up for their holiday progs. Till now - 10 yrs later - they still have fond memories of Clay Cove. Keeps badgering me to send them back. haha...

Swimming - helps to strengthen their muscles. Again, the intention is not for competitive swimming or go for grading. It's more for survival skills and I saw it as OT in water

I wd also bring my girls for those plays for kids - esp those organised by Act 3 as they were age appropriate and quite affordable too. Sometimes I look out for free plays. The idea is to \"normalise\" their lives as much as possible. So that when the grow up and become more aware, they wd have good memories of a happy childhood, rather than one that is filled with OT, SLT and other therapies.

On a more personal note, where resources are a constraint (there is so much time and money I have), I pace the activities and therapies. So that it's not too much for the child and yourself. The child wont feel as if they are over-loaded with activities and sensory stimulation. And for us, we won't feel financially burdened and stretched for time. Can be physically tiring rushing from place to place

[schweppes]

actually other activities for pre-schoolers can include bringing them to the zoo, birdpark, parks (for the bigger parks - West Coast Park, Pasir Ris) or any other smaller housing estate parks or playgrounds, beach, library.


The aim is to expose them to different environment, stimulate their sensory (but careful NOT to over stimulate) and balance their nervous system.

[ImMeeMee]

schweppes:

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.

agree, I have been trying to find autos where one can learn about personal struggles and pain, I guess as a form of self-healing and self-coping mechanism for myself.

have bought Jodi Picoult's book on aspergers, but not read it yet. maybe will not try Curious if it is fiction.

will try to find the book from Catherine Maurice. thanks for recommendations.

today while we were getting out of the car, my dd3 pointed to the car and said without any prompting, 'mama, car' in near-perfect articulation.

to think that she was non-verbal last June. the joy on her achievement is unspeakable.

just want to share this as an encouragement to all parents of autistic and special needs children, including myself. there is light at the end of the tunnel.

[trijoy]

Hi schweppes,


Thanks, feel better now..... was feeling sad & down last few days. Good idea, will bring him to Pasir Ris Park (just heard from the OT therapist too). I was thinking of sending him for NT activities too but wonder will he get cranky and whiny and refuses to stay in the room etc....... your dotter is very compliance

[schweppes]

trijoy:

Hi schweppes,


Thanks, feel better now..... was feeling sad & down last few days.

Here's a BIG BIG :hugs: for u

trijoy:

Good idea, will bring him to Pasir Ris Park (just heard from the OT therapist too). I was thinking of sending him for NT activities too but wonder will he get cranky and whiny and refuses to stay in the room etc....... your dotter is very compliance

Er... my daughter compliant when young?! Er.... hardly

Actually, I go thru similar struggles and challenges when she was younger. It was very tough back then and she had her fair share of meltdowns and temper tantrums Which makes that me too as well. Very tough for the whole family. Guess, sometimes I try not to think too much about it now as I want to bury the past behind.

But as she grows older, somehow she became more integrated and she's improved so much. She's come a long long way. And so have I. Whatever it is and no matter how tough some days are, it's ok to be \"down\" for a while. But must remember to pick ourselves up and believe and hope that it will get better. And it will. Always look forward to the light at the end of the tunnel