All About Autism

[BB3]

Thanks to all for your input; still not happy with the way that business owner is handling it mainly because they need to ‘ask for approval’ from other parents. I have since found another studio that has a SN trained coach (and cheaper too!) so will try out with this other studio instead.

[Liyuan]

Often when i have to go into a school setting for any school observations or shadowing, i will always ask for the classroom rules. Also i will always check with school if they are comfortable with my behavioral management strategy. Eg. giving of edibles and also where should i bring the child to if he or she needs to cool down. I will always ask these questions as i understand that they have other parents, shareholders, partners and the public to answer to.


I also know that some school will inform the parents that there will be an outsider that is coming in for school observation or shadowing. I am supportive of that and felt that they do have a right to know who is teaching, interacting and even present in the classroom of their child.

Liyuan
AutismSTEP
http://www.autismstep.com

[Liyuan]

ImMeeMee:

Nebbermind:

Can ASD be cured?


I got curious and came upon this interesting article on top of the search. Kinda make a lot of sense to me. May not be new to some of you but nevertheless...
[quote]TODAY MOST PEOPLE BELIEVE that Autism is a genetic brain disorder. I’m here to tell you that this isn’t true. The real reason we are seeing increasing rates of autism is simply this: Autism is a systemic body disorder that affects the brain. A toxic environment triggers certain genes in people susceptible to this condition. And research supports this position.

http://drhyman.com/blog/2010/05/12/can-autism-be-cured/#close

The medical fraternity works on clinical evidence, and it does not recognize that ASD has a cure, since it is not evidence-based yet.

But given that the subject is somewhat grey, and 'cure' and the like takes on different meanings for different individuals, this is subject to interpretation.

For myself, I have long stopped thinking about 'cure'. I think about 'progress'.[/quote]I very much agree with you

Medically at this point, we cannot pin point that one cause for autism, neither do we know the cure. But researches have shown that some methods and interventions have help the people with autism to improve. Many of the parents that i have met are very dejected that their child has not been able to grow out of autism. I always encourage them to look back to where we started off and where is the kid now. By looking back at the starting line, it may give you more motivation to work towards the finishing line.

Best Regards,
Liyuan
AutismSTEP
http://www.autismstep.com

[Couragemom]

Hi BB3,


Glad you found a better solution in the end for your son. I am of the same viewpoint as you that our darling’s condition should be on a need-to-know basis and there is a need to get other parents’ understanding and concession only if some behavioral issues that surface during lesson time. My daughter attends art lesson at an art centre nearby and she has this 13 years old boy classmate who attends the same timing as her. He talks and laughs loudly to himself, always carry a package of cold drink into class (but never drinks) but other than that, he is ok. My daughter is abit fearful of him initially so I requested the art teacher not to sit her beside him but after awhile it is ok.

[Couragemom]

Hi Pinkamoon,


‘imagine what the children go back to tell their parents. The stories children paint may not be true reflections of what happen during class and can be biased’

You actually raise a very valid point. My son became such a ‘victim’ in school - his girl classmate complained to her mother that a few of her classmates (my son being 1 of them) beat her in school!!! Can you imagine what a strong accusation it is!!! Luckily his class teacher told me that the ‘beating’ the little girl referred to was just an accidental bump when he was taking out his shoes after outdoor play. I was like phew!!! Heng someone saw the incident or else my son will be accused for nothing.

[pinkamoon]

Hi Couragemum,

Same experience. My son was accused of starting a fight at a the playroom of big furniture store. I was there looking and saw another child throwing balls at him and chasing after him. My boy tried to escape and shouted, \"Don't chase me!\" When he finally retaliated, the boy cried and my son was labelled a naughty boy. I witnessed the whole thing and was standing infront of the staff who was telling all the parents how naughty my boy was.

Our children cannot defend themselves and speak up for themselves, so they are at the losing end.


Thanks for your encouragement, nebbermind.

[Double E]

pinkamoon:

Hi Couragemum,

Same experience. My son was accused of starting a fight at a the playroom of big furniture store. I was there looking and saw another child throwing balls at him and chasing after him. My boy tried to escape and shouted, \"Don't chase me!\" When he finally retaliated, the boy cried and my son was labelled a naughty boy. I witnessed the whole thing and was standing infront of the staff who was telling all the parents how naughty my boy was.

Our children cannot defend themselves and speak up for themselves, so they are at the losing end.


Thanks for your encouragement, nebbermind.

Pinkamon
did you then attempt to tell the staff that it is not the case as you had witnessed the whole episode? I would if anyone maligns my son and accused him of doing things that he did not.

I am thankful that now my boy will come to me and complain if his sister takes his toys or hit him. But he will also overdo it, such that when we are in a crowded train, if anyone accidentally steps on his feet, he will tell me loudly \"mummy, the uncle step on me!. He must say sorry!\" can you imagine how embarrassed I am when he said it out loudly in a crowded train? I guess while is good that he can tell us what happen, I am also having difficulty teaching him when is it appropriate for him to complain and when it is not.

[pinkamoon]

Hi DoubleE, as a mother, my motherly instinct was to speak up for him and protect him. I told the staff it was alright for children to play and fight but not alright for not finding out the truth and complaining about my child in front of other parents. I only spoke up when she picked up the phone to call me (was standing in front of her).


Anyway, to me, what is important is to teach my son well, and teach him about ‘complaining’. He will say ‘ouch’ loudly and tell the other party to say sorry to him. He is not the sort who will complain to me, so in this way, he is at the losing end.

Your son is so cute. At least he knows how to complain and you dont have to worry about him being bullied. Cool!

[ImMeeMee]

I maintain 3 parents' chatgroups for my three girls in their classes. Mainly for info exchange, news, and additionally for my ASD doter's parent group, encouragement, moral support and sometimes ranting.


Its the time of the year where school results are released and everyone is discussing about what's going to happen next year. On this end my elder gals chatgroups are discussing about posting to top classes, E2K, NSW, GEP. On that end parents are discussing about struggles with syllabus, behavioral issues that pull down academic achievements, and things like whether to retain at current level or progress to the next.

I can't help feeling somewhat overwhelmed by this stark contrast. Its like i am yo yo ing from one end to the other and that emotional roller coaster ride perturbs me. Feeling a little lost and out of peace with myself. Somehow it also makes me feel even more protective towards my little one.

I know i should be ok after a nights sleep. Just some pensive thoughts on a quiet night during this time of the year.

:sad:

[sharonkhoo]

ImMeeMee:

I maintain 3 parents' chatgroups for my three girls in their classes. Mainly for info exchange, news, and additionally for my ASD doter's parent group, encouragement, moral support and sometimes ranting.


Its the time of the year where school results are released and everyone is discussing about what's going to happen next year. On this end my elder gals chatgroups are discussing about posting to top classes, E2K, NSW, GEP. On that end parents are discussing about struggles with syllabus, behavioral issues that pull down academic achievements, and things like whether to retain at current level or progress to the next.

I can't help feeling somewhat overwhelmed by this stark contrast. Its like i am yo yo ing from one end to the other and that emotional roller coaster ride perturbs me. Feeling a little lost and out of peace with myself. Somehow it also makes me feel even more protective towards my little one.

I know i should be ok after a nights sleep. Just some pensive thoughts on a quiet night during this time of the year.

:sad:

I know what you mean. I don't think the sting ever really goes away, but it gets familiar after a while, if you know what I mean. My older girl has just scraped through enough exams to be promoted, and we are relieved as it was not a certainty. The other one has got a near-perfect GPA in one of the 'top' schools without pushing from us and no tuition or any other external 'push', and is very involved in CCA on top of that. Your ASD girl is very young, and so you do need to be more protective; mine is 17yo and I am still trying to figure out how much to push and how much to let go. As I said, we've got used to the feeling, and it isn't going to go away.