So very impressed!!!!

Went to a school open house today and i was awed, impressed and determined to send zyon there for his primary studies.

Its a special school catered for children diagnosed with autism. When i arrived at the school this morning, first thought that popped into my head was "wow, zy is going to love it here". Second thought was "omg, zyon IS gonna love it here" . And after walking deeper into the premise, reaching the auditorium, my third thought was "WOW, ZYON IS GOING TO LOVE IT HERE". I cant express that thrill i felt at that moment in words, but every step that i took in that school, just made me feel 'oh-so-right'. Every step i made makes my eyes well p in tears. YES, THIS IS THE PLACE I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR. The place i had pictured in my mind ever since i tried walking into the world of autism, my son's world.  I just didnt know that such a place REALLY exists!!!!!! Now that i've found it, i dont wanna lose any chance and miss it.

The environment is clean, bright and airy, everything is handled in a great order, the classrooms are filled with information and routines, each student is being cared for by their personality and kept in track according to their likes and acceptance of their daily activities that we take for granted. In short, this is a place of acceptance, help and respect. Their curriculum consists of social and life skills, and not to forget of cos the usual subjects.

They take note of every single small details that even we as main caregivers of our child miss!  If like me you have a child with autism im sure u know the kind of dedication n devotion we have for our child and yet it never occured to me that such small details like the different water taps you see in malls and public places would be quite a problem! Or maybe its jusﹰt me?? Im guilty.

They have a huge library , gym and hall for PE. Bakery, com lab, science lab... etc. Its just perfect.

God, pls let me get a spot for my baby!!!! Will update more!!!

A little info for sharing !#^_^

Watch "Essentials for Educators: High Functioning Autism & Asperger Syndrome" on YouTube

Progress n updates

Its been a while and zyon's been growing up day by day...

I've been really busy hence the delay in updating on zyon's progress. Plus everyone in the family has been taking turns in falling sick, the usual sore throat and runny nose... plah.... Oh and not to mention Chinese New Year just passed!!!! Busy like a bee..... buzzzzzzzz.

okok enough of ranting nonsense just to fill up the space while thinking how im gonna start writing this post hahahah *embarrased*

The good news is, Zyon has been really responsive but towards me the most :p now when i call out to him, i dont have to keep repeating like as though he cant seem to hear me, but he responds immediately. Running to me no matter where he is. Im so happy!!! Its like hey this is one of the things people tend to take for granted. However, lke i said , to me only.... hm....

The bad news is as he grows, i realised he is starting to have routines. Issues like his toy fell to the floor, he'll pick it up, throw it on the floor , pick it up again, throw it down, pick it up, throw it down and pick it up, then moves on with the toy finally in his hands. Or when zonya takes the toy from him, he will take my hand to gesture me to take it back from zonya, and when i got zonya to return him the toy, (which she will) then he takes it from her, return it to her and get my hand to take it from zonya. In other words he wants ME to take it from zonya and pass it back to him...

I have been waiting for Zyon's EIPIC program to start and i have specifically chosen the center where waiting time is a month's time. Thinking its really good that zyon can start early. But its almost 2 months now and nobody has informed me of anything yet. But zyon's school is doing something. HAHA. YEAH THE SCHOOL IS DOING SOMETHING.

Apparently, there is a special needs teacher in his school thats been liaising with him for a while now and she calls me from time to time to let me know about his progress in school. We've been working together rather closely now and the school is as nervous as i am in regards to the start of Zyon's EIPIC program. Finally i am more or less assured that this aint as bad as i thought. School's been quite ok and they've called, wrote and spoke to me. Lets see how it goes from here #^_^ Peace!!!!!!!!

im a super proud mother

hey... havent been updating for the longest time... phew... its been an overwhelming period of time.. ok first let me update on the last appointment in KK Hospital.

We brought zy for the appointment with the Psychologist in the hospital previously. Well, this time round, even though i felt its always "the same routine" , i kindda like the psychologist. Okok maybe becos she seemed so sincere and nice :)  When we arrived, she was so bubbly and fresh , calling out to zyon. I liked that. Probably because im so sick of professionals looking at my son like he is a "thing". An object. But this psychologist, shes nice.
When we started the session, she asked me questions that i think just KK alone, i have repeated like at least 6 times... even though on the file it already stated EVERYTHING (stare blankly). Anyways, she then started to play with zyon according to the system called..... hm.... ok i forgot what its called but its a series of toys and levels to see how he fares. She told me to just sit there and when im needed she will let me know. So i thought ... ok. I then kept very quiet and sat there watching them like a nosey stranger.

After her 1 hr session with zyon alone, she scribbled notes on her paper and told me to get zyon to do this and that. Zy cooperated nicely... *tink tink* hahaha then she started explaining to me what is her overall diagnosis.

She diagnosed my little baby boy " Classic Autism " - High functioning.

sigh.................

The reason for my sighing was because when it all started, i was hoping it isnt autism that im facing. But it turned out yes. Then i was hoping it would not be classic... turns out...... sigh........

However, she added that she was very optimistic about zy, because he listens to instructions. When she told zy to keep the toys, he did what he was told to do. So i told her that zy understands instructions given. And the best part was zy actually returned all the toys to her when he was told to!! even i was surprised!!!! He did really well. I then told her, "i read that children with Autism are very focused on certain things hence they will be able to excel in that area, m still trying to figure out what is zyon's strength, what can i do to help him?"
She looked at me with a surprised facial expression, then answered, "his strength is being able to understand everything! Children with Autism usually are not able to do that but for zyon, the reason why im so optimistic is because he is able to understand everything!"

I was shocked.

WOW.

At that moment, i felt so proud of my little boy. Its not that im not proud of him before knowing this, but im extra extra proud when i heard those words coming out from a professional psychologist!!  But i felt a little sad after fully digesting it. Because it would have meant that zyon had undergone a certain amount of pressure to be able to achieve this and it must have felt bad... although im always there, but as humans we all have moments of loneliness... but we are capable of expressing and talking to friends or family to make us feel better. For zyon, its hard for him to express and he is non verbal yet.... it must have been really hard on him...

Anyways, after that appointment, we went for the last appointment in terms of his diagnosis.  The doctor told me again what the psychologist said and explained in a more detailed manner. Then i asked her about school.

"Can u tell me after all these years of seeing so many children diagnosed wth Autism, what are the chances of zyon going to a mainstream school?" i was so nervous when i asked her this that i felt like puking.

"hm....... i guess you will have to consider pathlight or eden. To be able to go to a mainstream school, im looking at 10%. "

*sigh* Thank goodness i already checked out these 2 schools 2 months ago and already jotted down their opening house date in my schedule book... Thats y mental preparation is very important!!!! Thank goodness im not ignorant. haha

Well, even though the chances of zy not being able to attend a mainstream school is high, but im not sad. So long as he is happy and healthy, really, i have no more complains. Special school would be much better because basically im not looking at As and acedemic results from zy... just so long he makes friends and interact with other people, im happy. Mainstream schools would be too pressurizing for my baby. I rather not. So, see it aint such a bad thing after all. :)

I must say zyon taught me alot of things about life. Good and bad. Im so so proud of my little boy. I really wanna thank god for giving me my precious son.

"Zyzy.... mommy will be by u and love you for the rest of my life. Lets hold hands and walk side by side until you find your partner in life to continue that journey with you...  i love you..."

Family support is very important

You know when you meet with problems be it big or small, your family should be there To support u, but the sad fact turns out to be No. I have been staying with my,mother since i moved back n she has no idea what autism is all about. This i dont blame her. I will provide the information if need be becos most of the time i dont think she accepts the phase of "acceptance".

She disagrees on my decision of sending zy for certain therapies and thinks im making a mountain out of a hole. To her, zy isnt all that bad, which i agree in certain aspects, and as long as we think he doesnt have a problem, he will not have a prOblem. this i cannot agree.  By ignoring zy's condition is not going to make it go away n zy get cured miraculously. I then went for workshops and each time i came home feeling full of hopes, she would then make snide comments or think that its completely useless... am so fed up with her on this issue. She thinks that im living in my own world and not listening to other's opinions. In other words, her opinion. She thinks by sending zy to her religious teacher, he will b able to cure him. this i do not agree and suddenly she thinks im the reincarnation of evil. Wtf.

Science n logic is evil??

She kept emphasizing that im living in my own world. Sorry but may  ask who in this world doesnt 'live in their own world' ? The right word to describe is "selfishness".

There is no right nor wrong in life, only different in mentality. Just because she cant accept my way of leading my life n teaching my children, doesnt mean that im living in my own world. It just means that i dont want to live in HER world.

I dont know what the key to happiness is, but the key to misery is defintely pleasing everyone but urself.

Sorry mum, i dont wanna b u.

very disappointed in teachers nowadays...

Hey, its been a while since i last updated.. been really busy lately and whatever time i have left for the day went to my bed.. haha.

ok, just came back from sending zyon to school and i am really upset so i can hold it no longer, i need to  vent it out.

Sending zyon to this kinder was a recommendation from KK Hospital. The doctor mentioned that this school can take in children diagnosed with special needs. Upon hearing this of course this school is my first and only choice!! I remember speaking to the Principal and she saw zyon herself on that day , agreeing that he met her criteria and i was so happy!

School started and its been a week.

So far i must say its too early to tell. However, im very disappointed in his teacher and today, the Principal. I send zyon to school everyday and pick him up everyday too, this will give me the opportunity to talk to zyon and remind him what he is supposed and not supposed to do. Things like "zy you must listen to the teacher and share toys with ur classmates ok, no tantrums needed alright?" Children with special needs especially Autism, they need to be constantly reminded and told so that it gets "programmed" in their mind and slowly it becomes part of their everyday life (im not sure if this works for other people but it sure works for zyon).

Patience is the no.1 key being a teacher. (correct me if im wrong) Be it being with children with special needs or an average normal student!!

On monday, his teacher told me she needed to talk to me when i went to pick zy up from school, so i said ok and waited for her. She then asked me, "he doesnt sit still when im reading the children stories and he tends to walk around, and when they were having the sports ball session, he cried and cried upon seeing the teacher who is a foreigner with gold hair. Why ah? I dont understand. And he seems to have some issues with listening to my instructions."

I was shocked.

To me, the first thought that came into my mind was, i have already spoken to the Principal on the issues and problems that you may face, i asked her if i needed to talk to you, she says its ok she will do so herself. Now it seems you 2 have not communicated at all with each other!! And secondly, as a teacher, you know that there will be a child with special needs in the case of autism in your class for the new term, after work, google and read up on children with an autism condition to know how to handle la right???? See how different are they from normal average kids isnt it????? I dont need you to study everyday on how this condition comes about or what but just a brief reading on their characteristics and you will know why they behave like that la!!!! Its like, you are working with children, preschoolers, you must know how to work with them so you can teach them! It doesnt have to be a child with special needs to push you to do this, just being a teacher you have to walk into the "kid's world" and speak their language so you can work with them smoothly isnt it? And now you have a child with special needs you dont bother to find out??? If children with special needs like autism is like you working with an average kid so easy then why must there be a term called autism? or kids with special needs? OMG!!!!

But, i didnt tell her all these. I told her nicely why zyon reacts the way he is and went home to write down briefly about the characteristics on children with autism. I dont know if she's read it or not but as a parent i have done my part in the explaining and noting down for your knowledge.

This morning, becos it was still very early, i was outside the assembly hall singing songs with zyon before he goes into the hall. The Principal came in throught the school gate. She saw me and zyon, dont bother to say anything and wanted to just walk pass, then i looked at her and said "good morning" and smiled. Then she repled "good morning". When she sees other parents, she says "hi! good morning" in a way that i wasnt given. What is this? Discrimination?? (you may think im being sensitive, but hey i have observed her a week cos i see her everyday)

When its finally time, i brought zyon to the hall and went to the other side to peep at how he was doing and how his teacher is handling him. I couldnt hear what they were talking to him about but because he wouldnt sit down and wait, he walked around. Different teachers went to him and got him to sit down but then he will stand up again and wants to walk to his classroom. Until his class teacher stood up and went to him. Before all these, she was happily having a conversation wth the rest of the students and she didnt talk to zyon. Then when she went to him, she held his hand and walked back to the sitting area and told zyon to sit down. But again he stood up after a while and this went on for 3 times. Her facial expression was straight, no smiles not nothing. Just straight. Then when zyon's classsmates gradually arrived and walked in, her smiles came back on them and said "good morning". As a parent, i feel its like handling my child is a chore is it? What is wrong with you????

Zyon's strength is his "being able to understand whats going on". Its just he isnt able to express. If you are genuinely nice to him, he will listen to you. Its been like this towards doctors, psychologists, relatives and my friends. So what does this tell you??? Is there no teachers who teaches with passion anymore in singapore?

The ache in my heart for my child... it never goes away...

Will it ever go away?

1st day of school

School started on the 2nd of jan this year!!!!! Zy's been going to school for the past 3 days~
School starts at 8.45am and i started getting zy to wake up at 7am to get ready, but he couldnt haha my little lazy bom bom. Finally i managed to get him to open his mouth for milk at 7.30am!! When he finally finished, it was time to get dressed and stuff, and he was awake!!

Initially my plan was to get him dressed and we could leave at 8am and we will have time for me to walk him to school since its quite near our place, but the sky looked really dangerous  (rain may come any moment) so i thought maybe we should just take the bus then. As soon as we reached the bus stop of his school, true enough it started pouring. Thank goodness we were already there!! phew!!

Day 1!! Parents were supposed to follow the kids for the whole session (2hrs) for the first week, and of cos i went with zyon and zonya was in my toddler carrier the whole time. You must be thinking y i didnt bring the pram right?? haha!! BECOS!!!! It was raining... so i took the bus instead of my original plan of walking to school with the pram~ lalalalala okok when we first got to the school, there were so many parents and children around, wow... i was very excited. Then a teacher came over and asked what class does zyon belong to? So i told her that i wasnt told when i registered him , but i do know which is his classroom so she told me to bring him there. When i got there, another teacher came along and asked what is he name of my child and i told her then officially zyon just walked in sat down and started playing his toys. So experienced lor... lol...

Zonya seeing her brother playing toys with so many other children she started struggling her legs wanting to come donw and play together then i kept telling her no, this is not a playground, "kor kor" is in school now.... but the little one wouldnt give in. Then the class teacher started talking to the little kiddos about what they were supposed to do and did a simple orientation for the kiddos. They were showed around the school and told which is the place for sports, which is the room for which activity and where the toilet is. Zy refused to hold on to the loop that they were supposed to hold on to and kept getting distracted along the way.. the teachers were patient enough to guide him :) When we were back in the classroom, his teacher then said to keep all the toys and take a sit on the floor infront of the black board. Ah ha, then zyzy refuse to keep the toys that he find so interesting (dinosaur figurines) and started throwing his tantrums refusing to keep the toys. And refusing to let go. o...k...... so i walked over and told him zy, pls keep the toys and take a sit. i said it 3 times and he continued to refuse, so i took it and put the toys back. Of cos he cried and cried. Then i held his hand and said ok, lets take a sit like everybody else. He fllowed me and took his seat but of cos it was beside me la... lol
The teacher then started saying , "ok children, see this area with many books? you can put ur name tags that i have here (she show them the name tags attached with velcro) and stick them here and u can choose the books that u want and take a seat on the sofa here (pointing to the reading area) to read them. But put them back nicely ok? Its the same with the rest of the playing areas, and we will be putting up an art area here as well for paintings and crafts". I was "wow" i like it :D Then she started story telling , zy isnt into story tellng becos he is not able to sit down quietly and listen attentively so it was hard to try to make him sit down.. very soon 2 hrs was up and it was time to go home, so i thanked the teacher and told zyon it was time to go, and he was happy waving goodbye to everyone and high 5ing the teachers. OK, so that was 1st day.

I will update 2nd day soon!!! have to go tend the kids now!! LOL Chao!!