Sunshine & Rainbow
This blog is dedicated to my son, J, who has ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder). After each challenges that we faced in our journey with J, just like after a storm, comes sunshine, that "light" shines brightly in J's life. And after that storm and sunshine, we see Rainbow. Rainbow is God's promises. That's when we see HOPE.
"I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope." - Psalm 130:5
Wednesday, July 31, 2019
Sunday, June 30, 2019
Friday, May 10, 2019
Friday, May 3, 2019
Playing with Peers
During a trip to the dentist in Mar 2019, I was heartened to see J being able to interact with another peers. They were both laughing, making comments and giving opinions. They not just communicate, play together and have fun, he started to have interest in both the activity and other children involved in playing. This is one important step to lead to Cooperative Play. For more information on the Social Stages of play for Children 0 - 6 years, you may visit here.
Taken when he was 5 years old. It was still parallel play. |
Friday, August 31, 2018
Changi Beach Park
Climbing, crawling, pulling and motor planning are involved. These skills are essential to help in his handwriting. |
It is a good place to help J hone his gross motor skills, which in turn, will help in his handwriting.
In order to cross over to the other side, some motor planning is needed. |
Gross motor skills are abilities that allow people to do things that involve using the large muscles in the torso, arms and legs to complete whole-body movements. Gross motor skills is not just about acquiring sports, etc. Many research talks about the relations between gross motor skill and handwriting. You might like to read the relations here.
The structure requires J to put in some effort on how and where he needs to climb.
Strength and Motor Planning Skills |
Further down the park, there is another playground that has swing. Swings gently develop muscle strength and fine motor skills. Balancing on the swing seat can strengthen the core. Holding on to the cord or chain of a swing strengthens grip strength and finger coordination - an essential milestone for children learning to write.
Holding on to the cord or chain of a swing strengthen grip strength and finger coordination. |
Another activity in this park: Sand Play. Playing in the sand helps to develop fine motor skills when using a small shovel, digging and pouring into the bucket. Sand play also helps to develop a sense of textures.
Sand Play. |
Lastly, at this park, airplanes will fly above us every few minutes and it is great opportunity to see the body of the plane.
Airplanes flew past every few minutes. |
There are many activities that can help hone gross motor skills in Changi Beach Park. A very good recommended place to go.
Monday, July 30, 2018
Be Kind!
And there was a little boy and his helper with him. while waiting for the lift to arrive, the little boy was jumping around and touching the lift door. His helper was using a firm voice "Don't touch the door" and she looked very stressful.
When we were in the lift, the little boy was just turning around to look at the pram and the helper quickly held onto the little boy and said, "There is a baby." My baby was sleeping.
From that little observation, I deduced the boy might be different. And he might be in Autism Spectrum. So I patted his helper on the back and said, "Don't worry!"
And she immediately said, "He is autistic."
I replied, "My son too."
And she was looking at me, seemingly surprised at what I said and she asked to repeat.
So I said, "My son too. And you are doing a great job."
She smiled at me.
Looking after an autistic child is already very challenging. It is draining. On most days, we are being judged, we got scolded for what our child did and we hear lots of negative comments. This would be even harder if the caregiver is not the child's parents but someone else like the maid who has no blood relation with the child and have to love the child like her own.
Hence, having someone to have a pat on the caregiver's back puts a smile on the caregiver. At least the world is still beautiful.
Be kind!
Friday, June 1, 2018
Fixing From Scratch Together
How the completed set looks |
We opened the box. Gosh! There were some parts I had no idea where it should go. Then J would say, "Mummy, it is over here."
I had a hard time fixing this panel |
Throughout the time when we were finding parts and fixing the set, he would use descriptive words and sentences like, "This piece is on the blue surface", "Look at the square... this is over here", "We put this on top", etc. I realise how much he has improved. He is able to describe, though sometimes the description isn't clear and sometimes he may find difficulty in explaining why.
Lastly, when we had to fix the lift in. Yes! That is his favourite part and he wanted to attempt it himself.
Building his Lift. Loves his seriousness. |