Autism in child

- a brain-based developmental disorder that affects a person's ability to communicate and interact socially with other people, as well as impairs his ability to engage in developmentally appropriate behaviours.
- some show limited or total lack of spoken language.
- display a lack of spontaneous interest in things and relationships around them.
- there's no known cure for this life-long disorder.
- child does not outgrow it although the symptoms may lessen with educational interventions.

one parent related experience:
- child at 16mth old wasn't able to point to things.
- did not really babble
- seek paediatric developmental doc
- seek private professional resources after some "information overload" and small confusion while waiting to see a medical social worker.


- long waiting lists when trying to get appointments with professionals for speech and occupational therapy.
- learnt about Autism Association (Singapore) (AAS) and its early intervention programme.
- while waiting for admission to AAS's early intervention programme, hired private professionals to work with child 5 times a week, 3hourly sessions.
- cost is exorbitant.

- continues his home-based programme after attends the early intervention programme at AAS 2 times a week.
- will not hesitate to check out and try any method to help child
- aim is to improve the quality of child's life.
- keeps expectations realistic and is wary of becoming ambitious when child shows improvement.
- little acts like a hug or a kiss is huge bonus coming from child
- eye contact with people of child is more intense and child shows more interest in things.

- tried putting child in a normal childcare centre to expose him to a regular setting
- lack of tolerance in society can be very difficult for special needs individuals.
- public awareness about autism is important to raise tolerance and acceptance of people with the condition.
- stayed away from finger pointing and focused on what was needed to help the child.
- knowing child's condition early meant that she and spouse could help the child as soon as possible.
- affordable resources like library books, information on the Internet, talks and intervention programmes on helping a child with autism
- autism could run in the family