One of the biggest dilemmas parents face is accessing therapy for their child, as early intervention and specialized treatments are crucial for their development and well-being. However, the high cost of therapy presents a significant barrier, with each session costing approximately $200 or more. This financial strain can make it difficult for families to provide consistent therapy, leading to concerns about their child's progress and future opportunities.

Given these challenges, it is important for governments, schools, and support organizations (Extra-Ordinary, The Radiant Spectrum) to explore ways to increase affordability and accessibility of therapies for children with ASD, ensuring that all families receive the help they need without excessive financial burden.

Schools can play a crucial role in supporting these parents by providing more inclusive educational environments and resources. For instance, schools could offer workshops and training sessions for parents to better understand ASD and the available support systems. Additionally, schools could collaborate with local organizations to provide subsidized therapy sessions or create partnerships with healthcare providers to reduce costs for families.

The existence of parent support groups is a heartening aspect of the community. These groups can serve as vital resources for parents, offering emotional support and practical advice on navigating the complexities of raising a child with ASD. Such networks can help parents share experiences and strategies, which can be invaluable in managing the day-to-day challenges they face.

Many people with autism commonly face difficulties in communication, social interactions and sensory processing. I am also glad to further learn how their sensories can be very sensitive, like loud noises, bright lights, and strong smells, can be overwhelming for them. I also now understand how unexpected changes can cause stress in them.

On the other hand, one key takeaway I got really fixated on was the sharing of Dr. Jac den Houting about her research on ASD.

The way she presented ASD via medical model  who often frames autism as a disorder that needs to be fixed and how her recent studies on understanding autism through a different lense called the  neurodiversity paradigm.  They believe that all brain  development is equally valid. However,  rather than viewing herself ( who also happens to be a diagnosed ASD) as broken as how medical model sees it,  she recognized that her challenges were not a reflection of her condition but a result of an environment that was not accommodating her needs.

In her recent findings (which many other researchers are starting to get on board), helped me see how the environment plays a significant role in how people with autism experience the world. Instead of focusing on all the “NOT” (not developing well, not socially engage et al) and deficits, we should recognize the importance of creating supportive spaces where everyone’s differences are respected and valued.

The "double empathy problem" theory also resonated with me. It suggests that social communication challenges between autistic and non-autistic individuals are not just about the autistic person’s difficulty, but about differences in communication styles between both groups. As neurotypicals, we may play a role in the breakdown of communication as well.

These insights changed the way I think about autism, moving from a medical, deficit-focused view to another view from the perspective of experts and a perspective from those experiencing the condition. Coming to this Learning Disability class is always enriching, not only because I get to understand various perspectives on the condition through these videos and readings, but also because I eagerly anticipate the experience of stepping into the shoes of those who are living with it. It is a constant reminder for me to check my response to situations, ensuring that I approach them with proper understanding and empathy.

The documentary also reminded me to focus on the strengths of individuals with ASD. In school, their confidence tends to be lower compared to their peers, mainly due to the setbacks they have faced. However as educators, if we shift our perspective, what may seem like weaknesses can actually be strengths when given the right opportunities. Another takeaway that I would love to explore is the idea of students with ASD or other SEN taking on roles as peer support leaders for their juniors! :D

Autism affects communication, social interaction, and sensory processing, often leading to challenges such as delayed speech, difficulty with eye contact, and repetitive behaviours. Sensory overload can be overwhelming and may result in meltdowns. Research shows that autism impacts how the brain processes thoughts and interactions, and scientists are exploring different subtypes to gain a deeper understanding.

Emotional regulation can be particularly challenging, as many autistic individuals have difficulty with auditory processing. Some cover their ears to block out overwhelming sounds, and they often prefer listening without making eye contact. Forcing eye contact does not actually aid in information processing. Early signs of autism may include speech delays, delayed walking, OCD tendencies, sensory sensitivities, and repetitive behaviors. Communication, social skills, and sensory processing are common challenges, with more severe cases affecting both verbal and non-verbal communication.

Dr. Jac den Houting, who was diagnosed with autism at 25, advocates for a shift in how autism is understood. Rather than viewing autism as a problem with processing information (the medical model), they emphasize the importance of recognizing that the environment is not designed for autistic individuals (the social model). This change in perspective is crucial.

It is important to create awareness about autism amongst parents so that they could start the intervention early. Though initial stages or processes of going through the motion can be challenging, their children with autism would definitely benefit in the long-run.

Autistic individuals often excel in areas requiring deep focus, creativity, and unique thinking. Rather than seeing autism as a burden, it should be embraced as a different way of being, one that brings valuable strengths to the world.

Andric's mother was also very accepting of her son's diagnosis and worked hard to help him with his therapies and trying to teach simple DLS. I was shocked when I saw that the monthly cost of sending a special needs child to different therapies can amount up to $2000 (or even more). As a middle/lower middle income family where subsidies are not allocated and the raw cost is too high - more definitely needs to be done to help this community.

The experiment that was done with the 3 groups of people with ASD, The group who were typical, and the groups that has a combination of both proved the fact that we communicate differently and communication and the meaning is lost between the combined groups. The last video on training people with diversity and finding employment gave me hope.

Every individual deserves respect and equal opportunities, regardless of their abilities or disabilities. Everyone must have access to employment, housing, and full inclusion in all aspects of society. By fostering an inclusive environment, we can ensure that every person feels valued and supported.

Moving on to the second part of the lesson where we had the pair work, it saddens me to hear that one of interviewees has a step-dad who does not accept him. This made me wonder how many other people with ASD are not accepted by their step-parent. I was shocked to hear how he was treated by his step-dad, but I'm also happy for him that he is now living apart from his step-dad. Through the video, I also realised how fixated a person with ASD can be with their beliefs, in this case, him not believing in vaccination.

The video also talks about another family with a child with ASD. The mother talked about how they are a middle-income family, which means that they are not eligible for fundings for low-income family, and yet they do not have enough money for their child to attend therapy sessions. This makes me sad as the family would like to send their child for therapy but do not have the means to do so. I wonder if the government could do anything to help families like these.

Lastly, hearing from my group mate and the other classmates, I really like how Video 5 talked about paradigm shift. This tells me how we should change our perception. Instead of people with ASD trying to "fit in" to our society, we should do more to accept them into our society.

My mind was challenged by the insights from the Ted Talk by Dr Jac Den Houting. As someone who has been diagnosed with Autism herself, she does not see herself as any lesser but sought to find meaning and purpose of life as an autistic person. Her sharing on paradigm shifts- from the medical model which focuses on the deficits to the social model which focuses on the environment inspires me to also think from a different perspective. Neurodiversity paradigm- the way people with autism think is part of a natural variation of human neurological development- a different way of thinking. The word “ disabled” is not referred as a noun but a verb. People with autism have been disabled by the society around the autistic person as the environment does not cater to his/ her needs. It makes me think deeper of the environment we are creating for our kids with SEN.

HEART

Which is why it’s so heartening to know that there are initiatives like that one at Tampiness One to create a more inclusive environment for people seeking quiet spaces and I feel its a little step in the right direction for Singapore. My heart also goes out to the family who posted the video on the “10 Early Signs of Autism” . The video was largely shown from the youngest boy, Alistair’s perspective and there were some useful tips indeed like how to differentiate a sensory meltdown from a temper tantrum but it is not lost on me that these lessons come after a long journey with all of their three boys having autism and developing differently. The parents’ love for their children, commitment to helping them be the best they can be and the courage to show their journey on YouTube is inspiring. 🥹❤️

While navigating these complexities, it is important for family members to have a safe space for open communication to take place. When Marcus’s stepfather was unable to empathise with his needs, tensions arose within the family. However, if there are opportunities for feelings of frustrations to be ventilated, parents and siblings will be better able to understand, process and accommodate one another. 

Without overlooking the needs of the other members of the family, it’s amazing to see how Andrick and Marcus’s mothers maintain composure while establishing a routine, and pushing some boundaries when necessary as they love and care for their children, in their own ways. Learning to adapt, to focus on what they can control, truly can make a difference.

Leverage strengths for employment

Many individuals with ASD possess extraordinary attention to detail, deep knowledge in specific areas, strong logical thinking, or a love for repetitive tasks. How can these strengths be harnessed in a way that brings both purpose and stability? The right job match is about finding a role that fits them. Often, we view their fixations as obstacles. What if, instead of trying to redirect and force them to conform to our habits, we try to recognise their strengths and use their differences to guide them towards finding work where they can truly thrive?

Beyond identifying their strengths, the work environment itself plays a crucial role. In the video, Marcus shared his challenges holding an office job where his behaviours weren’t quite the norm for a regular office culture. So, what kind of a workplace structure could help them feel secure so they can meet their needs whilst achieving their work outcomes? Perhaps in addition to requesting for or expecting companies and colleagues to make small adjustments, the individuals with ASD could be open to self-employment or  flexible work arrangements so they can still pursue their interests or passion while earning a living. 

Just like how we know one-size does not fit-all, in time to come, success can be redefined for neurodivergent individuals, where their unique abilities are not only accepted but valued. By shifting our perspective, more doors can be opened not just for them—but for a richer, more diverse workforce that benefits us all - neurotypical or neurodivergent.

The host who was the only adult who also did the virtual reality stimulation described how he could hear everything in loud volumes, and the lights were too dazzling. He also could not understand what a lady was trying to tell him in that stimulation experience.

I slept on it and realised this morning that that is exactly what "being in another person's shoes" is like! I marvel at how technology is now able to allow us to have a feel of how another person may be experiencing through virtual reality. Hopefully, those children who went through that stimulation exercise will grow to be more empathic and kinder. I hope such virtual reality experiences might be made available in Singapore too.

However, despite the advancements in technology, the human touch and communication is still important to educate people about disabilities such as ASD. I was fortunate to have the chance to share with my mother about what I had learnt about ASD this morning and she was surprised to know that flapping of arms or something repetitive is not a sign that an autistic person is an "Ah Siao" (crazy person). It is just that that particular person needs to do some stimming to calm themselves down or there is a need to self-regulate.

I also talked to her about one of the topics we often discussed about our class - that job opportunities might be very limited to people with disabilities so organisations or people like us should be more understanding and helpful. She was also glad to hear that hospitals like Mount E employ staff with disabilities and find them very hardworking and easy to get along with. Next, I am going to share what I have learnt with my son and husband. =)

Jac's introduction of the "neurodiversity paradigm" was eye-opening. It frames autism not as a disorder, but as a natural variation in human neurological development. This perspective challenges the traditional view of autism, encouraging me to rethink it as part of the diverse spectrum of human experiences rather than something to be "fixed."

She also highlighted the distinction between the medical and social models of disability. While the medical model frames disability as an individual problem, the social model recognizes how disability is often a result of societal design. For instance, creating environments like shopping malls that are more accommodating for people with ASD made me realize how much society shapes our experiences of disability.

Finally, Dr. Damian Milton's concept of the "double empathy problem" was profound. It helped me understand that social difficulties between autistic and non-autistic individuals may just be mismatches in communication styles. It shifted my perspective from seeing autism as a personal challenge to seeing it as a reflection of how we all navigate communication and connection differently.

My next A-ha moment was in the clip speaking of neuroimaging and mapping the brain of people with ASD. It got me thinking when she said that there could possibly be different variations of ASD according the neuroimaging results. I understood that we in the SEN sector is not at the finish line yet. We have made great strides for progress in the SEN field, but there is more data to be uncovered and more progress to be made. Visualizing myself contributing to this progress makes me feel good.

My next A-ha moment was regarding the subject of "double empathy". It blew my mind when I saw that the individuals with Autism and the neurotypical ones, communicate in slightly different ways that eventually may lead to the misaligned understanding of the communication message.

The daily demands of managing a child with ASD, coupled with the uncertainty about their future, particularly in terms of employment and care after the parents are no longer around, create a significant burden on caregivers.

In some cases, siblings may take on caregiving responsibilities. I encountered an elder sister who took care of her sibling needs during recess as the younger brother is non-verbal and requires help to transit from preschool to mainstream. This can include helping with daily tasks such as approaching General officer for assistance or adaptive skills such as eating/toileting.

While this can foster a sense of responsibility and maturity, it can also be overwhelming for young children. The added responsibilities can interfere with their own development, social activities with her friends during their break time, leading to burnout and stress.

Therefore, encouraging open communication within the family can help to address concerns and direct the parents to think of alternative educational path for their child.

- Differences are not deficits: Everyone's brain works uniquely, and differences should be valued.

- Societal acceptance is key: Normalizing and accepting neurodiverse conditions can help reduce stigma.

- Hierarchy of stigma: Unfortunately, some conditions, like autism, may face more stigma than others, like dyslexia or ADHD.

It is important to recognize and challenge these biases, promoting a more inclusive and accepting society for all individuals, regardless of their neurological differences.

I watched the CNA video and I really want to thank the employers out there who are willing to work with people with disabilities; a chance for them to build their independence and to live a life with dignity. In the same thread, I also come across Lee Wee Brothers who also doing their part for inclusion. https://sadeaf.org.sg/news/breaking-barriers-shufengs-impact-on-workplace-inclusion/

I hope a closely-knit community can come together to empower the community of persons with disabilities.

If I ever had a chance, I would love to explore this topic further by interviewing the founders of TomoWork, with the hope of gaining a deeper understanding of their experiences and perspectives on neurodiversity and inclusion.

About TomoWork - Shaping a More Inclusive Future | TomoWork

I appreciated their resilience and dedication. I think one of the most important things I learned was the importance of understanding, patience, and advocacy, not only from the parents themselves but from educators, peers, and the community as a whole. As an SEN officer, this has made me more determined to collaborate with and support parents in any way I can. It has also given me a greater appreciation for the importance of creating an inclusive, welcoming, and supportive environment for students with autism and their families at school.

Moving forward, I hope to be more intentional in my interactions with parents, listening to their concerns, validating their efforts, and ensuring that their children receive the support they need. This video has given me a greater understanding of the challenges and emotions involved in raising a child with autism and has strengthened my commitment to advocating on behalf of my students and their families.