An article on autism for caregivers

Dear everyone:

It has been quite a tumultuous month for me, as I continue to grapple with the challenges of raising Sebastien, my autistic adolescent. As I revealed to a Straits Times journalist who interviewed me about my articles on my Website, my articles typically contain the invaluable lessons that I have learnt in my ongoing journey of parenting Sebastien. They are as often about the mistakes that I have made and from which I have learnt as they are about the things that work. It is my belief that we should acknowledge our mistakes and learn from them in our marathon journey, which will hopefully make us not only better parents, but also better people.

1. In this month's update, I have written an article that depicts how I fell prey to hope in pursuing what I had hoped to be a "miracle cure" for Sebastien's autism. This was a sobering and cathartic piece for me, as it illuminated how vulnerable I was as a parent, that I was foolish enough to believe in something that was simply too good to be true. Much as I had not wanted to write this piece, I realised that I would not be able to move on with my life, if I were not to share this story.

Here is an excerpt:

Falling Prey to Hope
By Choo Kah Ying

What if a chi practitioner told you that he could cure your son's autism in six months by sending energy to him for five minutes every day? And that his unique energy therapy could generate the growth and development of cells in his body? Moreover, he would give me a free one-month trial before I decide whether to tell the world about his miracle cure…

Would you believe him?

Well, I did… for two difficult months, sustained solely by the intoxicating power of hope that Sebastien would recover. The hope of recovery for our children from autism is a powerful dream-come-true – ask any parent. I am still reeling from the fact that I, a veteran mother of a 14-year-old adolescent with autism, could get so carried away that I would fall for claims that went against all sense and reason.

Here is the cautionary tale of how I fell prey to hope…

(To read more, please click: http://www.awakeningminds.sg/articles_falling_prey_to_hope.html)

2. As a preview for next month's update, I will be writing a difficult article about the resurfacing of Sebastien's aggression in the recent month. As I take on this challenge on a daily basis, I feel the need to bring forth the issue of raising an adolescent with autism to the forefront, by proposing the following workshop. Apart from presenting my own perspectives, I hope to stimulate a debate on this difficult issue among caregivers and educators.

Raising an Adolescent with Autism: Challenges, Perspectives and Strategies. Targeted at caregivers and educators, this interactive workshop will explore the unique challenges posed by adolescents with autism, as they grapple with their physical and mental changes. In this stimulating workshop, we will also discuss perspectives on this issue and explore effective strategies for dealing with these changes. Topics covered will include: Physical, Mental and Psychological Transformation, Sexuality, Aggression, Role of the Public and Authorities, Behavioural Management and Parenting (for Adolescents).

3. On a happier note, I would like to invite anyone who is interested to try out the massage of my dear friend, Roger, from Australia, who is back in Singapore for a couple of weeks. When I first returned to Singapore, I had the fortune of meeting Roger. Ever since I witnessed his loving massage of Sebastien five years ago and experienced the nurturing effects of his work, we have been great friends. Someone who had tried Roger's massage and massages in many parts of the world had told me that Roger's massage is the best he has ever had.

Please email Roger @ rog@janrog.com
Singapore +6594460706

He will be working at Basic Essence 501 bukit timah road, #04-04 cluny court.

Please feel free to share this information to anyone who may be interested.



Thanks for reading,

Kah Ying