Early signs: A mother’s discovery of her son’s unique needs

May 5, 2019

Healthcaretoday, autism spectrum disorder, Joshua Teow, Autism awareness, Autism journey, Special needs parenting, Support for autism, Bloomers Employability Skills Training, Autism acceptance, Autism community, Autism family,

Rosemary reflects on the moment the kindergarten headmistress reached out to her, asking if she had noticed anything different about Joshua.

As a parent, there’s an unspoken bond that forms the moment you hold your child for the first time. You envision a future filled with milestones, laughter, and shared experiences. But for many parents of children on the autism spectrum, that journey can take unexpected turns. Rosemary’s story of her son, Joshua, is a testament to the love, determination, and resilience that define the lives of families navigating autism.

When Joshua was born, he was a healthy, vibrant baby, and Rosemary felt a sense of joy and hope for her future. However, that sense of normalcy was soon challenged. “My son, Joshua Teow, 25, was fine when he was born. However, within a week of sending him to kindergarten, the headmistress called me in,” recalls Rosemary. “She asked if I noticed anything different about Joshua. I was taken aback. Different? What do you mean?”

The headmistress, with a gentle yet serious demeanor, pointed out behaviors that had slipped under the radar of Rosemary and her family. “She told me the term for autism in Chinese, which I had never heard of. A few days later, she called me back with the English term. Once she approached the subject, we knew we had to take action.”

With a heavy heart, Rosemary and her husband sought a referral letter from their general practitioner, leading them to the General Hospital for a proper diagnosis. The results were bittersweet: Joshua was diagnosed with mild autism and hyperactivity. The doctor suggested a mainstream school setting, hoping that interaction with neurotypical peers would benefit Joshua. However, by that time, he was already registered in a Chinese primary school.

In search of the right educational environment, they discovered the CATS Centre, a private institution that offered a government syllabus tailored for children with special needs. Joshua transitioned from the Chinese school to the CATS Centre, where he began to thrive. “With the speech therapy he was receiving, he was able to converse quite comfortably,” Rosemary explains. Yet, the academic pressures of primary school were overwhelming for Joshua, leading Rosemary to make the difficult decision to forgo exams that would only cause him stress.

After completing primary education at age 14, the family faced a new challenge: finding a suitable place for Joshua to continue his development. Recognizing the importance of life skills, they enrolled him in Bloomers Employability Skills Training, a center dedicated to teaching young adults essential skills for independent living. “That is our concern,” Rosemary shares. “We want him to be able to live independently, even when we are no longer around.”

At Bloomers, Joshua learned valuable skills such as doing laundry, cleaning, and tidying up his living space. “After that center, we had to figure out what to do next. He is at that age—neither here nor there. He cannot go into the workplace, and we do not know where to put him for schooling,” Rosemary reflects.

Despite the challenges, the family embraced every opportunity to help Joshua discover his passions. They enrolled him in music classes and piano lessons, hoping to ignite a spark. While progress was slow, something remarkable happened: Joshua developed a love for drumming. “Initially, he didn’t like any musical instrument. The sounds were overwhelming for him,” Rosemary recalls. “But now, he can play the drum. It’s a big progression from covering his ears to actually playing.”

This journey has not been easy, but it has been filled with moments of joy, growth, and unexpected triumphs. Rosemary’s unwavering support and love have been the foundation for Joshua’s development. “I cannot explain how he got to this stage, but I’m so happy for him. It’s his own wanting to do that,” she says with pride.

As Rosemary reflects on their journey, she hopes that sharing their story will resonate with other parents facing similar challenges. “We are not alone in this. Every step, every struggle, and every success is part of our unique journey. It’s about embracing the love we have for our children and celebrating their individual paths.”

Early signs: A mother’s discovery of her son’s unique needs

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