I have been very busy lately focusing on my children and the bits and pieces in the house. Since my eldest Robbie, diagnosed in the autism spectrum (ASD), He was assessed to be having a mild to moderate autism. It’s a real journey, real struggle and emotionally painful for us parents. Though draining and exhausting, I have learned to accept it, embrace it, then only we can help him. I cried a lot, I prayed so much more than I can remember, It’s the prayer I can only turn to. The community where we live has limited support in regards to this aspect, and it can be very expensive with the therapies needed.
Right now my adorable boy is undergoing therapies (occupational and speech therapy). So far, the progress is good. We take one day at a time, at his own pace and us to support him throughout this journey. We as a parent are consistent and can see light at the end of the tunnel.
I am educating myself how to understand and help him. We do home therapy at home. I always watch videos on how to increase eye contact and focus, the videos are very helpful. I follow and practice it regularly and notice improvement overtime. Currently, we need to work out on his social, communication and toileting. (he is not in a diaper at all, but he wouldn’t say it yet so we frequently send him to the toilet).
He will be repeating KG1 as the teacher says he is not ready to go yet at KG2 for independent learning, But at 4.5 years old he can write his name, alphabets and numbers, knows all his phonics sounds, colors and can count 1-100. He is obsessed with numbers and alphabets so we set a limit time to give him and play with it and take it away in a particular time, as advised by the therapist, To be able to shift his attention to other stuff that can help him with his sensory needs.
I made a DIY sensory board to engage them with their sense of touch, sight and sounds. Beneficial for concentration, coordination, and cognition development.
It’s very easy to make and all you need is a strong glue, a hard cardboard and various things in the house. Just stick the things into the cardboard and you’re all set.
I was very emotional writing this, but we know we are on the right path. We will get there before we know it.
I truly believe that mothers are the best therapist. Robbie, my lovely boy is no different from a typical child, he just learns in a different way. A constant effort, and patience is the key to help him succeed.
If you are having a child with ASD, You are not alone.
Thank you for hearing my story.
