Life took a turn for Mr and Mrs Quek, Qiao Tai’s parents, when he was three. At the playgroup he was attending, Qiao Tai would run around screaming in the classroom. He also would not play with his peers.
Qiao Tai’s teacher thought that he could have autism and informed his parents. However, Mr and Mrs Quek, refused to believe or accept that there was anything unusual with their child. At that time, the school sent a special education teacher to observe him for a month; at the end of that time, she recommended that Qiao Tai be assessed.
When the doctor confirmed his condition, the family’s world turned upside down. They felt helpless, lost and alone. They didn’t know where or who to turn to for help. They also hoped that the condition like a cough or cold, could be cured, and would eventually go away.
Mr Quek ended up changing jobs several times as his employers didn’t understand why he needed to take time off to take care of his son so regularly. To make matters worse, Mrs Quek, devastated by what was happening to her son, fell into depression.
A social worker from that school suggested that they enrol Qiao Tai in a private early intervention programme. However, as the fees were very high, Qiao Tai had to leave the programme after two years.
With a referral letter from the doctor, the family received help from a welfare association. There, they learnt how to manage Qiao Tai better. When he was seven, Qiao Tai was enrolled into AWWA School. A social worker from AWWA School also advised Mrs Quek to seek help for her mental condition. This meant that she could not look after Qiao Tai in the afternoons, after school sessions end. Qiao Tai started attending AWWA Special Student Care Centre (SSCC), an after school care for students with special needs who did not have after school caregiver support.
Since attending AWWA School and SSCC, Qiao Tai’s parents shared that his behaviour has improved tremendously. He is now able to communicate and express himself through visual cues. He is also more independent, being able to perform activities of daily living, and even helps with household chores. Patience is something he has also developed.
Qiao Tai is now 10 years old; the frequency of his meltdowns have decreased and are not as extreme as before. His two sisters, aged 15 and 17, have also learnt how to relate to Qiao Tai better, and his mother is on the road to recovery from her condition.
While the situation within the family is improving, they still face challenges when they go out in public like getting stared at by people. Neighbours also shy away from them, shutting their doors as soon as the family or Qiao Tai is within sight.
Every life is precious. As we celebrate Autism Awareness month this April, let us extend patience and acceptance to those among us who face challenges for conditions such as autism, and promote a spirit of inclusiveness as we strive to be a more gracious and caring society.