I stumbled upon autism when my son was diagnosed at three: it’s been so many years now and I still feel this journey is so long.
Unlike many uplifting stories on the internet, our stories are perhaps a little dark. My son is considered on the severe end of autism. He would always need support.
I have been using Facebook as an outlet and thought I would share it with you here. I also tried to write up some articles to provide a more organized view of my ideas.
Latest Facebook Posts
Kiddo is turning 18 next year.I am terrified.I am anxious.I've known that he would always need support in his life, and I started doing my research and thinking many years ago. But I am still not prepared.I am not prepared to finally see that all my friends' busy sending their kids to universities, while I am trying to figure out what Kiddo would be doing when he leaves school.I am not prepared for the waves of emotions and fears that he would one day be quite alone without Husband and me. (Yes, I hope Princess will help, but there's really no guarantee, is there?)I am also not prepared of all the paperwork that I am starting to file for him, understanding the legal and moral implications of every aspect of his life. Where will he live? What will he do? Who will take care of him?Those 3 questions alone just drain every cell in my brain and all the energy in my body. I have a rough idea, but I have to start executing the tasks.And I do wish those who tell me "Why don't you…?" would start their questions with "Why don't I…?" … See MoreSee Less
Husband and I watched this film the other day.After a few minutes into the film, Husband made a comment about how these kids were not taught boundaries. I cringed and kept my mouth shut.We both grew up in Asia. He grew up with "stern disciplines" while my parents have never laid a hand on my siblings and me. And, it is not the point of the film.Yes, there are parents spoiling their kids to a point that their kids are out of control.But there are a percentage of kids that need help more than what their parents could give them. This film is to let everyone know that what's really behind the mass shooting or family tragedy.While the media is quick to provide comforting reasons to the public and blame mass shooting on autism, bad parenting, etc., this film shows the struggles the parents with their explosive children have: they have nowhere to turn to.Several interesting topics came up in the film, such as there is no adequate support system to compensate the lack of organizations after deinstitutionalization. So parents live in fear, while they desperately seek help and only to find out there is really none.There are heart-breaking moments. Moms and siblings were attacked, even when the camera is rolling. You could still see the remorse in the child, but he just had no control over his rage. And the siblings talked about their experiences and being ignored all the time.I have no answer to every issue, but it is one of those films that help the world to see some of the problems we are not aware of.Go watch it. … See MoreSee Less
"I'm sorry."I was stunned by her response.I met some nice ladies and of course, I talked about my kids. Of course, I told them Kiddo has autism.Then one of the ladies said, "I'm sorry".I smiled and said, "Oh…" I didn't quite know how to respond.Before you all get mad at the lady, she is a kind person. And she is a little older than me. And she meant no ill.I realized that I live in a bubble. People around me have learned so much about autism because I talk about it. You all hear me whining about wanting not to be aware of autism awareness. I have also dished out the good, the bad and the ugly of autism.But it is a big world out there. There are still some kind older ladies who don't have the fortune to meet a person like me until now. So, I smiled and told her, "Oh. But he can do so much." … See MoreSee Less