Wednesday, November 28, 2007
"When someone lets you down, don't give up on him."
Today had been another amazing experience with the children. We arrived at the centre at the usual time. The children played with the new music instruments, which they enjoyed so much. Then we went for our usual jog. We didn't manage to go the Sport Complex playground, as the Cheshire Home van was in use. Instead we decided to bring the children at the nearest field to play balls. As the weather was warm, we decided not to go. Instead we played at the usual place we had our jog and walk. We brought along few basketballs and the children had a good time. We taught them how to kick, throw and catch the ball. However, Titus had no interest to play the ball, instead he was into his writing and drawing of ice creams. Meanwhile, Jing Jing did not make any eye contact and couldn't be bothered to catch the ball. When Ms.Atie kept forcing her, she cried but wasn't for long. And for Chau Yin, she was in the mood of telling us stories - in her own language! It was an adorable sight to see how she told us her stories, with her body gestures and language that only she alone could understand.
After awhile, we all walked back to the centre, but not for Titus. He ran to the fish pond, which Low Gin Tung and David chased after him. He refused to go back to the centre and sat beside the pool. David and Low Gin Tung tried their best to bring him back, however they failed to do so, Ms. Lat came shortly to check on them as they spent 25 minutes persuading Titus to return to the centre. Unfortunately Titus wasn’t in his mood and shouted. We tried so many tricks and ways in persuading him, but he was stubborn and shouted loudly instead. Eventually, the EIC teacher Ms.Meryhati came and managed to bring him back to the centre.
Mr. Leong (EIC treasurer) was at the centre this morning, interviewing a new teacher. It seemed that Ms.Atie is resigning by end of this month, as she got another post in a school. The new teacher is going to start in January. We sure the children, especially Jing Jing will be missing Ms.Atie as she is quite fond of her.
After their break, each of the team members brought each child into classrooms and started their class. David was with Lee Jian, Crystal with Jing Jing, Low Gin Tung with Titus, and Stephanie with Ka Nyan. Meanwhile Chau Yin and Ai Lu was taught by EIC teachers as Catherina and Olivia did not come today. Everyone had a fun time playing and studying at the same time with the new materials from YB Au Kam Wah. We also learnt that Titus could actually spell words by filling blanks of alphabets. Low Gin Tung made two pages for him to complete. Well done Titus! He is indeed a smart boy, although how stubborn and difficult he is.
At 11.45am, every child left the centre and Ms. Lat got to discuss on the upcoming activity with the EIC teachers. The Christmas celebration will be on 10th December. The team members agreed to meet up on 8th December to buy materials and presents for that event. After that, Ms.Lat brought the whole team for lunch before sending each of the members home.
We hope that Titus will mix with everyone and play with us eventually one day. We also hope that all the children will have better improvement too with lots of care and love from the community.
Looking forward for the Christmas party then. Jingle bells! Jingle bells! Jingle all the way!
After their break, each of the team members brought each child into classrooms and started their class. David was with Lee Jian, Crystal with Jing Jing, Low Gin Tung with Titus, and Stephanie with Ka Nyan. Meanwhile Chau Yin and Ai Lu was taught by EIC teachers as Catherina and Olivia did not come today. Everyone had a fun time playing and studying at the same time with the new materials from YB Au Kam Wah. We also learnt that Titus could actually spell words by filling blanks of alphabets. Low Gin Tung made two pages for him to complete. Well done Titus! He is indeed a smart boy, although how stubborn and difficult he is.
At 11.45am, every child left the centre and Ms. Lat got to discuss on the upcoming activity with the EIC teachers. The Christmas celebration will be on 10th December. The team members agreed to meet up on 8th December to buy materials and presents for that event. After that, Ms.Lat brought the whole team for lunch before sending each of the members home.
We hope that Titus will mix with everyone and play with us eventually one day. We also hope that all the children will have better improvement too with lots of care and love from the community.
Looking forward for the Christmas party then. Jingle bells! Jingle bells! Jingle all the way!
H.O.P.E.
9:02 PM
Monday, November 26, 2007
"To help your children turn out well,
spend twice as much time and half the money."
spend twice as much time and half the money."
This is the third week that we had been coming to the centre and spending time with the children. The more time we spent with them, we understand their world and did our best in guiding and teaching them to understand ours.
Today was Low Gin Tung's turn to spend time with Titus Hii, his adopted brother. He hadn't been coming to the centre for two weeks as his relatives came visiting and had to spend time with them. We were quite surprise to see how he had lost weight. We guessed that he had grew taller. As we understood, Titus is quite stubborn and difficult to be controlled. He likes puzzle and can complete it again and again.
As usual we arrived at the centre at 8:30am but Titus was late half hour. While we waited for him, we did one on one session with the children in the classrooms, as well as playing with them in the main hall. When Titus arrived, we all went for a walk. Titus disagreed to join us as he wanted to complete his puzzle. Ms. Meryhati tricked him and brought his puzzle out for a walk, then he joined us. He did cried but stopped along the way. As he reached the fish pond, he stopped and immediately played with his puzzle. Low Gin Tung patiently waited for him to complete as the rest proceeded their walk.
As usual we arrived at the centre at 8:30am but Titus was late half hour. While we waited for him, we did one on one session with the children in the classrooms, as well as playing with them in the main hall. When Titus arrived, we all went for a walk. Titus disagreed to join us as he wanted to complete his puzzle. Ms. Meryhati tricked him and brought his puzzle out for a walk, then he joined us. He did cried but stopped along the way. As he reached the fish pond, he stopped and immediately played with his puzzle. Low Gin Tung patiently waited for him to complete as the rest proceeded their walk.
As he completed, he wanted to walk back to the centre. Again we tricked him by taking his puzzle away from him and asked him to join us. He cried loudly but somehow obeyed. Then we took few pieces of his puzzle and asked him to walk few rounds so that we would return the pieces to him. At first he disagreed and cried but eventually he obeyed. After few rounds, we walked back to the centre. Poor Lee Jian, he was running and fell down that he hurt his knee. David brought him back to the centre to put bandage on it.
As we arrived at the centre, Titus immediately continued completing his puzzle. We asked him to drink his water but he refused and threw his tantrums. When Ms.Meryhati agreed to draw ice creams for him, then he finished his bottle of water.
We learnt that besides puzzle, he likes to write the words 'ice creams' and few chinese words. He likes Ms.Meryhati to draw for him the ice creams on his papers, too. We got to observe how he persuaded her to draw and kissed her as to thank her for it.
We also got the chances to see that he would shake hands with the parents that came to fetch their children at the centre. As they departed, he would hit the gate grill a rhythm.
He would look at you when you called him and waved good bye when you said, 'Bye bye Titus'. Much surprise to his size, he is actually a nice boy. Although he may be difficult at times, with patient and dedication, he would be willing to learn more.
Since today had been the only time we got to be spending time with Titus, we, again had decided to come on Wednesday. We believe it takes time for him to trust us and able to open up with us.
We decided to bring the children at the nearest Sport Complex playground on Wednesday morning and to see how their reaction of something new and out of their normal routine. Ms. Meryhati will try to arrange the transport and approval from their parents. We hope it will be a green light for us. It will be another great experience with the children, then.
H.O.P.E. signing off for now...
H.O.P.E.
8:24 PM
Sunday, November 25, 2007
H.O.P.E.
12:12 PM
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Interesting news articles, showed how important for the society to know about autism. Study had proved 90% of people do not know how common autism is. That is a sad fact.
The STAR, Monday August 14, 2006
Autistic kids abused by clueless parents
RAUB: Many cases of child abuse stemmed from a lack of understanding about autistic children, said Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen. She said many parents do not know how to handle the so-called “naughty” children and this could lead to fights between them and abuse of the children.
RAUB: Many cases of child abuse stemmed from a lack of understanding about autistic children, said Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen. She said many parents do not know how to handle the so-called “naughty” children and this could lead to fights between them and abuse of the children.
She explained that children with autism have a lifelong disability that blocks their learning and communication capacity as well as emotional and social development.
“Most parents do not realise what is wrong when their children behave strangely, like wanting to distance themselves from other people, being hyperactive or not able to take meals on their own,” she added.
However, autism does not have to be a “life sentence” to the children if there is early intervention through education and behavioural management, Dr Ng told reporters during a visit to a health camp at SRK Sempalit, near here, yesterday.
Through this, she said, these kids could emerge from their autism to function like other “near-normal children”.
She added that some studies had shown that for every 110 children in the world, one is an autistic child. Dr Ng commended the National Autism Society of Malaysia (Nasom) on its efforts to help such children and encouraged parents with this condition to seek help from any of the 13 Nasom centres nationwide.
The STAR, Thursday July 13, 2006
Living in an unreal world,
Autistic kids must have early support
KUALA LUMPUR: These children can see, smell and hear the world but make no sense of it – they are autistic children who live in a world of their own.
Living in an unreal world,
Autistic kids must have early support
KUALA LUMPUR: These children can see, smell and hear the world but make no sense of it – they are autistic children who live in a world of their own.
According to National Autism Society of Malaysia (Nasom) executive director Liew Yoon Loy, many children suffer from autism but are not given appropriate help because their parents are unaware of their needs.
“Parents who do not understand autism cannot provide early support for their children. These children look normal but have special needs and it takes a lot of patience to care for them,” she said yesterday.
“Autistic children show symptoms within 36 months of their life, and parents should be aware of these symptoms so that they can bring their child for diagnosis. If their child is confirmed to be autistic, they can seek help early.”
Children with autism usually have communication and behavioural problems, and are unable to relate normally to other people. However, they can possess extraordinary abilities in a particular field such as mathematics or music.
Liew added that some parents were ashamed of their autistic children, as outsiders would judge them as being “lousy parents.”
“Autism is not about poor upbringing. It’s actually a neurobiological disorder that causes lifelong development disability, and early detection is essential to give the child special help he needs,” she told a press conference after a cheque presentation.
“A study in Britain shows that one in every 110 children suffers from autism, but there are no figures in Malaysia.”
Carrefour Malaysia/Singapore presented RM90,000 to Nasom to establish a bakery and launderette programme at two vocational centres for autistic children.
Two groups of 15 teenagers each will train at the vocational centres to enhance their employment opportunities.
Also present at the presentation ceremony were Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen (who is Nasom’s patron), Nasom president Megat Ahmad Shahrani Megat Sharuddin and Carrefour Malaysia/Singapore managing director Shafie Shamsuddin.
For more information contact Nasom at 03-4023 6698/7698 or visit www.nasom.org.my
H.O.P.E.
5:27 PM
Thursday, November 22, 2007
We met up again at Ms.Lat's place for the second day of the preparation. This time, Crystal brought an apple pie made by her mom. Thanks! :-) We had completed the draft and proceeding to the practice. Another long day today!
Everyone looked so serious...
Crystal's mom apple pie. Yummy!
The team took a break and...
... and watched this! Haha!
H.O.P.E.
5:29 PM
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Today we started on our discussion and preparation for the final presentation. We arrived at Ms.Lat's house at 9am. All of us gathered at the living hall and sat comfortably around the coffee table. It was a good brainstorming.
By 1pm, Ms.Lat brought us out for lunch at Sandakan Curry House. All of us had 'Nasi Bryani' and we talked about our trip to KL. We went back to Ms.Lat's house to continue on our preparation at 2pm. This time we shifted our discussion to the dining table. Everyone went home by 5pm.
By 1pm, Ms.Lat brought us out for lunch at Sandakan Curry House. All of us had 'Nasi Bryani' and we talked about our trip to KL. We went back to Ms.Lat's house to continue on our preparation at 2pm. This time we shifted our discussion to the dining table. Everyone went home by 5pm.
Brainstorming session
Smile!
Lunch time!
Nasi Bryani for lunch. Yummy!
Continuing our discussion at the dining table.
H.O.P.E.
5:29 PM
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
H.O.P.E.
12:40 PM
Monday, November 19, 2007
Again, Lee Jian showed a good progress with David around. He obeyed to David's instructions and for the first time, he clapped his hands and stomped his foot. It was a happy sight to see.
After the tv show, we went for our routine walk. Lee Jian had followed David's new path! He has broken his normal routine. Normally the teachers had to force him and he would cried and ran back to the centre. But instead he followed David's instructions and went wherever he was. Good progress. It is very important to go out of the routine, as this is what Ms. Meryhati and Ms. Nelly said. They had tried many times before but failed. They were indeed happy to see Lee Jian's improvement.
As we all returned to the centre, there was a power failure the whole morning. The children were a bit restless. But not the case for Jing Jing. She wanted to be carried all the time. MsLat carried her and swung her around. She liked it very much.
MsLat had to leave at 10:00am as she had to rush to the airport. We had our break, fried mee hoon and fried big prawns! They were yummy! We also received visitors from hospital. They came to get more informations on Autism.
After break, we had our one on one session at the main hall instead. It was quite warm and Chau Yin was restless and crying. At 11:30am, their parents came and they all went home.
Looking forward for next Monday session, especially spending time with Titus. :-)
H.O.P.E.
12:23 PM
Sunday, November 18, 2007
'My right hand is my life'
January 28, 2007
By CARLA OCCASO Staff Writer
Maleia Darling shocked her family just over a year ago by communicating volumes of bright, articulate thoughts although she has never spoken a sentence. Until then they didn't know what her favorite color was, let alone what her complex thoughts and feelings about her experiences might be.
"My name is Maleia and I am eleven years old," she wrote with a typewriter-like device on Oct. 2 in a piece titled "My Life With Autism." "I feel like other kids my age but my world is very different. I am forced to live in the world of autism. To me there is a gospel different from yours. Autism affects me both academically and personally."Before Maleia (her name is pronounced MAH-LEE-AH) learned to type on a keyboard about a year and a half ago, her parents, Todd and Keri Darling of Barre, said they had no idea what went on in their daughter's head. They picked out what they thought she would like or need by trying to guess the desires of their sometimes expressionless child with big beautiful eyes and short blonde hair. Once she began writing, her inner world came alive to them.
"We were blown away," said Todd Darling, who is a wholesale flower distributor. "We didn't know she knew what she knew (and) for me, it gave me a stronger will to help her get out of the world she was in."
Now, Maleia tells her parents what she thinks, feels, likes and dislikes. Her favorite colors are pink and yellow. She likes volcanoes. She likes riding on snowmobiles, roller coasters and other amusement park thrill rides.
"It's made us closer because we know how she feels," Keri Darling said. "Before, I made all the decisions. It's helped to get to know her more."
Autism is classified by the World Health Organization as a neurodevelopmental disorder. The condition affects a person's ability to communicate, understand spoken language and interact socially. Symptoms usually appear in the first three years and continue throughout life.
Maleia's medical problems started at nine months when she had a grand mal seizure. Keri Darling called emergency rescue and felt "helpless" and "clueless" as her tiny daughter was rushed to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H.
Doctors diagnosed Maleia with autism at age 3. Her parents cared for her as she endured seizures for days in a row, every hour on the hour, according to Keri Darling. The early years were "rough," Todd recalls. As Maleia matured, the duration and frequency of the seizures decreased, and though she had seizures as recently as last summer, the episodes have been regulated with medication.
The Darlings credit their own parents, extended family, the Barre Town School and the community for supporting them along the way.
Keri Darling, who works as a victim's advocate for the deaf, said the Barre Town school has been "awesome." The school board promised the Darlings the school would help Maleia with whatever she needed when she enrolled in kindergarten. Now in fifth grade, she works with a one-on-one aide, often in a room by herself, because it is difficult for her to be with groups of people.
Todd Darling said it was impossible to tell how much Maleia was taking in until Harvey Lavoy of the Barre Town School introduced her to "facilitated communication" last year.
In her case, someone holds her wrist or elbow in place so that she can access the keyboard of a computer or other writing device with her fingers. Maleia hits the keys on her own, Todd Darling says. Her writing is not edited by her parents or her teachers.
Maleia is reading and writing at a fifth grade level, and she has produced pages of sensitive, intelligent essays.
"Words, thoughts, hoards (sic) of emotions spin a riot in my head," Maleia wrote. "How can I speak or know drops of thoughts when there's an ocean in my head? … How can I fit into a world forcing feelings I don't have?"
Her writing reveals a thoughtful person full of hopes and joys, even though on the outside she appears to be cut off from others.
The Darlings had no idea how their dedication touched their daughter until recently because Maleia only utters occasional single words to indicate what she wants, her father says. And while she can say many words, she's not able to string them together verbally in sentences, he says.
Maleia recently wrote, "My mom is pretty and smart. She loves me the way I am. She loves me as much as she loves (brother) Jake. I'm surprised that she loves me when I'm a devil. I love her, too, and I'm so really happy that she's my mom."
Maleia also wrote a letter called "My Special Place" to her grandmother: "Roots of love, rays of happiness, torch of hope, these are the things that touch me when I am at Mimi's house. Mimi's house is truly peaceful … She's always a fountain of love for me and filled with real hope that I am smart and really lovely." Kay Lomberti, Maleia's grandmother, said she cried when she read this letter.
Her parents are amazed how simple communication devices, such as portable electronic keyboards, have opened Maleia's world.
Knowing her preferences has allowed the Darlings to provide an enriching environment at home. Her bedroom has become a soothing retreat decorated in her favorite colors with soft lights. On a recent Sunday afternoon Bob Marley's rhythmically lilting reggae music filled the air as Maleia swung on a swing in her bedroom. Todd Darling explained Maleia puts on music and swings every day when she gets home from school to unwind from the daily stress. Autistic children need certain kinds of physical stimuli other children don't, according to Keri Darling. In the summer, she swims in their backyard pool.
Maleia's seemingly miraculous discovery of the written word has inspired her uncle, Randy Lomberti, to join with Sue LaGue of Berlin, a grandmother of an autistic child, to raise money help families like the Darlings purchase equipment for their loved ones."We wanted to do something to raise awareness," Lomberti said. "It is a disease that gets one in every 166 children."
Lomberti and LaGue formed the Autism Puzzle Foundation to serve people statewide in need of toys or devices to enrich their lives. They held a fund-raiser at the Barre Elks Club last April, which raised nearly $21,000. Of that, $10,000 was given to Cure Autism Now (www. cureautismnow.org), a research organization that is offering to pay for devices that can people with autism.
Families throughout Vermont are invited to contact the Vermont Assistive Technology program about the Autism Puzzle Foundation gifts of up to $500 for therapy swings, facilitated communication equipment and other alternative communication devices. Funds are also available for toys that help with sensory integration, fine motor skills, gross motor skills, tactile skills and cognition skills.
"We're trying to help Vermonters statewide," Lomberti said. "There's a huge need."
And now, thanks to help from family, teachers and others, Maleia can speak for herself about how important these devices are to those with autism.
"I want to tell people how much my life has changed with typing," Maleia wrote. "Typing is my voice and my right hand is my life. Before typing I had little way to tell people my needs and feelings."
January 28, 2007
By CARLA OCCASO Staff Writer
Maleia Darling shocked her family just over a year ago by communicating volumes of bright, articulate thoughts although she has never spoken a sentence. Until then they didn't know what her favorite color was, let alone what her complex thoughts and feelings about her experiences might be.
"My name is Maleia and I am eleven years old," she wrote with a typewriter-like device on Oct. 2 in a piece titled "My Life With Autism." "I feel like other kids my age but my world is very different. I am forced to live in the world of autism. To me there is a gospel different from yours. Autism affects me both academically and personally."Before Maleia (her name is pronounced MAH-LEE-AH) learned to type on a keyboard about a year and a half ago, her parents, Todd and Keri Darling of Barre, said they had no idea what went on in their daughter's head. They picked out what they thought she would like or need by trying to guess the desires of their sometimes expressionless child with big beautiful eyes and short blonde hair. Once she began writing, her inner world came alive to them.
"We were blown away," said Todd Darling, who is a wholesale flower distributor. "We didn't know she knew what she knew (and) for me, it gave me a stronger will to help her get out of the world she was in."
Now, Maleia tells her parents what she thinks, feels, likes and dislikes. Her favorite colors are pink and yellow. She likes volcanoes. She likes riding on snowmobiles, roller coasters and other amusement park thrill rides.
"It's made us closer because we know how she feels," Keri Darling said. "Before, I made all the decisions. It's helped to get to know her more."
Autism is classified by the World Health Organization as a neurodevelopmental disorder. The condition affects a person's ability to communicate, understand spoken language and interact socially. Symptoms usually appear in the first three years and continue throughout life.
Maleia's medical problems started at nine months when she had a grand mal seizure. Keri Darling called emergency rescue and felt "helpless" and "clueless" as her tiny daughter was rushed to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H.
Doctors diagnosed Maleia with autism at age 3. Her parents cared for her as she endured seizures for days in a row, every hour on the hour, according to Keri Darling. The early years were "rough," Todd recalls. As Maleia matured, the duration and frequency of the seizures decreased, and though she had seizures as recently as last summer, the episodes have been regulated with medication.
The Darlings credit their own parents, extended family, the Barre Town School and the community for supporting them along the way.
Keri Darling, who works as a victim's advocate for the deaf, said the Barre Town school has been "awesome." The school board promised the Darlings the school would help Maleia with whatever she needed when she enrolled in kindergarten. Now in fifth grade, she works with a one-on-one aide, often in a room by herself, because it is difficult for her to be with groups of people.
Todd Darling said it was impossible to tell how much Maleia was taking in until Harvey Lavoy of the Barre Town School introduced her to "facilitated communication" last year.
In her case, someone holds her wrist or elbow in place so that she can access the keyboard of a computer or other writing device with her fingers. Maleia hits the keys on her own, Todd Darling says. Her writing is not edited by her parents or her teachers.
Maleia is reading and writing at a fifth grade level, and she has produced pages of sensitive, intelligent essays.
"Words, thoughts, hoards (sic) of emotions spin a riot in my head," Maleia wrote. "How can I speak or know drops of thoughts when there's an ocean in my head? … How can I fit into a world forcing feelings I don't have?"
Her writing reveals a thoughtful person full of hopes and joys, even though on the outside she appears to be cut off from others.
The Darlings had no idea how their dedication touched their daughter until recently because Maleia only utters occasional single words to indicate what she wants, her father says. And while she can say many words, she's not able to string them together verbally in sentences, he says.
Maleia recently wrote, "My mom is pretty and smart. She loves me the way I am. She loves me as much as she loves (brother) Jake. I'm surprised that she loves me when I'm a devil. I love her, too, and I'm so really happy that she's my mom."
Maleia also wrote a letter called "My Special Place" to her grandmother: "Roots of love, rays of happiness, torch of hope, these are the things that touch me when I am at Mimi's house. Mimi's house is truly peaceful … She's always a fountain of love for me and filled with real hope that I am smart and really lovely." Kay Lomberti, Maleia's grandmother, said she cried when she read this letter.
Her parents are amazed how simple communication devices, such as portable electronic keyboards, have opened Maleia's world.
Knowing her preferences has allowed the Darlings to provide an enriching environment at home. Her bedroom has become a soothing retreat decorated in her favorite colors with soft lights. On a recent Sunday afternoon Bob Marley's rhythmically lilting reggae music filled the air as Maleia swung on a swing in her bedroom. Todd Darling explained Maleia puts on music and swings every day when she gets home from school to unwind from the daily stress. Autistic children need certain kinds of physical stimuli other children don't, according to Keri Darling. In the summer, she swims in their backyard pool.
Maleia's seemingly miraculous discovery of the written word has inspired her uncle, Randy Lomberti, to join with Sue LaGue of Berlin, a grandmother of an autistic child, to raise money help families like the Darlings purchase equipment for their loved ones."We wanted to do something to raise awareness," Lomberti said. "It is a disease that gets one in every 166 children."
Lomberti and LaGue formed the Autism Puzzle Foundation to serve people statewide in need of toys or devices to enrich their lives. They held a fund-raiser at the Barre Elks Club last April, which raised nearly $21,000. Of that, $10,000 was given to Cure Autism Now (www. cureautismnow.org), a research organization that is offering to pay for devices that can people with autism.
Families throughout Vermont are invited to contact the Vermont Assistive Technology program about the Autism Puzzle Foundation gifts of up to $500 for therapy swings, facilitated communication equipment and other alternative communication devices. Funds are also available for toys that help with sensory integration, fine motor skills, gross motor skills, tactile skills and cognition skills.
"We're trying to help Vermonters statewide," Lomberti said. "There's a huge need."
And now, thanks to help from family, teachers and others, Maleia can speak for herself about how important these devices are to those with autism.
"I want to tell people how much my life has changed with typing," Maleia wrote. "Typing is my voice and my right hand is my life. Before typing I had little way to tell people my needs and feelings."
H.O.P.E.
8:13 AM
Friday, November 16, 2007
Congrats to H.O.P.E. team for entering the finals! :-D
We are still waiting on the details of the final presentation.
Thank you to Maxis CyberlinQ 2007
for selecting us into the final phase.
for selecting us into the final phase.
Congratulations too to the rest that are selected.
Good luck and all the best! See you all there! ;-)
Good luck and all the best! See you all there! ;-)
H.O.P.E.
9:29 PM
We received an email of Ms.Angelique's experience with a Autism Specialist and an Autistic child. Thank you Ms.Angelique :) Below is the copy of the email.
Dear Ms. Lat,
I had an unforgettable experience with Rachel and her specialist for three hours.
We had lunch and conversations, Rachel is in her last year with her specialist. She received training at first from her mom from the time she was a toddler. The specialist is employed by her parents to get Rachel ready for school. Her theraphy includes not only in speech, in how to react with outsiders, children as well as teachers and the outside world. She was introduced to other normal kids and autistics. After nearly 2 years she managed not to be afraid to be taken to places which once she was afraid and shy of.
Everything new, had to be introduced to her slowly, and gradually she learnt to be right in the middle of the other activities and feeling like one of the crowd, be it with normal children or with strangers. She is able to talk and with good mannerism too. Although at times she would burst into shouts in a language that only she could understand which is normal I was told, however, that too will diminished as she grows older.
She ate all her lunch which consisted of macaroni and cheese ( We were told, it is one of her favourite dish) and 3 medium sized shrimps. For dessert, she had a tiny piece of apple pie topped with half a scoop of vanilla ice cream. She was full of smiles and rubbed her little tummy. She said, "I am full. Thank you."
My mom and I, were very happy to see an autistic child on her way to be enrolled in a normal school next year. We saw the progress in Lee Jian, It shows with encouragements from his adopted brother he is able to venture into new things and I know he has a wonderful future ahead with proper guidance, teachings and attention and most importantly, love and support from those around him. The same with all the children of Cheshire Early Learning Centre.
God Bless.
Regards,
Angelique
Angelique
P.S. Rachel is 6 years old
H.O.P.E.
12:31 PM
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Today had been another amazing experience with the autistic children at EIC. Olivia, Stephanie, Crystal, David, Low Gin Tung and Ms.Lat went to the centre at 8:30am.They started off with dancing as warm up activity. Then we all went out for a walk and a jog out of the centre, around Cheshire Home. Although Lee Jian refused at first to go further, but with David’s persuasion, somehow he obeyed. The teachers were amazed with the change in Lee Jian. Although both of them David and Lee Jian walked together, Lee Jian made sure time to time that he was with him, as this path is new to him.
As we walked back, Lee Jian was ahead of us, as he looked forward to return to the centre, a place he felt secure and familiar of. We prepared the small pool that Crystal brought and filled it with water. But before it was half full, the children already got themselves in. We also played water guns and put some toys inside the pool. The children were so happy and excited. Ai Lu got everyone soaked. Somehow the small pool got torn and we tried to tape it but it didn’t work. So we just let them played till the water was running out. They took their shower and changed. Meanwhile David, Low Gin Tung and Crystal helped to clean the front entrance to the centre. Well done team! :-)
During the break, they somehow had appetite to eat more. When David took a curry puff, somehow Lee Jian wanted it too. The teacher said he never wanted to eat anything else beside the food that he brought from home. Again, we were pleased to see how David’s influence as a brother had given a good effect on Lee Jian. Well done, David. There was also a special treat as they got to eat a glass of ice cream each.
After that, Ka Nyan helped with the dishes meanwhile the rest helped to clean the kitchen. After that, everyone got into their classroom, along with their adopted sisters and brother. They taught them on shaping, colouring and completing puzzle. Lee Jian was laughing most of the time with David. He was really happy with him. He also did on joining dots to form number 3.
Stephanie, Olivia and Crystal spent more than an hour with their adopted sisters, before they prepared to go home. Well done girls!
As they all headed home, the team members had a chit chat with the teachers about the future planning. We will have an advance Christmas Day with the children, complete with presents, Christmas tree and caroling! The date is yet to be fixed soon. :-)
Another satisfying day for the team members. The boys will have their adoption day on next Monday. View our gallery for more photos!
p.s. Ms. Angelique from US had invited autism specialist to her house for lunch. She brought an autistic child too along with her. She’ll share her experience and knowledge she gained from her day tomorrow. Thank you Ms. Angelique!
H.O.P.E.
4:23 PM
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
First of all, we want to thank Ms. Angelique whom had put an effort in searching for more information on Autism. She had shared with us some good links of Autism and we found them really informative and interesting. She had suggested to us to look for donation of old computers that could be given to the centre so they could also use softwares for teaching and learning. We think that is an excellent idea. We'll look into it for future action :) Ms. Angelique too is planning to send over some books, CDs and softwares for teaching Autistic Children to the EIC. Thank you Ms. Angelique! :D God bless you!
Lastly, we found these interesting quotes on Autism.
Lastly, we found these interesting quotes on Autism.
"... We all need to think differently about Autism so those who are affected by the condition can feel supported in society ..."
" ... Many people really don't understand just how frightening and lonely the world can seem for someone with autism... "
"... it is so shocking that 90 percent of people don't realise just how common Autism is... "
Some facts about Autism.
1. People with autism generally experience difficulty in three main areas:
1.1. Social interaction. This includes recognising and understanding other people’s feelings and managing their own. Not understanding how to interact with other people can make it hard to form friendships.
1.2. Social communication. This includes using and understanding verbal and non-verbal language, such as gestures, facial expressions and tone of voice.
1.3. Social imagination. This includes the ability to understand and predict other people’s intentions and behaviour and to imagine situations outside of their own routine. This may be accompanied by a narrow repetitive range of activities.
2. The exact cause of autism is still being investigated. However, research suggests that a combination of factors – genetic and environmental – may account for changes in brain development. Autism is not caused by a person’s upbringing, their social circumstances and is not the fault of the individual with the condition.
3. The first detailed description of a child we now know had autism was written in 1799.
4. People from all nationalities and cultural, religious and social backgrounds can have autism, although it appears to affect more men than women. It is a lifelong condition: children with autism grow up to become adults with autism.
5. It can be hard to create awareness of autism as people with the condition do not ‘look’ disabled: parents of children with autism often say that other people simply think their child is naughty; while adults often find that they are misunderstood.
6. At present, there is no ‘cure’ for autism. However, there is a range of interventions – methods of enabling learning and development – which people may find to be helpful.
For more details, please visit these links. Simple click on the title.
H.O.P.E.
2:11 PM
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Spending time at the Centre has always been an exciting and memorable experience. Each time we learn new things about the children and how they started to feel comfortable with us. This is because they do not have many friends, as society would look at them differently. According to the teachers, they do need more attention and love from the people surrounding them. But not many are able to, not many are able to accept them the way they are.
We arrived at the centre at 8:45am. We were welcomed warmly by the teachers and of course the adorable children! Ms. Meryhati the teacher informed us that Titus couldn’t make it for this week as his relatives came and wanted to spend time with him. Thus, Low Gin Tung and David’s adoption schedules had to be postponed to next Monday instead. So the team members just spent time with the children and played along with them.
As the tv and dvd player were set at the main hall, we watched the videos from the family day and the special video of the children. The children were excited to see themselves on the tv. Lee Jian watched attentively and trying to recall family day. He approached close to the tv, then looked into the empty air then looked back at the screen again before he went back to his seat. Meanwhile Ka Nyan was so excited that she couldn’t keep quiet. Meanwhile Ai Lu was sad, knowing she wasn’t in the family day video. She sat at the corner, mumbling to herself, in the language only she could understand. But we could read her facial expression that she wasn’t happy. But when the special video of the children was on, and seeing herself in it, she smiled and shy away.
After the videos viewing, the team members went to the kitchen to prepare the tuna and egg sandwiches. Again, the children were excited, especially Ka Nyan and Ai Lu. We all had our break together. We noticed that Ka Nyan likes to share her food that she brought with her, along with the other children. That is a very sweet sight to see. According to the teacher, she does that, even if she had only one to share with. After the break, we helped to clean up the place. Again, Ka Nyan helped Crystal to wash the dishes. She has been trained to do so. That’s why living skills are important to prepare these children to be more independent one day.
We went out for our walk with the children. Again, we learnt that Lee Jian likes to follow his normal routine. Once he arrived at the pond, he would return to the centre, although we persuaded him to walk further more. He refused and just walked back. David had to company him ensuring he returned safely. Meanwhile Ka Nyan and Ai Lu, plucked all the flowers that came to their sights. They collected them all in a plastic bag. After that we headed back to the centre.
We were informed that Chau Yin would change her clothing before she goes home, everyday. Another routine that she is used to. Then they were brought to their classroom to have their lesson on how to cut. But Lee Jian and Chau Yin refused to be in the classroom, so they joined us at the main hall. The team members taught them along with the teachers’ help. It was another great experience to see these children obeying to instructions and were laughing as they managed to do it right. Ms. Nelly told us that Lee Jian did write on numbers, by joining dots. She showed us his book and David decided to make more dots of number 3 for him to join on his next visit on Monday.
As the time had come for them to return home, we gave the gifts of puzzle to Lee Jian and pink doggies to the girls. They were all excited and happy. Jing Jing waved good bye using her pointing finger and also she kissed on Ms.Lat’s cheek too! How sweet!
After interviewing and had a chit chat with the teachers, they wished us good luck in our project competition. We had planned to meet again on Thursday and had set to play water war with the children. We had so much fun the last family day.
After that the team members had lunch together where we encountered something cute on Gin Tung’s ‘nasi goreng pattaya’.
We arrived at the centre at 8:45am. We were welcomed warmly by the teachers and of course the adorable children! Ms. Meryhati the teacher informed us that Titus couldn’t make it for this week as his relatives came and wanted to spend time with him. Thus, Low Gin Tung and David’s adoption schedules had to be postponed to next Monday instead. So the team members just spent time with the children and played along with them.
As the tv and dvd player were set at the main hall, we watched the videos from the family day and the special video of the children. The children were excited to see themselves on the tv. Lee Jian watched attentively and trying to recall family day. He approached close to the tv, then looked into the empty air then looked back at the screen again before he went back to his seat. Meanwhile Ka Nyan was so excited that she couldn’t keep quiet. Meanwhile Ai Lu was sad, knowing she wasn’t in the family day video. She sat at the corner, mumbling to herself, in the language only she could understand. But we could read her facial expression that she wasn’t happy. But when the special video of the children was on, and seeing herself in it, she smiled and shy away.
After the videos viewing, the team members went to the kitchen to prepare the tuna and egg sandwiches. Again, the children were excited, especially Ka Nyan and Ai Lu. We all had our break together. We noticed that Ka Nyan likes to share her food that she brought with her, along with the other children. That is a very sweet sight to see. According to the teacher, she does that, even if she had only one to share with. After the break, we helped to clean up the place. Again, Ka Nyan helped Crystal to wash the dishes. She has been trained to do so. That’s why living skills are important to prepare these children to be more independent one day.
We went out for our walk with the children. Again, we learnt that Lee Jian likes to follow his normal routine. Once he arrived at the pond, he would return to the centre, although we persuaded him to walk further more. He refused and just walked back. David had to company him ensuring he returned safely. Meanwhile Ka Nyan and Ai Lu, plucked all the flowers that came to their sights. They collected them all in a plastic bag. After that we headed back to the centre.
We were informed that Chau Yin would change her clothing before she goes home, everyday. Another routine that she is used to. Then they were brought to their classroom to have their lesson on how to cut. But Lee Jian and Chau Yin refused to be in the classroom, so they joined us at the main hall. The team members taught them along with the teachers’ help. It was another great experience to see these children obeying to instructions and were laughing as they managed to do it right. Ms. Nelly told us that Lee Jian did write on numbers, by joining dots. She showed us his book and David decided to make more dots of number 3 for him to join on his next visit on Monday.
As the time had come for them to return home, we gave the gifts of puzzle to Lee Jian and pink doggies to the girls. They were all excited and happy. Jing Jing waved good bye using her pointing finger and also she kissed on Ms.Lat’s cheek too! How sweet!
After interviewing and had a chit chat with the teachers, they wished us good luck in our project competition. We had planned to meet again on Thursday and had set to play water war with the children. We had so much fun the last family day.
After that the team members had lunch together where we encountered something cute on Gin Tung’s ‘nasi goreng pattaya’.
We are looking forward for this coming Thursday!H.O.P.E. signing off…
H.O.P.E.
6:12 PM
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Crystal and David went to sell the rest of the DVD of the Mini Charity Concert. It was a good sale. Thank you to all that had supported us in this. We really appreciate it. :D
Meanwhile, Olivia went to distribute the rest of the certificates of appreciation to all the performers and volunteers. Ms.Lat had arranged for the team to meet at the centre on 13th November 2007, to spend more time with the children and teachers. And one of our team members, Catherina will be leaving to Jakarta on the 13th November 2007. Enjoy your holiday there, Cath!
Happy Holiday to all! :D
H.O.P.E.
6:48 PM
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Yesterday, Catherina went to Cheshire Early Intervention Centre to spend quality time with her adopted sister Chau Yin and the rest of the children. She reached there around 8.30am.
They went for jogging around the centre. The kids got so excited and ran around. They sat around the pond playing with the water and fed the fish.
Titus, Ai Lu and Chau Yin ran around for few rounds and after that we went back to the centre.
Chau Yin is so hyper and does not get tired easily. The teacher was happy that Titus was exercising and sweated.
While walking back, Chau Yin hugged Catherina while they were walking.
Catherina's adopted sister knows how to take off her shoes and put them back in position. She was taught by the teachers and her parents. That was an adorable sight to see.
After that, it was break time. Everyone ate noodles that they brought earlier. They drank a lot of water. Ai Lu and Lee Jian like their photos to be taken.
The kids did not finish their food except Chau Yin. She took a very long time to finish it. After that, Catherina and Chau Yin spent their times together in classroom 1.
Chau Yin learnt how to cut papers and put them in a bottle. She drew and did coloring, too. They were having a lot of fun. Chau Yin was a very good girl. She listened to Catherina and had a lot of fun with her.
Around 10am, Chau Yin and Catherina joined the others and they played around. Titus kept scratching his eyes until they got red. Poor boy.
Shuet Jing or Jing Jing was finally comfortable with Catherina and started to sniff and smell her. She hugged Catherina and sat on top of her thigh.
She started playing with her and following wherever she went.
Meanwhile, Lee Jian was chasing Catherina, for no reason.
Suddenly, there was a man appeared. He was asking a few information about Autism since he doubted that his 4 year old child is suffering from Autism.
Catherina went back around 11.30 am, pleased and contented with her experience she had with her adopted sister, Chau Yin and with the rest of the children. It was unforgettable memory.
Do visit our gallery to view her day with the children.
They went for jogging around the centre. The kids got so excited and ran around. They sat around the pond playing with the water and fed the fish.
Titus, Ai Lu and Chau Yin ran around for few rounds and after that we went back to the centre.
Chau Yin is so hyper and does not get tired easily. The teacher was happy that Titus was exercising and sweated.
While walking back, Chau Yin hugged Catherina while they were walking.
Catherina's adopted sister knows how to take off her shoes and put them back in position. She was taught by the teachers and her parents. That was an adorable sight to see.
After that, it was break time. Everyone ate noodles that they brought earlier. They drank a lot of water. Ai Lu and Lee Jian like their photos to be taken.
The kids did not finish their food except Chau Yin. She took a very long time to finish it. After that, Catherina and Chau Yin spent their times together in classroom 1.
Chau Yin learnt how to cut papers and put them in a bottle. She drew and did coloring, too. They were having a lot of fun. Chau Yin was a very good girl. She listened to Catherina and had a lot of fun with her.
Around 10am, Chau Yin and Catherina joined the others and they played around. Titus kept scratching his eyes until they got red. Poor boy.
Shuet Jing or Jing Jing was finally comfortable with Catherina and started to sniff and smell her. She hugged Catherina and sat on top of her thigh.
She started playing with her and following wherever she went.
Meanwhile, Lee Jian was chasing Catherina, for no reason.
Suddenly, there was a man appeared. He was asking a few information about Autism since he doubted that his 4 year old child is suffering from Autism.
Catherina went back around 11.30 am, pleased and contented with her experience she had with her adopted sister, Chau Yin and with the rest of the children. It was unforgettable memory.
Do visit our gallery to view her day with the children.
H.O.P.E.
1:14 PM
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Today was our school's speech day. Our guest of honour, Sabah Cheshire Home Early Intervention Centre's chairman, YB Au Kam Wah (ASDK) ADUN N.45 ELOPURA, came to officiate the ceremony. Thus, we took the opportunity to hand him the collection of donations that we made from 'A Cent A Day' and 'Mini Charity Concert', which amountted to RM1001.00. YB Au Kam Wah was very pleased with the fund, that could be used in giving proper training to the teachers of the centre in the future. He also mentioned about our team's project during his speech and wished us the best of luck on the Maxis CyberlinQ 2007 competition. Thank you YB Au Kam Wah! Below are the cut of the speech and photos of today's event.
Our principal handed the fund to YB Au Kam Wah, along with the school board committees.
YB Au Kam Wah was very pleased with the fund donated. In fact, our school staffs donated some more during the staff annual dinner that, also will be donated to the centre. It will be arranged in the future by our Gerko Co-ordinator, Ms. Teoh Ah Nai. Thank you Ms. Teoh!
The team managed to raise more fund from our 'Mini Charity Concert' DVD sales. Thus, the team bought more toys and puzzles for the children at the centre. We are going to bring it over during the adoption programme schedules, so they won't be going empty handed.
The owner of the supermarket gave us a discount from our purchases today. Thank you!
Ms. Lat paid for the toys and puzzle.
Catherina went to the centre to spend time with her adopted sister, Chau Yin today. She will give the report by tomorrow. She had a unforgetable time with her and the rest of the children.Although we had completed our project, but our service and contribution for the centre will not stop. We will do our best for them! :-)
H.O.P.E.
2:41 PM
Monday, November 5, 2007
[ Remember to mute our main audio in this blog before you view the video. This video is quite huge, so it may take some time to load. We thank you for your patience. ]
H.O.P.E.
5:32 PM
We managed to browse on today's news and encountered with these articles on Autism. It's a very useful information and we hope our society will learn from it.
Autism ‘epidemic’ may be all in the label
Behaviors were as common years ago, but definition, diagnosis have shifted
Behaviors were as common years ago, but definition, diagnosis have shifted
By MIKE STOBBE
AP Medical Writer
updated 1:55 p.m. ET Nov. 4, 2007
AP Medical Writer
updated 1:55 p.m. ET Nov. 4, 2007
ATLANTA - A few decades ago, people probably would have said kids like Ryan Massey and Eddie Scheuplein were just odd. Or difficult.Both boys are bright. But Ryan, 11, is hyper and prone to angry outbursts, sometimes trying to strangle another kid in his class who annoys him. Eddie, 7, has a strange habit of sticking his shirt in his mouth and sucking on it.
Both were diagnosed with a form of autism. And it's partly because of children like them that autism appears to be skyrocketing: In the latest estimate, as many as one in 150 children have some form of this disorder. Groups advocating more research money call autism "the fastest-growing developmental disability in the United States." Read more
Autism screening urged for toddlers by age 2
Pediatricians group says early therapy can lessen disorder’s severity
Pediatricians group says early therapy can lessen disorder’s severity
CHICAGO - The country’s leading pediatricians group is making its strongest push yet to have all children screened for autism twice by age 2, warning of symptoms such as babies who don’t babble at 9 months and 1-year-olds who don’t point to toys.The advice is meant to help both parents and doctors spot autism sooner. There is no cure for the disorder, but experts say that early therapy can lessen its severity. Read more
H.O.P.E.
2:19 PM
Friday, November 2, 2007
Ms. Lat also had confirmed on the amount of donation that will be given to Sabah Cheshire Home Early Intervention Centre. All RM1000.00. Thank you to all Sung Siew community that had donated to that amount! It is more than we had expected. All our hard work are paid off, knowing that amount will be benefited the centre. The donation will be given to YB Au Kam Wah, the chairman of EIC on next Wednesday as he is coming to our school to officiate our speech day.
Ms. Nurha had smsed us on receiving our DVD. Thanks for your wishes for the team, Ms. Nurha :-)
We are also grateful of the supports we received from Angelique, Ms.Lat's friend in the States. Through her, we got some good opinions from CNN on our blog and the overall project. That means a lot. :-)
We would also like to thank all that had voted for us. Thank you for the supports. It encourages us to continue serving for the children and in doing our best.
Looking forward for the results. Hope we will be selected in the finals. :-)
H.O.P.E.
10:32 PM
