Time flies. It is time for decision to be made. For Ariq & Arisya...the factors to be considered were more of distance & convenience coz we were never into this sch is better than that sch...just because of the fact that all syllabuses are the same, all pupils sit for the same national exams.
But its different for Aqil...because he's special...he has special needs. The normal mainstream schools are definitely not for him. Being a teacher...having seen special needs children in mainstream...I know. And as a mother, I'd like my child's needs to be catered to as much as possible. Not to provide special attention...just to understand his needs, his differences.
And we thought we have decided but it turns out the opposite. We realise Pathlight follows mainstream curriculum. So if we choose Pathlight, it will be similar to Aqil attending a mainstream school except for the fact that in a much better environment where his needs will be catered to as much as possible.
But the psychological report suggests otherwise. Aqil's IQ is found to be quite low...not suitable for mainstream. He has been recommended special schools instead.
We went to have a look at Eden School which specialises in autism. Fundamental English & Maths with more focus on social & survival skills. Very focus on the development of working skills so that the children will be able to survive working in the real world. Skills such as baking, cleaning, ICT.
Aqil has surprised us more often than not with his usage of big, bombastic words which a normal child wouldn't even be using in their daily speech. But Aqil is not into writing at all...it is very difficult to get him to sit down and write the alphabets even.
He loves drawing definitely...and he's very good with the ipad. We are so confused....NO! I AM THE ONE CONFUSED AND IN DILEMMA! *sobs*
During the visit to Eden, it was quite an eye opener. Being able to talk with parents similar to us is definitely helping. Heard that Pathlight could be stressing for special needs children...because like it or not, they still have to take the tests & exams as per norm.
Yesterday was Aqil's visit to his main doctor, Prof Ho at KKH. Based on Aqil's psychological report, he too recommends special schools for Aqil. However, he did mentioned that if Aqil excels academically...he can be trasferred to Pathlight to follow the mainstream curriculum. And one thing which is true is that...for children with special needs, it might take some time to discover their talents. Its never impossible.
We are really taking a step at a time. We do not wanna look so much into the future...coz seriously, we are not sure what the future holds. But we definitely know that we want him to have the essential social & survival skills. Academic achievement can always be achieve later...no matter what age.
We hope we'll make the right decision for him. This feeling of lost can be scary...too scary that more often than not...I always try not to think about it.
The image that we potray is definitely not what we actually feel. We have to stay strong & positive...not to be undermined. We'll definitely give the best we can...and we hope it will also be the best for him.
Ya Rabb...we seek thy guidance...we seek thy empathy...
But its different for Aqil...because he's special...he has special needs. The normal mainstream schools are definitely not for him. Being a teacher...having seen special needs children in mainstream...I know. And as a mother, I'd like my child's needs to be catered to as much as possible. Not to provide special attention...just to understand his needs, his differences.
And we thought we have decided but it turns out the opposite. We realise Pathlight follows mainstream curriculum. So if we choose Pathlight, it will be similar to Aqil attending a mainstream school except for the fact that in a much better environment where his needs will be catered to as much as possible.
But the psychological report suggests otherwise. Aqil's IQ is found to be quite low...not suitable for mainstream. He has been recommended special schools instead.
We went to have a look at Eden School which specialises in autism. Fundamental English & Maths with more focus on social & survival skills. Very focus on the development of working skills so that the children will be able to survive working in the real world. Skills such as baking, cleaning, ICT.
Aqil has surprised us more often than not with his usage of big, bombastic words which a normal child wouldn't even be using in their daily speech. But Aqil is not into writing at all...it is very difficult to get him to sit down and write the alphabets even.
He loves drawing definitely...and he's very good with the ipad. We are so confused....NO! I AM THE ONE CONFUSED AND IN DILEMMA! *sobs*
During the visit to Eden, it was quite an eye opener. Being able to talk with parents similar to us is definitely helping. Heard that Pathlight could be stressing for special needs children...because like it or not, they still have to take the tests & exams as per norm.
Yesterday was Aqil's visit to his main doctor, Prof Ho at KKH. Based on Aqil's psychological report, he too recommends special schools for Aqil. However, he did mentioned that if Aqil excels academically...he can be trasferred to Pathlight to follow the mainstream curriculum. And one thing which is true is that...for children with special needs, it might take some time to discover their talents. Its never impossible.
We are really taking a step at a time. We do not wanna look so much into the future...coz seriously, we are not sure what the future holds. But we definitely know that we want him to have the essential social & survival skills. Academic achievement can always be achieve later...no matter what age.
We hope we'll make the right decision for him. This feeling of lost can be scary...too scary that more often than not...I always try not to think about it.
The image that we potray is definitely not what we actually feel. We have to stay strong & positive...not to be undermined. We'll definitely give the best we can...and we hope it will also be the best for him.
Ya Rabb...we seek thy guidance...we seek thy empathy...
