MDM JANICE OW YOUNG
STORY OF DANIEL
Daniel Toh was diagnosed with Asperger ’ s Syndrome , and is under the Special Educational Needs Programme in school .
Daniel had put Clementi Town Secondary School as his first choice school , disregarding some popular schools and the school designated with support for his special educational needs ( SEN ) in autism . He could feel the affinity to this school from the beginning . I was rather worried for him as there would not be the same SEN support that he used to have in primary school , but I was appeased when I first visited the school after the allocation result was announced .
I could still recall during the Secondary One Orientation , the principal that year , personally assured me that the school would provide all the support necessary to ensure that he could fit in , even though this school was not a designated special needs school for his condition . Later the new principal continued to do that and made every effort through the teachers to address my concerns for my son .
All the teachers who had taught him during these four years had shown much care and patience for him once they knew of his special condition , Asperger ’ s Syndrome . The teachers kept me closely updated on the progress of his studies , Co-curricular Activities and interaction with his classmates . This partnership and open communication , along with feedback to the psychologists and psychiatrist at the Child Guidance Clinic ( IMH ) helped him to adjust and cope with changes and anxiety during his school life .
As Daniel prepared for his O-level examinations , he found it very stressful , but due to his condition , he could not express his anxiety and developed depression in the second half of 2012 . He avoided going to school and did not complete his assignments . The teachers and his close buddies were very understanding and concerned for him . The teachers offered to tutor him in his weaker subjects and his friends studied with him after classes at school .
When Daniel did not want to attend school and even failed to go for most of his preliminary examination papers , the teachers came for home visits and the classparent even went with me to the Child Guidance Clinic to see the psychiatrist so that we could find a feasible strategy to motivate him to take the O-level examinations . Another teacher even made it a point to fetch Daniel for the three morning papers during the O-level examinations , so that he would not be late or try to skip the papers by not wanting to wake up . These teachers have displayed such dedication , professionalism and perseverance in helping their students to achieve . This is what made CTSS so unique and endearing to Daniel and me .
Daniel was happy in CTSS . He made some lasting friendships , a thing that was difficult in his condition if not for the willing and caring hands extended to him . He had been successful as he focused on his strong subjects , Maths and Science . With the school recognising his talents in these areas , and by placing him in special training programmes and sending him to participate in competitions and Olympiads , he won several awards including a Gold award and an overall tenth position in the Singapore Junior Chemistry Olympiad 2012 .
Daniel had received so much encouragement from his teachers and friends that he had found courage and self-confidence to continue in his academic journey . He even envisioned a future in helping to develop clean energy when he passed his O-level .
Daniel is currently studying at Singapore Polytechnic .
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