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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