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The competition was tough for Haziq during the ASEAN Para Games in December 2015. He was the youngest participant amongst all. Nevertheless, Haziq had an enjoyable experience, learning from his mistakes. He felt shaky at the starting point but stayed focused on the race and kept running until the end. He reminded himself,“ I overcome my fear and never give up until I reached the finish line.”
Haziq has good memories of going out with friends, training and watching movies together. He does miss his teachers, particularly the ones who gave him support and were kind to him over the years. He said,“ I still keep in touch with Ms Shen Peiyi and Ms Tamil Selvi.” He also misses the canteen food, especially the nasi lemak from the Malay stall.
I Am Just Special …
Aden was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum
Disorder( ASD) when he was three years old. He was enrolled in the Early Intervention Programme for Infants and Children( EIPIC) programme.
When he was five years old, we tried to enrol him in a kindergarten at various locations near our home. We were turned away as most of the kindergarten principals mentioned that they do not have the resources to support his learning needs. They were worried that, in addition to his slow development in gross and fine motor skills, he would be disruptive in class and will have difficulty integrating into the normal education curriculum.
We were eventually referred by KK Women’ s and Children’ s Hospital to enrol him at Presbyterian Community Services childcare centre in Ang Mo Kio where they had the Intervention cum Education( ICE) programme to help Aden integrate into a kindergarten class with normal children. Aden underwent ICE and emerged a different child. He was compliant and not disruptive in class and more
His class teacher in 2015, Mrs Joyce Chua described Haziq as being responsible and well-mannered, respected by peers and teachers. Ms Shen, the discipline mistress( AM) said,“ Haziq is a motivated leader. He is always willing to accept constructive feedback and learn from his mistakes. As a prefect, he was responsible and helpful toward his fellow mates. He assisted me in training the newcomers in various duties. He was resilient, diligent and constantly wanting to improve himself.’’
Haziq would like to motivate others with special needs with these words of encouragement;“ Concentrate in class, focus on what you are doing. Study. Never give up when you fail, try again and again!”
Story by parent of Aden, PCS Ang Mo Kio Childcare
willing to socialise with other children. He integrated smoothly into K1 and is currently in K2. He has since gradually improved in his social interaction skills.
We are indeed grateful and fortunate to have enrolled Aden into the ICE programme. It is because of this programme that he is now having lessons with normal children. His progression and improvement resulted in us having confidence to enrol him into a mainstream primary school. This would not have been possible if there were no support for his special education needs. It is through the hard work and dedication of the ICE teacher and childcare teachers that Aden is now able to integrate into the normal education curriculum.
“ It is through the hard work and dedication of the ICE teacher and kindergarten teachers that Aden is now able to integrate into the normal education curriculum.”
Inspiring Lives Beyond Services