Q My six-year-old son, who has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, is attending a special school. Should I enrol him in a mainstream school when he goes to Primary 1 next year? Also, I can delay enrolling him for primary school for up to two years. Should I do that? Lastly, he can opt out of studying Mother Tongue. Should I let him do that?
A Your concerns are typical of any parent with a special needs child. You want so much for him to enjoy and benefit from mainstream schooling, and harbour the hope that it would better enable him to develop like the rest of his peers.
However, you should never overlook that you have a very special child who will learn to excel in life quite differently from others.
In my view, one of the most important issues right now is to ensure that he develops awareness, understanding and self-confidence about the fact that while he may not develop academically like others, he is still capable of great things in his own way.
I am not in a position to assess whether your child will fare better in a mainstream school or in a special needs system. But I am inclined to favour the latter. Not only will it ensure your son does not have to cope with the pressures of a majority-led system, but it should also ensure that he can enjoy his schooling and build selfesteem at his own pace and in his own fashion.
As for the matter of studying Mother Tongue, his life will of course be a lot easier if he opted out of it to focus on the other academic subjects. But his mother tongue is something he could eventually derive much benefit from.
Therefore, I suggest you do not opt out yet. Monitor his progress and if you feel that it is not proving too much of a burden to him, allow him to continue.
Dr Carol Balhetchet, who answered this question, is director of Youth Services at Singapore Children’s Society.
Dr Christina Ong, who answered this question, is associate consultant in the Department of Paediatrics at University Children’s Medical Institute, National University Hospital. The institute provides comprehensive and specialised neonatal and paediatric services, as well as a 24-hour Children’s Emergency service.
Go to www.nuhkids.com
