The play

As part of our attempt to incorporate innovative campaign methods, our group has come up with a short play.

The play is about the ordeals of an autistic child Ah Boy. After buying his dinner one day, Ah Boy couldn’t find his way home. The camera then follows his encounter with the public who uncaringly shove him away when asked to help him return home.

Emotional and witty at the same time, the play examines our apathy and indifference towards the autistic people.

The play will be performed in various public places such as the library as well as schools in order to broaden our reach.

Feature Story: The Caregiver

“I knew that something was wrong, but the shock that came with the news still swept me off the ground.”

Receiving a diagnosis of autism is overwhelming for most parents, as should be the case. Madam Nurfarahin had a similar experience. In spite of her initial reactions though, the bond between mother and child was not affected in the slightest sense and much was done in order to assimilate her child into the family.

In reply to how she managed to cope, Madam Nurfarahin emphasized that “Autism was not as scary as we perceive it to be”. She shares, that our misconceptions of Autism fosters an aversion from Autism. The relative lack of interaction with Autistic children coupled with the musings of our imagination led to a growing misunderstanding of Autism. When Madam Nurfarahin first received the diagnosis from her doctor, her imagination ran wild and she just could not conceive the idea of bringing up an Autistic child. “It just seemed impossible at that time!”

Yet, she relates now, “Autistic children are just like any other children”, if not for the few impairments they possess. It is of paramount importance that we cast away our misconceptions and treat them just like any other, albeit with a little more care and concern. Despite the difficulties which Autistic children face, they are equally responsive to our love.

Madam Nurfarahin hopes that society will cast away any negative opinions and re-alter their mindsets. The Autistic community and their family already have much on their minds to worry about. “The occasional glances or mutters from people around my family when we go out was utterly demoralizing initially, but over time, I just ignored them.” Nevertheless, she is concerned about what it tells of the society and the signals that we are sending. A gap exists between the Autistic community and the rest of society. This gap stems from a lack of understanding of Autism and what it entails. As a result, we have false conceptions and conclusions. Unless this gap in understanding is bridged, it would be almost impossible to assimilate the Autistic community into our society.

“I am worried for my daughter. When I’m gone… She might face a lot of problems in the future…” Madam Nurfarahin adds. Her hopes for her daughter are clouded by the tumultuous process that will occur before independence in the society can be gained. “Now, I can only hope for the best for her.”
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What is most scary for the Autistic community lies not in the difficulties which have to be overcome. With determination, those can be dealt with in time. The stumbling block in their journey however lies in society. No matter what has been done, it amounts to nothing if we, the rest, are unprepared in welcoming them.

If two hands can ever fail at clapping, it would be due to a lack of will, drive and determination from both parties. The Autistic community has been trying all this while. Is it time for us to look up and join them with a smile?



Please pen down your thoughts and give us your comments!

Feature Story: Autistic Person

The reply issued to my final question distills the social constraints that predate the autistic community in Singapore and beyond. “Treat Autistic people the same way as you would treat others” was the one message Samuel Giam aged 19, wanted to convey to the world. Unlike peers his age, Samuel encounters various difficulties in day-to-day activities. Relating his plight with a powerful honesty, which draws you in, he laments of his problems in social communication, concentration and meeting academic demands.

As if his problems were not enough, he bears the brunt of school mischief and bullying. Feelings of betrayal and sorrow from a secondary school incident remain poignant for him till today. Hailing from Assumption English School, his social circle primarily consisted of two schoolmates. Two schoolmates whom he shared a close friendship with, and opened out to. Little did he know that they did not perceive him in a similar light. One incident of collaborative mischief with other schoolmates resulted in the appropriation of his Playstation Portable (PSP).

Hurting, not so much from the permanent material lost but rather the revealing of a superficial friendship, Samuel entered an even darker period of his life, pushing everybody out and allowing the seed of mistrust to flourish. Disconnecting himself from two friends whom were perhaps his primary connection to the outside world, he had alienated himself, both physically and mentally.

As he relates now, albeit in a more pensive manner, he “did not dare to trust anyone else, after meeting such nasty people. They were thieves and robbers.”

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Samuel’s life is an excellent insight into the ordeals the Autistic community faces. It does not take much to identify the cold and callous attitude the public holds towards Autism, or the event-evoked sympathy that often fades the next day. An uncaring public attitude underpins the struggles faced. Rather than being understood, Autistic people have often been taught only to understand. Not to attempt to step out of the comfort zone. Yet, as Samuel reveals, these are not things in life that he desires for.

He hopes that one-day:

1)he would be able to lead a fully independent life, including finding a job to sustain himself financially.

2)Others in the autistic community are given more freedom, and are allowed to gain exposure and experience in the outside world.

3)Autistic people are treated as equals, not as “idiots and morons”

Ultimately, this all boils down to one point: understanding. We cannot seek to administer social rehabilitation without a great degree of understanding. People of the present age falls into two categories, the first, while being sympathetic, are absolutely clueless about Autism and often generate false conclusions about their abilities. The second group discards Autistic people as social rejects and refuses to work with them. Both groups reflect a selfish and warped perception of Autistic people. Only with understanding, can we bridge the gap between the Autistic Community and us. Samuel, wide-eyed with optimism hopes to be accepted as a part of society one day. Through voicing out, the Autistic community has already taken the first step. Are we ready to take ours?



Please pen down your thoughts and give us your comments!