Advocate for Inclusion and Neurodiversity

Riding through COVID-19 with Hope Written by Wesley Loh, Autistic Advocate NOT to be reproduced without written permission of the author We are facing a global pandemic called COVID-19 The worst crisis in decades we have seen Or at least, so nations worldwide deem Daily sharp increases of cases, while we continue mourning in our wait for a vaccine Many shops close down, from retail to non-essential services to office & school canteen The silence in the malls and street, what an unusual scene   Everyone is barred from meeting physically, we wonder how our family and friends have been As we work and study from home, staring at the screen What a major disruption to our routine We must stand united and cooperate if we want to emerge from this crisis strong and supreme   Stay at home and keep your home clean Be considerate to others, don’t behave like you are the Queen Work or study hard, but take breaks in between , for you are human, not a machine K

https://www.sourcekids.com.au/learning-to-be-autistic-a-personal-perspective-and-my-advice-to-parents/ As I read this story, I just feel so encouraged and inspired by this autistic person who has on one hand gone through much and achieved much and on the other hand, still value and impart the importance of embracing one's own autism and self-acceptance .. which are fundamentally very important to our very existence   I encourage my readers to click on the link above to read her story. Her story speaks for itself and it won't do justice for me to re-tell or regurgitate her story here, lest I dilute it. She is her own voice. What I will do, however, is list down life   lessons I think we can ALL take away from it. I have categorised them according to what I feel is most important to a certain group/category of people, but of course some lessons can be applied across various categories of people  _______________ LIFE LESSONS FOR AUTISTICS   #1:  Preserve your own mental heal

To all my beloved autistic friends, and caregivers of autistics, out there... it can be challenging adjusting to the changes/disruption to routines & lifestyle as malls,offices,tuition & childcare centres shut down operations with effect from Tuesday, as a circuit breaker to the COVID-19 spread. Some personal tips: ● If your routine involves going out to certain malls/places on weekends (or on any fixed days/timings), take this TRANSITION PERIOD to perform your comfort routine as usual (before they shut down on Tuesday) for the last time in some time. Malls are more quiet, with less people, this period [see 2nd picture for evidence] which may mean less sensory issues to cope with there. ● PRE-EMPT but making ADJUSTMENTS and PREPARING yourself for this transition... modify your routine to fit this "stay home" period. E.g. can certain routines/hobbies you like to perform outside, be performed/done at home (or virtually from home) instead?

Autism Acceptance 2020 Poem This month we celebrate Autism Acceptance This annual occasion never turns into one of obsolescence But is one we await with renewed expectance What does this really mean in essence Awareness is already omnipresent What we need so dearly is acceptance Kindness, love and affection All too often we autistics find others keeping a distance Or denying us into that their social circle an admittance Because they don’t understand our difference Must our interaction with the world be met with so much resistance Causing this to accumulate within us a sense of sadness and resentment? Everyone has differing personalities and needs, we are no exception Exercise some patience, compassion and forbearance That we may reciprocate likewise, instead of in vengeance Pardon a bit of awkwardness when into social events we make an entrance Like a party or a wedding reception We are sincere in showing our support through our attendance