Advocate for Inclusion and Neurodiversity

I spent my whole Saturday today "working" for a good cause. I wouldn't have wanted to spend my Saturday in any other way. Working for a  cause  I personally believe in, for and with a community I belong to. In the morning, I met with an autistic person from Australia, together with my Singaporean adult autistic friends. How awesome, enriching and enlightening to hear from a person who is an autistic, a mum of autistic children, and a teacher. Plus from Australia, a leading country in autism and inclusion matters! Such a rare gem. In the afternoon, I was involved in a meeting with the Autism Resource Centre (Singapore) (ARC(S)) to brainstorm some ideas for next year, together with other ARC clients and staff. In the evening, I met with my team of organisers (all autistics) for a year-end community gathering we are organising for autistics and their family members. All back to back, with not much break in between except meals and commuting.  But I had the drive ,...

The beneficiaries of my company's CSR event today included autism schools. I volunteered with the team of volunteers who played the role of hosts __________________ THE EXPERIENCE (MORNING) In the morning, my sub-team hosted an autism-focused school which integrates mainstream academic curriculum together with life readiness skills in their school programme. I told the teachers I am autistic too. It was an enriching experience to relate to like-minded students whom I see so much of myself in them and able to connect with within the first 5 minutes of conversing.  More importantly, by the way they communicate, and express themselves, I saw so much potential in them to be the next generation of autistic leaders to further our cause for our autism community. Before they left the event, I told some of the school teachers these: When I see these students, I see hope I hope they can build/groom this next generation of leaders to build our future - the future ...