Autism Awareness Day 2022 and My Story

2 April is sanctioned by the UN as World Autism Awareness Day. In Singapore, the whole month of April is declared by Autism Network Singapore as Autism Awareness Month.

This year, ANS together with the Nut Graf, has published a series of 10 stories of persons on the autism spectrum, their caregivers and their care staff. #ThisIsMe will share with the rest of Singapore the stories of persons on the autism spectrum - their dreams, aspirations and challenges. They don't need fixing. The mutual understanding, acceptance and adjustments for all of us (autistic or not) to become the best versions of ourselves - is just that - mutual.

I was asked to ask you to go read and support this year's efforts to promote autism awareness in Singapore through #ThisIsMe. Please do check out the stories at the Autism Network Singapore facebook.

I was also asked to share my own story of autism. I will share just a little. Best you read the great stories written by Nutgraf and the team.

My son, Jun-Yi, was diagnosed more than 20 years ago.

It was through raising him that I grew to know and serve in a world very different from my early days in the business world.

Jun-Yi and many like him, taught me never to judge a book by its cover; and to truly appreciate the diversity they bring to our world.

I am blessed that my journey raising Jun-Yi is so enjoyable and enlightening; and allows me to choose a path less trodden; and oh, so different from the trajectory expected of an executive from a corporate, MNC background.

God has given JY a pleasant and pure heart. He has also blessed him with an ability to draw - mainly animals - and he is one of the 5 animal artists in The Animal Project Singapore, a social enterprise his father set up for them.

JY may not be able to talk much or well. At age 27, his hobby is still watching his favourite animal cartoons. But his role as a life transformer certainly impacted our family and many whose paths he crossed. That, he has no idea of.

This month, as the autism community celebrates Autism Awareness, know that each autistic person is like the rest of us - same same but different. Do not ignore nor just tolerate them; accept them, value them and celebrate the neurodiversity they bring to life.

ANS partners :

#AutismAssociationSingapore #AutismResourceCentreSingapore #AWWA #RainbowCentre #StAndrewsAutismCentre