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Hello from Singapore (parent)

Lhinn

Warm greetings. My name is Lhinn, parent to Anjalika, aged 17. She was born in London, diagnosed with "tendencies on the autistic spectrum" in St Mary's hospital at age 2. We were under Westminster ILEA special needs funding at the time and were part of the first batch of families who trained with Drs Vince Carbone and Patrick McGreevy of Verbal Behaviour, Florida (period of 1999 - late 2000).

She's moved from non-verbal to moderate to high functioning. And has been quite well integrated in mainstream education with few behavioural issues. Very pleasant, personable, affectionate, gentle and friendly. Main issue is aphasia which affects her ability to remember facts and express verbally.

We have been living in Singapore since she was five. She's just finished IGCSEs with five passes and has started IB at certificate level (AO level equivalent). I have been thinking of moving back to London as higher education options are somewhat limited here with possible discrimination for poly diploma courses for our area of interest (Health Sciences, occupational therapy).

She's keen on higher education and I want to give her the best possible opportunities. 

Would love to reconnect with parents of that programme. I lost all touch when I moved back to Singapore. And have been out of the therapy since she was 9.

PS: I'd just like to add, my daughter's father (ex-husband) has undiagnosed Asperger's. 

  • Hi IntenseWorld,

    Yes, getting a formal diagnosis does sound like the way to go.

    These are all excellent points.

    She had significant developmental delay and her language ability is at least a few years behind her chronological age so it isn't Asperger's. She's doing average to below average in school but what I really dislike is the school starting to harp on the autism label as an excuse for inadequate teaching when I didn't say a word to them until she was about 15. She's demonstrated time and again it's certain individual teachers that make a difference.

    Lots to think about. Thank you for your great comments.

  • It sounds like your daughter could actually have Asperger's or high-functioning autism and has fallen victim to the clinical attitude (that still pervades and resists change) that autism is a male condition.  Likely 15 years ago it was an entrenched attitude.  Studies are now identifying the differences in female presentation but research struggles to feed through to clinicians.

    You sound like a very supportive parent and your daughter has excelled academically with your support.

    If you do move to the UK it might be worth getting your daughter re-assessed because "having autistic tendencies" is not a diagnosis as such, certainly not a full one and you would want your daughter to have access to any supports she might need.  Asperger's and autism are legally recognised disabilities.  It's not unusual still, sadly for children or adults to get told "autistic behaviours" "autistic tendencies" etc. and get fobbed off without a diagnosis - especially with females.