1/15
This is a long post. Triggered. Our son is 24 years old. He has autism (diagnosed at the age of 19 months, and NOT by Google). Among others, his ability to speak is limited. When he's happy, he jumps up & down & claps his hands, laughing out loudly & like a ball of energy..

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..imagine a supersized energizer bunny. Because he's inarticulate, he uses alternative communication. However, it happens that he just runs out of what he could form out as words in his mouth or utilize a way to communicate his intent. He can grow frustrated at not being
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able to get his meaning across. So, he yells and yells. At times, it isn't easy to stop it even though we have established key words that ought to help him simmer down. If not, I just let him blow that steam off until he cries. He cries like someone has died...howling even
4/15
He cries out of that frustration until he gets tired and stops. It is upsetting and breaks my heart each time.
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I admit that when he was younger, we didn't bring him out as much because we didn't want him to make others uncomfortable. But now, I take the view that this is just wrong. This behavior does not define who he is. He is obedient (the most out of my three kids),
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has a ready smile & smooch, considerate & hearty. I'll not deny my son his pursuit of happiness (he loves the mall & eating out). He's already limited, why would I set more boundaries? As his family, we do our best to protect him. We do this out of love, not because of pride
7/15
Please allow me to just debunk what has been said that "one word from a responsible parent is enough to make a child quiet down". This statement rolled off someone's tongue who either has no kids or likely was indifferent to his own.
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Even a "normal" child, in certain situations, would be hard to quiet down. As for our son, since he was diagnosed, to the best of our abilities, we have not stopped in tapping resources to optimize his ability to communicate (both ways, to be on the giving and receiving end)
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How could we not? Any parent would give anything to have lucid conversation with their child. But the reality is, there are cases in which this is not attainable in the conventional way. So we adjust, we accommodate.
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Our society is governed by rules of convention, how this and that should be done. If one acts outside of these, knowing glances and snide comments abound. The result: intolerance, bias, discrimination, even hate. This happens in a non-inclusive environment, meaning,
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there is no consideration, no empathy for those who may be differently abled or situated. I wonder, did even-handedness in applying policy mean exercising equality or equity? That difference is huge. This is what #PlantationBay does not get. Call a spade a spade.
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#PlantationBay is NOT supportive of the community of parents with children who have special needs. But in the off chance they really want to be supportive, learn more about the differently abled. Huwag lang Gu-gelin. Katamaran yan and most insincere.
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Sit down and consult with experts, with the families. See and appreciate our situation by trying to even stand in our own shoes. Then talk to us about equitable application of policies. That is real even-handedness.
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Lastly, what happened here was not an isolated case at all. It happens everyday and everywhere. I am not glad at all that Fin and his mom got to experience this and what should have been a fun memorable time made forgettable.
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But since it has happened, let's take the conversation further towards opening more participation and productive channels, policies for tolerance and acceptance. I live in hope that these would translate into action.

More from Life

How to get smarter very fast:

Interact with smart people here on Twitter who have different world-views than you do.

And let them change your mind on something.

Here are the 30 people you should follow (along with my favorite tweet from each)👇👇

Twitter can be terrible if you follow negative people.

It can also be more valuable than a college degree if you follow (and network with) the right people.

You get to look right into their brain and read a daily narrative of HOW they think.

Ok lets go:

#1: @ShaanVP

You know he's all about venture capital based entrepreneurship. I'm about small (non-sexy) business. We disagree on a lot of stuff.

But he's done it and he's won. Bonus follow: @theSamParr (@myfirstmilpod podcast


#2: @fortworthchris

He is where I want to be in 15 years. Has built a massive real estate private equity firm from the ground up. Super grounded with what the way he does business and his podcast @theFORTpodcast is top


#3: @Julian

I'm a scattered thinker and procrastinator.

Julian is a master of clear thinking and simple but effective writing. A world class example of content marketing and
1/ Here’s a list of conversational frameworks I’ve picked up that have been helpful.

Please add your own.

2/ The Magic Question: "What would need to be true for you


3/ On evaluating where someone’s head is at regarding a topic they are being wishy-washy about or delaying.

“Gun to the head—what would you decide now?”

“Fast forward 6 months after your sabbatical--how would you decide: what criteria is most important to you?”

4/ Other Q’s re: decisions:

“Putting aside a list of pros/cons, what’s the *one* reason you’re doing this?” “Why is that the most important reason?”

“What’s end-game here?”

“What does success look like in a world where you pick that path?”

5/ When listening, after empathizing, and wanting to help them make their own decisions without imposing your world view:

“What would the best version of yourself do”?

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