SpecialKids Child Health & Development Clinic

05/09/2024

Chester (OT) and Eva (SLT) with Sharon and their teacher day gifts! 🤩❤️

30/08/2024

‘The best teachers teach from the heart, not from the book—Horace Mann.’ Happy Teacher’s Day to our dear therapists at SpecialKids Clinic ❤️🤩

Left to right: Eva, Hernina (Speech & Language Therapists) and Chester (Occupational Therapist)

23/08/2024

Rising numbers of adults are being diagnosed with neurodivergence, including those who are parents

https://www.todayonline.com/features/neurodivergent-parents-kids-trials-joys-2475956

SINGAPORE — The early days of motherhood are intense for any parent, but when Ms Andrea Koh gave birth to her son in 2017, the experience felt so overwhelming that she found herself making mistakes even when doing simple tasks.

08/08/2024

01/08/2024

Burgers must be whole - a wonderful restaurant

I want to share the experience that my husband, 7 year old autistic sister and I had today at the Chili’s location in Midvale, UT. Arianna, my little sister, didn’t waste any time when our waitress, Lauren, greeted us at our table. Arianna promptly ordered her cheeseburger with pickles, french fries, and chocolate milk before Lauren could even take our drink order.
Lauren smiled and told Arianna, “Okay! I’ll be right back with your chocolate milk!”. When we got our food I was wondering why Arianna wouldn’t touch her cheeseburger, but was going to town on her french fries. I asked her, “Arianna are you going to eat your cheeseburger?” She calmly said, “No, I don’t want it.” Cheeseburgers, or ‘Krabby Patties’ as we sometimes call them, are her FAVORITE! So this behavior was VERY strange. So I asked her, “Why don’t you want it?”. She replied, “It’s broken. I need another one thats fixed.” Then it dawned on me why she wasn’t eating it. It’s because it was cut in half. Being a child with autism, she has to have certain things in a particular order at all times.
One slight change in her routine can change the course of the day instantly. When Lauren came back to check on us, I asked if we could order another cheeseburger and just add it to our check. She had a concerned look on her face so I explained that Arianna has autism, and that in her mind, because the cheeseburger was cut in half, she thinks its broken and can’t eat it. I told Lauren I knew it sounded silly, but if we could just order an additional one we will gladly pay for it because there was nothing wrong with the one that was originally brought out.
Lauren was so sweet and just smiled and went along with Arianna, telling her “I brought you a broken cheeseburger?! You know what, I’ll have them cook you a new one!” I loved this because rather than just taking it from the table, she actually TOLD Arianna what she was doing. While this seems insignificant, by her telling Arianna what she was doing, we avoided a melt down. The manager, Bradley Cottermole, then came to our table, kneeled down, and said to Arianna, “I heard we gave you a broken cheeseburger! I am so sorry about that! We are making you a brand new one that isn’t broken, with pickles! I’ll bring you some french fries to munch on while you’re waiting, ok?” A couple of minutes later, Lauren arrived back at our table with cheeseburger #2. Arianna said, “OH FANK YOU! You fixded my cheeseburger!” When Lauren walked away, Arianna just sat there for a second and looked at her new burger.
She looked like so deep in thought....just staring at it....then she let out a big ”OH I missed you!!” and started kissing the burger over and over again. I showed Lauren this picture and said, “I think we glorified the cheeseburger too much!” She busted up laughing, and asked if she could go show her manager. She came back a minute later and said she showed everyone in the back kitchen area too, and that it made them all laugh and smile.
I was so touched by this experience. Especially since I know people who have been asked to leave restaurants when their child with autism is being disruptive. I expected a few different things with this scenario based on past experiences, but I did NOT expect such kind and compassionate mannerisms from Lauren and Bradley. Everyone, from the hostess to the chef, played a role in what most people would think isn’t a big deal. But this entirely shaped how the rest of our day would go. I know...a cheeseburger cut in half literally could make or break our day. In this case thanks to the professionalism of the crew in Midvale, it made our day. And I’m sure Arianna brightened up at least one of the employees days with her silly little personality. Thank you.
Credit: Anna Kaye MacLean ( respect 🫡)

01/08/2024

Happy Nurses Day to these ladies and who play a big part in keeping clinic running everyday, with shouts of laughter and warmth 😝 You’re a big help to our clinical staff and our patients ❤️ Thank you for all your help

Special shoutout also to Aunty Catherine as well who diligently keeps the clinic clean everyday 🥰

01/08/2024

Happy Nurses Day - to our nurses and all who serve as front counter staff as well (sometimes you get forgotten) and all who provide nursing care in one way or another to serve! 🙆🏻‍♀️

29/07/2024

https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/overcoming-adhd-indonesian-archer-aims-for-olympic-glory

The disorder is what made her switch from pencak silat to archery when she was a child. Read more at straitstimes.com.

20/06/2024

Lego creation by 1 of my patients yesterday - a 9y/o boy

20/06/2024

Why does dyslexia go undiagnosed? Very bright children often find ways to compensate in primary school but can struggle to cope with the greater intellectual demands in secondary school.

If you suspect your child may have dyslexia, it’s a good idea to get them tested! Contact us to find out more.

17/06/2024

To all our Muslim friends: Selemat Hari Raya Haji!

16/06/2024

Wishing all the papas out there a Happy Father’s Day! We love you! The joys of fatherhood are many!

Fathers are such a diverse group of people: dads to be, dads that are, dads that aren't around, step dads, single dads, foster dads and dads that have passed. Dads have such a big impact on us. They teach us, hold us and walk with us in big and quiet ways. For all those celebrating today, happy father’s day! For those still wrestling with broken relationships, we know it’s not easy on either side. Keeping you in our thoughts today. ❤️🙏

Illustration by | Love your warm and lively depictions of life!

27/05/2024

Many conditions are interlinked and overlapping. This is a great pictorial put together by Prof Amanda Kirby!

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/profamandakirby_this-is-my-latest-iteration-of-showing-some-activity-7197498654381723648-_pgw?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios

21/05/2024

Wishing all who celebrate this day, a happy vesak day. 🪷 And to those who don't, a restful mid-week break!

13/05/2024

Running full written paper length mock PSLE exams!
Many schools don’t give them the experience of the full length. This is a chance to feel it and do it before prelims crash on them.
Do sign up! Limited spaces only.

12/05/2024

Happy Mother’s Day 💐 to all the mummies out there! Mummies to be, mummies to new born babies, mummies to schooling children, mummies to teenage children, mummies to adult children, mummies to children who have passed, and mummies who have passed. There’s nothing quite like this bond we have. Thank you for loving us with all that you are. We love you 💗

01/05/2024

Wishing everyone a happy labour day!!

26/04/2024

Attention, parents of P6s!

If your child's school has not prepared them for full-length papers, facing them for the first time at prelims will be challenging. Get your child a chance to experience what PSLE feels like before they sit for prelims!

Sign up for our Mock Exam Practice at The SKILT Centre! Only 8 slots are available per exam! Don't miss this opportunity! Whatsapp us to book your slot!

For tutor-invigilator profiles, FAQs and exam start and end times:
https://www.theskiltcentre.com.sg/psle-mock-exam-practice-june-2024

02/04/2024

Every child is special. Autistic children are no different; no two are the same. Let’s continue to advocate for, support, celebrate, and recognise each individual’s unique contributions to society as they grow and mature!

31/03/2024

Today we celebrate Easter Sunday! The tomb is empty, He is risen! May the reconciling work of Christ continue to be seen in our lives today. 💗✨

16/02/2024

The other bunch of beauties with their blessing hongbaos 🧧🧧 from Dr Lian 😍

14/02/2024

Everyone looking radiant on 初五！Dr Lian and some of our clinic team with their little blessing hongbaos 🍊🍊🧧 Thank you Dr Lian!

08/02/2024

Wishing you a blessed lunar new year filled with cheer and joy from our clinic and admin team! May this time of celebration and rest be filled with good times with your loved ones 😘😤

12/01/2024

People with ADHD aren’t just fast talkers or good at being creative.

The tendencies they have that may present as challenges can also be developed into great strengths. They are good at going deep into topics that fascinate them, handling crisis situations, master new hobbies, having a sense of humour, being authentic and so much more!

01/01/2024

A lunch treat from Dr Lian to end 2023! From our team at clinic, happy new year everyone! 🥳 May 2024 be filled with more opportunities for growth and deeper friendships!

25/12/2023

Wishing everyone a very merry Christmas from us over at clinic!

Featuring some delicious lemon tarts from Dr Lian 😋

24/11/2023

There's more to ADHD than just fidgeting or having trouble focusing.

Get in touch with us to make an appointment if you suspect your child might have might have ADHD.

12/11/2023

To our colleagues and friends who celebrate this day, happy Deepavali!

10/10/2023

Sharing this for world mental health today. To all parents with special needs kids, the journey can feel long and burdensome. Take heart when you can glimpse your child's emotions and feel their needs in the midst of their challenging behaviours, and try to remember they do love you. Be blessed.

Taken from Find Rest by Shaunti Feldhahn

06/10/2023

Wishing all of our SpecialKids a happy Children’s Day! We hope you enjoyed your day of play and celebration! Look out for some pictures we’ll be sharing over at of our Early Intervention Programme celebrations!