The definition of autism from the Oxford Dictionary is “a mental condition, present from early childhood, characterized by great difficulty in communicating and forming relationships with other people and in using language and abstract concepts.”
Autism is a condition that affects people from engaging in effective communication. My brother’s condition of autism let me have a good understanding of the difficulties experienced by autistic individuals in conveying their message across to others.
Autistic individuals are not the only ones suffering; the people around them do suffer as well. It hurts me very much to see my brother getting frustrated with my mother when he is unable to bring the message across to the rest of the family because I know not much can be done to resolve this case of miscommunication.
From my brother’s condition, I saw a case with a complete absence of effective communication and truly understand the importance of it to not only me, but also everyone in this world.
Currently in my final semester of my university life, I am about to embark on a job search very soon. Stepping out into the working society where communicating effectively with people is essential to career success made me take up this module as a self-improvement course, hoping to excel in communication or at least grasp the basics of it. So here I am, writing my first blog post for this module! (:
hello hwee teng!
ReplyDeleteYour blog post not only taught me the importance of communication, it also reminded me that we should learn from our daily experiences that most of us would have taken for granted.
I feel that your experience is really one that few can empathize with. However, it is really great to know that you are taking things positively from your brother's condition.
Hope this course will be a stepping stone for your future career! (:
Hello Hwee Teng! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing that part of your life with us, my heart goes out to you and also other families in the same situation.
I once had a conversation with my ex-colleague who has an autistic kid and currently the little boy is attending a special school. His sharing has really help me understand the kind of stress and emotion turmoil that he and his wife went through. Certainly it isn't easy for them, and i believe its not easy for you too. One lesson that i have learnt from him was to stay optimistic no matter what the circumstances are. Whenever he talk about his son, his eyes glimmer with joy and it appears just so naturally even though moments ago he was dealing with a stressful amount of work. Even now when i see occasion post with photo of his family on facebook, i can still witness the same kind of joy shining within his eyes. I guess that's the beauty of family love! :)
I wish you all the best for this final semester of yours!
cheers! =))
Hey Hwee Teng,
ReplyDeleteThe emptiness of having little to no effective with your brother must be really painful for you and your family as well. I feel that this goes to show that communication goes beyond words and information but to establish goodwill relationships as well.
Do hope you find the strength and patience to carry on.
stats buddy!
ReplyDeleteI'd just like to say THANK YOU for sharing that with all of us, it truly bring communication to a different light from what we would normally think of. Let's enjoy our last sem together, yes? (=
(sorry this is so informal)
Sup Hwee Teng,
ReplyDeleteI couldn't sympathize nor empathize with you any mnore or less. Your story looks set to be the most heartfelt this semester and I'm giving my bold prediction ahead of time!
Only you have demonstrated glass conviction in the enrolment in the module. You have also the most original one to boot. That----is what makes your presence so delicate in our class because it is unmistaken and therefore unmistakable with respect to others; and that is what makes it authentic and precious.
The best thing that can happen to any man or woman is having a clear conviction that is positive with regards to some goal. Nobody has usually anything positive or effusive to say about wanderers.
Brad will be in utter reverance of Hwee Teng whom he should concurrently be most proud of; and if he doesn't think so, I demand he thinks so!!!
10 Tosses
This is a most excellent post on the assigned topic, Hwee Teng. Using the very personal story, you demonstrate how vital communication is for each of us. I especially appreciate your willingness to share with us, but I must also applaud the brevity of your words, the finesse in your language use, and the passion in your presentation.
ReplyDeleteI note that your classmates are also enthusiastic about your post. This is blog post communication at its finest.
Hi to all!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the comments and well wishes on my blog post! I seriously did not expected this and I'm really honoured! :)
I am glad that my brother's condition has become a life experience for me to learn from, and not something that I will feel ashamed of. I am also thankful for my family and friends who have been my strongest support. Communicating with them did make me feel better during times when I was feeling down. This shows how important effective communication is in our lives! :)
Hwee Teng
Sup Hwee Teng,
ReplyDeleteWhy should you be feeling honored? That is the most dangerous feeling in the world because its most likely successor is the bottomless pit of doom!
Rather Hwee Teng, we classmates and professors of your honor, are the ones who are feeling really honored to honor you. Sounds ironical? But that is the way things really work, Hwee Teng. When somebody benefits somebody else, it is the benefactor that truly benefits rather than the beneficiary because the former is exercising his love and care much more than would the latter. And I'm sure you know love and care are food for your soul/spirit/mind, because it keeps they are positive emotions. Contrast anger and hatred. If you get angry with your brother today, Hwee Teng, you lose, not your brother, because anger agonizes the soul!!!
Cheers
Thank you for sharing your personal story Hwee Teng. I have often seen people give up too easily communicating with autistic people, weather kids or adults. More easily than they would have on a blind or a deaf person. Did you observe such a behavior? What are your thoughts on that?
ReplyDeleteHeyy Hwee Ting,
ReplyDeleteRelating a personal story to your blog post really makes it easier for us to understand why you want to take this module. It really shows us how much effective communication means to you. In the case of communication being important for building a future career, I can understand as a fellow graduate-to-be this coming semester. Let's work hard together for this last semester! :D
Thank you for sharing your personal experience here. I am sure that things are going to work out fine. Though there are valuable "skills" to be learnt about effective communication, it is still the thought that really counts：）
ReplyDeleteHope that you will do well in your career! Stats senior!
Haotang