"My brother is an autistic, but I still love him." - Shenna

       
         My daughter’s name is Shenna Bella Pau. She is 5 years old. She is a funny and talkative little girl with a curious characteristic. She is like most of the girls at her age, likes all the girly stuff such as Barbie dolls, long gowns, shoes with high heels, hair-bands..etc..         

          One day, Shenna played with her 4 years old cousin, Aaron, at our house’s living room. They were playing with Sean’s toy cars and blocks since Shenna's toys are all the girlish dolls, Aaron didn’t like it. As they played, suddenly Sean screamed aloud, and I rushed to see what was going on. They were playing with Sean’s favourite tablet, the only thing that Sean couldn't let go. Aaron started to ask Shenna in Mandarin, “Why he shouts? Can’t he just speak out?” Shenna grabbed the tablet from him instead of answering his questions, and gave the tablet back to Sean. She told Aaron in mandarin, “Don’t ever take that tablet from him, later he kicks your butt, I don’t know ooo.” I was laughing. It was funny ok, the way she spoke. Then, that night she asked me, “Mommy, how come Sean still can’t talk? He is almost as tall as Aaron, but he still can’t talk, why?” I answered her in alarmed, tried the easiest way to explain to her, so that she could understand easily at her age. “Sean is a bit different, he can talk but not now, not yet, its call Autism. That’s why you have to take care of Sean because you are his che che (sister). Play together with him, protect him if mommy and daddy are not around, and teach him how to talk. Who knows he might talk after that. Then everyone would be happy.” She nodded her head and said, “Ok, Shenna is che che, Shenna is a big girl and good girl too.” The next day, I saw three of them were playing together again, but they were not playing with toy car, blocks or tablet. 2 of them were following Sean’s behaviour, flapped their arms and hands, shook their head, and span their body. Shenna turned on some music and they were jumping high with flapping hands, just like a bird. They seem to enjoy that moment very much. I was glad, especially when I saw Sean was very happy and excited. Thanks to my beautiful daughter. I hadn’t realized how much she loved him, how much she tried to protect him in her own way. She tried to include Sean to play together in a group instead of leaving him alone. I am very proud of her.

        That’s the sweetest thing I’ll always remember. Somehow, Shenna can’t run away from being a child with ‘attitudes’, that’s normal and she drives me crazy sometimes. There was a time when they (Shenna and Sean) fight over toys, jealous of each other (especially Shenna), unsatisfied and so on. It’s ok because it’s normal. My hubby and I just have to treat them fairly. We’ll try to explain to Shenna the details about her brother’s autism disorder from time to time, educate her at earlier stage. I know it’s not going to be easy as they grow up, Shenna might feel isolated, a bit perhaps. These are a few things that I need to take note, she used to raise it when she is angry:
1, why always me?
2, why can’t Sean do it by himself?
3, it’s not fair!!
4, he doesn't want to play with me!!
5, why mommy always treat Sean better?
6, Mommy and Sean are bad!!
7, I hate Sean!! (she doesn't mean it)
8, he doesn't answer me when I ask!!

          Actually, this kind of scaring me, I always remind myself to be fair to both. Especially when they fight, I just can’t help myself to stand at Sean’s side. She’ll end up complaining to her daddy. But at least, in her heart, daddy is always her hero. But somehow, I need to learn to be strict to Sean too, fair to both of them, and the most important thing is to avoid ‘The Sibling Problem’. So far, Shenna enjoys handling her responsibilities as Sean’s sister. We are so proud of her. I’m glad to have these 2 kids around. Life would be empty without them, thanks God for everything.

          Read this article about The Sibling Problem of Autistic Kids, here.

Shenna hugs her brother, Sean
but Sean struggles hard to release himself...haha

my lovely kids, Sean and Shenna

Baby Sean 4 months and Shenna age 3

"I can take care of my baby brother." 

Shenna and baby Sean

Sean, less than 1 month, hugged by his sister, Shenna

          Please watch the following video and enjoy. Thank you.

Other story,
Note:
on 4/8/2012, my facebook status wrote, here

"He ate noodle!!!!...our Sean is back, he ate 2 bowls of noodle this morning after for so long...all this while, due to his ASD, he only eat biscuit crackers ..my poor baby, u must be very hungry. ...:"(...I prepare his meal 3 times daily, hoping that he'll eat someday like other normal kids..but somehow he doesn't let me down today...thank God...hoping for better tomorrow and onward..:'')...."

This going to be the happiest day I have to record...and today, 5/8/2012, in the morning, he asks for noodles too...as usual, he grabs my hand and shows me the noodle's packet at the kitchen...Thank You God!!!...:')

Pic taken on 5/8/2012, shows how he enjoys eating noodles...well done son!!

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