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Growing up with autism

From simple tasks to taking the train, these two sisters are learning to be independent

Right: Although both Yan Yun and her sister Yan Ling, 11, go home from school together, they tend to separate from each other on the bus or the train. For example, on a double-decker bus, one would sit on the upper deck while the other would sit on t
Since January, Chan Yan Yun, eight, has been taking public transport home after school with her elder sister, and under the supervision of the family's domestic helper. During train rides, she likes to walk from one end of the train to the other, even when it is crowded, stopping occasionally to play with the grab poles along the way. ST PHOTO: ONG WEE KIAT
Right: Although both Yan Yun and her sister Yan Ling, 11, go home from school together, they tend to separate from each other on the bus or the train. For example, on a double-decker bus, one would sit on the upper deck while the other would sit on t
Yan Yun was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder when she was three. She sometimes has difficulty understanding social cues and behaviours. As a result, her body language may sometimes annoy others in public, such as when she sits in a manner that appears impolite or inappropriate. ST PHOTO: ONG WEE KIAT
Right: Although both Yan Yun and her sister Yan Ling, 11, go home from school together, they tend to separate from each other on the bus or the train. For example, on a double-decker bus, one would sit on the upper deck while the other would sit on t
Yan Ling has a short attention span when doing things she has little or no interest in. Halfway through her homework, she gets tired and restless and fidgets, as her mother Beverly Soh, 44, attempts to get her engaged again. ST PHOTO: ONG WEE KIAT
Right: Although both Yan Yun and her sister Yan Ling, 11, go home from school together, they tend to separate from each other on the bus or the train. For example, on a double-decker bus, one would sit on the upper deck while the other would sit on t
Yan Yun continuously hits a triangle as she is intrigued by the different notes and sounds that it makes. The girls' father, Mr Edward Chan, 45, says he has discovered that the learning process for every autistic individual is different. ST PHOTO: ONG WEE KIAT
Right: Although both Yan Yun and her sister Yan Ling, 11, go home from school together, they tend to separate from each other on the bus or the train. For example, on a double-decker bus, one would sit on the upper deck while the other would sit on t
Madam Soh takes a morning walk along a park connector towards Bedok Reservoir with Yan Yun, as Yan Ling (in red) runs ahead. While Yan Ling's passion is for sports, Yan Yun has more of a creative streak. When she was younger, the walls of the family's living room were her canvas, filled with her drawings of cars, people and planes. ST PHOTO: ONG WEE KIAT
Right: Although both Yan Yun and her sister Yan Ling, 11, go home from school together, they tend to separate from each other on the bus or the train. For example, on a double-decker bus, one would sit on the upper deck while the other would sit on t
The Chan family relax at home after a short weekend outing. Mr Chan quit his job as an auditor to become a private-hire car driver so that he would have more flexible working hours and would be able to spend more time with his daughters. Madam Soh works as a senior accountant. ST PHOTO: ONG WEE KIAT
Right: Although both Yan Yun and her sister Yan Ling, 11, go home from school together, they tend to separate from each other on the bus or the train. For example, on a double-decker bus, one would sit on the upper deck while the other would sit on t
While waiting for the bus after school, Yan Ling becomes a little rough while playing with the family's domestic helper, Musli, 38. Her actions are harmless, but attract stares from some passers-by. ST PHOTO: ONG WEE KIAT
Right: Although both Yan Yun and her sister Yan Ling, 11, go home from school together, they tend to separate from each other on the bus or the train. For example, on a double-decker bus, one would sit on the upper deck while the other would sit on t
Yan Yun and Yan Ling examine wildgrass while out on a morning walk with their parents. Mr Chan and his wife aim to have their daughters pick up life skills at different stages of their lives. For example, through exposure to public settings, they hope the girls will learn social cues and skills. ST PHOTO: ONG WEE KIAT
For children with autism, using a visual guide and timetable is usually easier than verbal instructions. For Yan Ling, the parents created a timetable as a guide to her routine in their study room. Using reward and punishment techniques, they hope Yan Ling will learn to comply and understand this principle of working to achieve something. When she no longer needs this timetable, it will show there is progress in her learning. ST PHOTO: ONG WEE KIAT
The siblings enjoying their free time as they were watching videos and playing games on their mobile devices at the living room sofa, although usually they would be at their shared desktop. In the sisters' relationship, Yan Yun, although younger, seems to be the alpha as she displayed more dominance when they do fight or quarrel. ST PHOTO: ONG WEE KIAT
Yan Yun and the helper, Musli, ascending the escalators as that was the last train station before walking home. Unlike the older sister Yan Ling who is more independent, Yan Yun requires a little more supervision for her safety especially for things like escalators. ST PHOTO: ONG WEE KIAT
Yan Ling enjoys sports a lot. She was selected by the school to join track and field as her CCA in Primary 3. Many times, Yan Ling likes to display her interest by running at train stations which may cause passers-by to stare not knowing about her condition. At times, she would run up and down the full stretch of the station. ST PHOTO: ONG WEE KIAT
During one of the bus rides home, a lovely moment happened in a flash when the older sister Yan Ling, caught her younger sister Yan Yun's hand to prevent her from leaving the seat when they were sitting together initially. At that time the bus was still on the move. ST PHOTO: ONG WEE KIAT
Ong Wee Kiat Photojournalist
Updated
Sep 01, 2020, 01:55 PM
Published
Jul 27, 2020, 05:00 AM
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Chan Yan Ling, 11, runs up and down the full length of the train platform while she, her sister Yan Yun, eight, and their domestic helper Musli wait for the MRT train on their way home after school.

In the train, the younger girl likes to walk from one end to the other, even when it is crowded, stopping occasionally to play with the grab poles along the way.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on July 27, 2020, with the headline Growing up with autism. Subscribe

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