When your child is diagnosed with autism, the world doesn’t stop…
It shifts.
For many parents in Singapore, that shift brings fear and uncertainty. Plans change. Expectations recalibrate. And slowly, a new kind of parenting begins—one that’s more observant, more patient, and ultimately, more connected.
With Autistic Pride Day just behind us on June 18, it’s a timely reminder to not only honour the individuality and strength of autistic people, but also to recognise the resilience of the families walking this path beside them.
One such story belongs to Lucia Kim, a 44-year-old Assistant Early Interventionist and mother to 15-year-old Wonjin Lee. Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Wonjin has grown from a quiet boy fascinated with elevator buttons and aeroplane guides into a young man who commutes alone, gives perfect speeches, and inspires everyone around him.
But their journey here wasn’t easy.
‘Why Us?’
Lucia first noticed something was different when Wonjin was around 18 months old.
“Up until about 18 months, his development seemed on track,” she recalls. “But then we started noticing delays in eye contact and speech. That’s when we began consulting specialists and started early intervention.”
Photo from Lucia Kim
By that time, Lucia and her husband Dustin were already navigating a medical whirlwind. Born prematurely, Wonjin was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension at birth and spent his early days in the NICU. As he grew older, the signs of autism emerged just as they were trying to find a sense of normalcy.
“Looking back, those early years were incredibly tough,” Lucia shares. “We were constantly anxious and exhausted.”
It wasn’t just the logistical and financial toll of therapies and hospital visits. It was the emotional isolation, particularly in Korea, where the stigma surrounding disability ran deep.
Photo from Lucia Kim
“I remember crying almost every day on the way to school,” she says. “Teachers, parents, even other students treated us differently. I constantly questioned myself: ‘Why us?’”
While many families might break under that pressure, Lucia and Dustin made a decision that would change everything: they chose to move.
“When the environment didn’t support us, we decided to change our environment,” she explains. Dustin worked tirelessly to secure an overseas role, eventually bringing the family to Singapore.
Finding Hope Through Early Intervention
Singapore was a fresh start. But Lucia arrived emotionally worn down, her expectations for support low.
Photo from Lucia Kim
“I was drained from all the treatments and social stigma we had experienced in Korea,” she says. “And Wonjin had never learned English before—I wasn’t even sure therapy here would be possible.”
What she was looking for was more than therapy. She wanted a place that could see her son for who he was, not a list of symptoms, but a person.
That’s when they found Bridging the Gap (BtG), an early intervention centre in Singapore that provides integrated therapy under one roof. From speech and occupational therapy to educational support and social skills training, BtG treats the child, not just the diagnosis.
Source: BtG
“There is a clear turning point in our family’s life: before and after we met Bridging the Gap,” Lucia says.
At BtG, Wonjin wasn’t seen as “a child with autism.” He was simply Wonjin—a curious, bright, determined boy with a love for transportation and a brilliant mind for logistics.
“The teachers didn’t see him as defined by his disability—they saw him as a whole person,” she explains. “They believed in him. They embraced what he could do.”
And over time, the transformation was undeniable. His language, cognitive, and motor skills improved. More importantly, so did his confidence and emotional resilience.
‘He Inspires Me’
Photo from Lucia Kim
Today, Wonjin is in Secondary 4 at APSN Katong School. He wakes up every morning at 5 a.m. to travel alone to school. He navigates MRT routes better than most adults and advises his family on airplane models for upcoming trips. He’s been on Channel NewsAsia, speaks in front of crowds, and helps other students as a prefect.
“He is the most hardworking and responsible person in our family,” Lucia says with pride. “He truly inspires me.”
That inspiration didn’t happen in isolation. It grew in a space where his unique gifts were nurtured, not corrected.
Photo from Lucia Kim
Lucia remembers how small moments led to big changes. “He used to just jump alone on a trampoline,” she says. “Now he competes in swimming meets and wins medals. He used to struggle to greet others. Now he stands up and speaks in assemblies.”
For the Kim family, BtG became more than a therapy centre.
“It’s not just a centre—it became our second home,” Lucia says. “It was the first place where I didn’t feel judged, but seen, heard, and truly supported.”
Advice to Parents Navigating Autism in Singapore
Lucia’s story is powerful, but she’s quick to remind other parents that her journey is not unique, and that theirs is just as valid.
“If you’re just starting out on this journey, the first thing I want to say is: you are not alone,” she says.
Photo from Lucia Kim
She encourages parents to let go of guilt and blame, especially in the beginning.
“There are many of us who have cried quietly through the night, just like you. Who have felt overwhelmed and terrified,” she says. “But we kept going—and you will too.”
She also urges families to reach out for help early.
“If you haven’t started any form of therapy or support yet, take a deep breath and reach out. There are kind, compassionate professionals who will walk this road beside you.”
In a city where families can feel invisible inside the healthcare system, that message is a lifeline.
Why Community Matters in Autism Support
Lucia’s experience underscores an essential truth: autism support must go beyond the child. It needs to include parents, siblings, teachers, and society at large.
“The entire family needs guidance and care in this journey,” she says. “It’s not enough to support the child alone.”
That’s what makes centres like BtG so vital. They not only address developmental milestones but also emotional healing for both children and parents. And they provide a space where families can stop surviving and start thriving.
As the prevalence of autism continues to rise worldwide—and as awareness grows—it’s critical that we expand access to integrated, empathetic care. That we see beyond the label and support the full, vibrant human behind it.
Wonjin is proof of what’s possible when a child with autism is believed in.
Believe in Your Child—And in Yourself
“Your child will surprise you,” Lucia says. “With a smile, a small step forward, a connection you didn’t think was possible. Those moments will fill your heart in ways words can’t describe.”
She continues:
“This journey isn’t a sprint. It’s a long, winding marathon. You don’t have to move at anyone else’s pace. It’s okay to rest. It’s okay to cry. It’s okay to simply breathe.”
Lucia doesn’t pretend it’s easy. But she wants other parents to know that there is light on the other side. That hope grows quietly, with time, with love, and with the right support.
“Believe in your child,” she says. “They are capable of more than you can imagine. And you? You are stronger than you know.”
Shifting Gears, Finding Grace
When your child is diagnosed with autism, the world doesn’t stop. It shifts. When autism enters your life, the world doesn’t hit pause. It changes lanes.
For Lucia and Wonjin, that shift came with bumps, detours, and more than a few tears. But with love, early intervention, and the right support, they didn’t just adjust—they found their rhythm.
From NICU scares to 5 a.m. commutes and perfect speeches, their story proves: the journey may not look like what you expected, but it can still be extraordinary.
So if your world’s just shifted, don’t panic. Breathe. Turn the wheel. There’s a new road ahead—and you’re more ready than you think.
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