Pseudonym of Child: Emilia
Diagnosis: Autism Spectrum Disorder
Emilia, who is on the autism spectrum, came to Singapore searching for a school where she could truly grow and glow. However, when the Little Olive Tree Centre most accessible to them was at full capacity, they had no choice but to wait. Finally, at age 3, Emilia found her place with us—her journey to a community that would help her grow in spite of the challenges she faced was about to begin.
When she arrived, Emilia communicated mainly through gestures and single-word utterances. While she had a deep love for music and movement, participating in classroom activities was often a challenge. Behind her moments of engagement was a deep, ongoing process of emotional support—hours spent sitting beside her, helping her navigate her emotions, and waiting patiently for her to express herself in her own time. Sometimes, the best intervention was simply holding space for her to feel and process her emotions.
At Little Olive Tree, our Educational Support Programme (ESP) is designed not just to provide strategies or fixes, but to walk alongside children like Emilia through every step of their journey. We do not impose a standard of progress or growth; instead, we meet the children where they are and support them in the ways that are most meaningful to them to progress to the next step.This process may not always be visible to the outside world, but for Emilia, it was transformative.
The Journey to Social Connection
Over time, Emilia began to come out of her shell. Over time, she grew attached to her classmates. While some lessons were still beyond her reach, Emilia found joy in being part of her school community, enjoying the companionship of her classmates. Her growth was slow and steady, may seem insignificant, but progress is progress.
However, as Emilia neared the age to transition to Kindergarten 1, a pivotal decision was made: to help Emilia catch up with her peers academically, it was decided that she would stay in Nursery for an additional year. But this move, meant to give her more time to prepare for primary school, proved more challenging than expected.
A Turning Point: Focusing on Social Growth Over Academic Pressure
The decision led to a resurgence of tantrums and resistance. Emilia, who once loved school, now ran from her class and tried to join the older Kindergarten 1 group. The tension was clear: was the focus on preparing Emilia for primary school more important than creating a supportive space for her to grow socially alongside her peers?
After several months of trial and reflection, we came to a crucial realisation: academic readiness was not the ultimate goal. Emilia’s emotional and social development was just as important—if not more so—than meeting academic milestones. The decision was made to reverse the move and allow Emilia to remain in Kindergarten 1 with the classmates she had already formed bonds with. This was not a step backward; it was a choice to honour Emilia’s social growth over academic pressure.
With this change, Emilia is now surrounded by a nurturing environment where she can continue to thrive emotionally and socially. While the lessons will still be challenging, Emilia is developing the confidence and social skills that will serve her well, both in school and beyond. Donate to “A Christmas Story” today so that Emilia, and other children, will be able to access Education Support in a mainstream preschool setting. Your contribution will ensure that children facing communication and socialization challenges receive the resources they need to have a chance to thrive academically and socially in a mainstream classroom.
Special Gift for Donors: Donate $250 or more, and you’ll receive a customisable Little Olive Tree LEGO character—a special way to show your support for the children whose lives you’re helping change.
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