Boy with autism among foster kids recognised at MSF awards

27 given awards for achievements in areas such as academics, character, sports and arts

- Shermaine Ang

Civil servant Gerard Peter Almonte and his wife, Madam Susan Wong Lai Fung, both 59, have been fostering an 11-year-old boy with special needs since his birth.

Raymond (not his real name) was aggressive as a young child, and could not speak or make eye contact with others. He also walked awkwardly, on tiptoe.

He was diagnosed with autism at the age of four and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder at age six.

"It was hard to accept the diagnosis. We were apprehensive, as we weren't sure how to help a special needs child," said Mr Almonte. The couple also have two biological children a son, 26, and a daughter, 18.

They signed Raymond up for speech therapy and physiotherapy.

The child did well on IQ tests and qualified for a mainstream primary school, but because of his anxiety, his foster parents enrolled him in a special education school.

The school taught him how to make eye contact and speak, and over the years, he learnt to express himself, control his emotions and make friends. He even won the school's Most Compassionate Pupil Award in 2021.

Raymond is among 27 foster children who were recognised on Saturday for their achievements at the ninth annual Awards Ceremony for

Foster Children and Youth, organised by the Ministry of Social and Family Development.