Her sister-in-law, a genetic counsellor in the Australian city, had noticed that something was amiss with the boy’s behaviour. A visit to the hospital followed and the devastating diagnosis was confirmed.
That was more than 20 years ago and Khoo was nearly three years old.
“We were disappointed, but it didn’t change the fact that he was still our son,” Yap, 62, told FMT Lifestyle recently.
An early intervention programme was recommended for the boy, and Yap threw herself into researching all she could about autism.
She also tried finding a suitable place to enrol her son in early intervention so he could be ready for school. But it wasn’t easy. “There were more parent support groups than there were intervention centres.”
This didn’t deter her, though. She engaged speech and occupational therapists and other specialists to work with her son at home.
Yap was determined to provide the best for him. She even quit her job as an in-house legal counsel. “He needed someone full-time to monitor and help him, and I was missing out on a lot of sessions because they were all during working hours.”
She continued learning all she could about autism and, just two years after her son’s diagnosis, she started a centre for children with autism and special educational needs, calling it the “Early Intervention Program: Autism.”
Even with her hands full, spending time with her older son was important to her. She wanted the two boys to develop a close relationship.
Today, Khoo is 25 years old and has earned a Diploma in Accommodation Services from City & Guilds. But Yap continuously worries about his wellbeing and future.
Ensuring that he can be independent and equipped with work skills has always been a priority and, to that end, she and her husband hit on the perfect idea.
It lies in ice cream, something Khoo has always loved. So, last November, the couple opened YL’s Gelateria in Damansara Utama, with “Y” and “L” being the initials of his name.
“People like us get up and get ready,” Yap said. “This requires a certain amount of routine and there’s a certain pride in making sure we look presentable. Then we go out and show what we can do.”
Khoo’s routine includes administrative tasks and keeping the shop clean. According to Yap, he looks forward to his work day. “All these expectations help to build a routine which contributes to his mental well-being and that is the most important thing for him. It’s not the money. Money cannot buy this.”
It took Yap about six months of experimentation to come up with the gelato and sorbet flavours available at YL’s Gelateria.
“I think the day you stop learning is the day you start decaying,” she said.
“The OKUs (persons with disabilities) have to learn to fit in because society is not going to change to embrace them. They have to make the changes themselves so that they can be a part of society.”
While the disabled community still struggles to find employment, Yap aims to provide those with autism opportunities to be employed and receive training to develop skills necessary for the working world.
She currently has three part-time employees who are autistic. As such, she hopes that companies support YL’s Gelateria by ordering its products for their functions.
Yap said she has no regrets leaving her legal career and doesn’t see it as a sacrifice. “It’s gratifying to know that he’s able to do something for himself rather than ask for donations and handouts.”
To parents with autistic children, she has this message: “You should not give up hope. Make up your mind on how you want your child to live.”
YL’s Gelateria
35G, Jalan SS 21/60,
Damansara Utama,
47400 Petaling Jaya,
Selangor
Business hours:
- 8.30am-5.00pm (Monday-Friday)
- 12pm-9.00pm (Saturday, Sunday & public holidays)
Follow YL’s Gelateria on Facebook and Instagram.
Laura Yap is closing the ‘Early Intervention Program: Autism’ and has literature for sale. For more information, contact her at 012-376 9383.