Most families see the mall as a glittering playground. A carousel of shops, laughter echoing through food courts, escalators rising like stairways to delight. But for parents of children on the autism spectrum, the mall is a labyrinth—dazzling, unpredictable, and fraught with invisible tripwires.
The bright lights, unpredictable crowds, and cacophony of sounds transform what should be a routine family activity into a carefully orchestrated mission, where every step is mapped out and every sense is on high alert.
Yet, within these challenges, there’s a different kind of adventure—a journey of preparation, resilience, and small victories.
Because nobody ever imagines parenthood will come with a guidebook. Let alone one written in invisible ink. But for Singaporean dad Chris Lim, 43, that invisible ink began to take shape the moment both his sons were diagnosed under the autism spectrum.
Suddenly, the map of family life had to be redrawn.
In this heartfelt and deeply honest look at Chris’ caregiving journey with his wife Diana and their two sons Clarence, 14 and Gabriel, 12, we pull back the curtain on what it really means to raise children under the autism spectrum in Singapore.
Especially when the world outside still doesn’t quite understand.
When Public Spaces Aren’t Made for Your Child
Source: Chris Lim
The incident that still lingers in Chris’s mind happened just this March, during the school holidays. His younger son Gabriel, 12, had gone to a mall with friends—an ordinary outing for most tweens. But for kids on the autism spectrum, the unexpected can quickly become overwhelming.
Gabriel had been playing with a ball inside a shop when it accidentally bounced out the door, triggering the store’s security alarms. In a split second, panic set in.
“He freaked out and totally panicked. He wasn’t sure what to do. He cried, he called me right after, and I immediately rushed over,” recalled Mr Lim, also an art director at a digital agency.
“As a parent with a child with special needs, when instances like this happen, it really scares you,” he admitted.
The Early Days of an Autism Spectrum Diagnosis
You probably remember the first time someone hinted your child might be “different.” For Chris, that nudge came from well-meaning family members. At first, he brushed it off. “This will pass,” he told himself.
Source: Chris Lim
Sound familiar? That’s because denial is often the first chapter in the parenting-a-child-on-the-autism spectrum manual that no one hands you. Chris admits that it took him half a year to move from denial to full acceptance. His emotional journey wasn’t linear. It started with guilt, detoured into depression, and eventually landed at understanding.
But Diana, his wife, was his anchor. She helped him see the urgency of early intervention. It wasn’t just about acceptance. It was about action.
And as many parents know, the earlier you begin, the stronger the outcomes.
What Acceptance Really Looks Like When Raising Kids on the Autism Spectrum
Acceptance didn’t just mean embracing the diagnosis—it meant showing up every single day, even when it was hard. Meltdowns happened. Expectations shattered. Dreams reshaped.
But Chris and Diana made a powerful decision. If this was going to be their children’s life, then they were going to be all in.
“Regardless of what the diagnosis is,” Chris shared, “we still love them all the same.”
Source: Chris Lim
That statement may feel simple, but when you’re in the thick of caregiving—rearranging schedules, attending therapy sessions, and advocating at school—it can be easy to lose sight of it. Yet for the Lims, love was the foundation they kept building on, even on the stormiest days.
The Two Brothers: Same Spectrum, Different Stories
Every child on the autism spectrum is unique and Chris’s sons are living proof. Clarence, the elder, is sporty and goal-driven. Whether he’s running, swimming, or cooking on weekends, he takes pride in his achievements.
Source: Chris Lim
Meanwhile, Gabriel, the younger one, is a tech wiz and social butterfly. Think Minecraft, Roblox, and lively conversations, even with strangers. In fact, it was his outgoing nature that made Chris realize how much growth is possible when you let your child explore the world on their own terms.
While both boys are on the autism spectrum, their personalities couldn’t be more different. And that’s the magic. You begin to understand that autism isn’t a mould. It’s a mosaic.
Small Wins, Big Growth
You know those parenting moments that feel tiny on the outside but monumental on the inside? Chris recently challenged Gabriel to plan his own bus route to meet the family. It was a test of independence, awareness.
And trust… and Gabriel nailed it.
“I told Gabriel, ‘Hey, since you’re coming to meet us, I want to give you this challenge.’ Why don’t you plan your own route, and then check it with me to make sure it’s fine?’ Once he showed it to me, I said, ‘Okay, that looks good.’ He actually went by himself to come and meet us somewhere in public. And for that, I think that’s really good progress. You know, instead of us telling him, ‘Take this bus from here to there and don’t deviate,’ he’s now starting to navigate things on his own a little bit more—step by step.”
As a parent of a child on the autism spectrum, you start to celebrate differently. It’s not about top grades or trophies. It’s about eye contact. About taking a bus solo. About saying “hello” first.
These small victories? They are the backbone of progress. And according to Chris, they are what make the journey worthwhile.
Preparing Them for a Future Without You
We won’t be here forever. And Chris doesn’t shy away from that reality. He openly tells Clarence and Gabriel that one day, they will need to take care of each other.
Source: Chris Lim
That’s why he’s intentional about preparing them—not just with therapy and education, but with life skills. From cooking family meals to navigating public transport, everything is a teachable moment.
As hard as it is, you might already be doing the same—quietly laying the groundwork for your child’s independence, one routine, one reminder, one deep breath at a time.
When Children Become the Teachers
Perhaps the most profound part of Chris’s story is how much he’s learned from his boys.
“Everything,” he says plainly. “As much as our children are learning from us, I’ve learned from them too.”
Before stepping into the role of caregiver, Chris admits he knew very little about special needs. Now, thanks to Clarence and Gabriel, he’s become a champion of inclusive thinking—not just in his home, but in his heart.
Source: Chris Lim
It’s a powerful reminder: your children may not fit society’s definition of “normal,” but they are extraordinary in their own right. And through them, you are becoming extraordinary too.
Why the Caregiver Role Is Heavy—But Worth It
Chris says it best: “Some days we feel like we’re on top of the world, and on others, the weight of the setbacks can feel like the heaviest of weights.”
If you’ve ever felt alone, overwhelmed, or simply exhausted, know that you’re not the only one. Caregiving isn’t just a role—it’s a marathon. And yet, Chris insists that it’s in the stormiest moments that we discover our true strength.
As he puts it, “No act of love, no matter how small, ever goes unnoticed.”
So on days when you feel invisible, remember that you’re not. You are changing lives, starting with the ones under your own roof.
You Are Not Alone in This
You may not be in the spotlight, but you are the unsung hero of someone’s story. Like Chris and Diana, you are showing up every single day for your child on the autism spectrum. You are teaching, learning, loving, and growing—all at once.
So don’t forget to lean on your village, your partner, your support group. And when the days are long, remember what Chris said:
“Let’s keep leaning on each other, learning, growing, and most importantly, CARING.”
You’re not just surviving this journey. You’re shaping a world where acceptance is second nature—and love is the loudest language of all.
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