By Joshua Kao

Joshua Kao (Host): Welcome to In Another’s View, a podcast series to engage the community to stand for neurodiversity through the lens of youth. I’m Joshua Kao, your host today. I am very honored to introduce our guests, Sufen Wu and Chiling Wu.

Sufen is the loving mom of Chiling Wu, an autistic musician who is an award-winning pianist and plays nine instruments. Even though he is limited in communication, Chiling has a limitless capacity to bring joy to others through his musical talent. Chiling often performs at local senior homes and other community gatherings. Sufen is the co-founder of Friends of Children with Special Needs (FCSN), an organization with a mission to support individuals with special needs by fostering love, hope, respect, and support through integrated community development. Sufen shares more about her journey of love, life, possibility, problem-solving, and dedication in raising a talented musician who makes an impact in the community.

Welcome to In Another’s View, Sufen and Chiling! It’s an honor to have you both here today.

Sufen: Thank you. We’re honored to be here too. Right, Chiling? Say hello.

Chiling: Hello.

Joshua: Let’s start off with Sufen. Could you tell us about your son, Chiling, and what his passion and unique strengths are?

Sufen: Oh, his passion! When Chiling was just two years old—he was born premature, so it took him longer to develop—but one thing was very obvious. Even as a baby, he was seeking different sounds. His ears and eyes were very sharp, but he experienced the world in a unique, artistic way.

When he was crawling, he would pick up something like a soda cap and crawl across different surfaces—carpet, vinyl, tile—hitting the cap on each surface to explore the different sounds. It was fascinating to watch! Later, we discovered he had perfect pitch. He would gravitate toward the piano, experimenting not only with his fingers but with his whole body—even using his legs or sitting on the keys to create sounds. He’d spend 30 minutes or more just exploring. At that time, we didn’t know he was autistic. We just thought he was incredibly curious and creative.

Joshua: It seems like music captivated him from a very young age. I really love the stories you shared. You mentioned this was before his autism diagnosis. When you found out about Chiling’s neurodivergence, what was your reaction, and how did you cope with that realization?

Sufen: That was a heartbreaking moment. Before the diagnosis, we were just enjoying him. He was so joyful, and we didn’t think anything was wrong. Even though my parents expressed concern about his delayed speech, our pediatrician reassured us, saying, “Einstein didn’t talk until he was five.”

Joshua: Did your understanding of Austism change after Chiling’s diagnosis?

Sufen: It wasn’t until we visited a specialist in Taiwan that we learned Chiling had autism. The doctor pointed out how he didn’t engage with others, didn’t respond to his name, and seemed lost in his own world. It was devastating. Our whole world collapsed, but we had to adapt and figure out how to support him.

Sufen: Absolutely. Before the diagnosis, I didn’t even know what autism was. Afterward, we were given booklets describing behaviors like lack of eye contact and delayed speech. At first, we cried and felt hopeless. But then, I became curious. I started reading everything I could find about autism, learning about strategies to help Chiling grow and thrive.

Joshua: I love how you turned heartbreak into curiosity and determination. You mentioned in one of your booklets the importance of “possibility vs. impossibility.” How did you approach helping Chiling overcome challenges and cultivate his strengths?

Sufen: It was hard at first because Chiling didn’t follow directions. He’d run away when you called him or do the opposite of what you asked. But I realized the key was understanding his world and engaging with him where he was. I read books about children with special needs, like The Miracle Worker about Helen Keller, which inspired me to teach him in small, manageable steps.

For example, when he was three, I would sit with him in the bathroom for hours, teaching him colors, shapes, and letters. It was our classroom, and the close interaction kept him engaged. Gradually, he started learning. I also learned to simplify tasks into tiny steps and use repetition to help him understand.

Joshua: That’s so creative—finding a nontraditional learning space and turning it into a comfort zone for him. It’s amazing how you developed these strategies.

Sufen: Thank you. I learned that with consistency, patience, and creativity, anything is possible. For instance, when Chiling was learning to speak, he struggled to say “Mom.” I broke it down to just “M” and “Ah,” practicing every morning while feeding him breakfast. It took a month, but one day, he finally said, “Ma.” That small breakthrough was life-changing.

Joshua: Wow, what perseverance! You’ve clearly been a source of unwavering support for Chiling. Can you tell us about the organization you co-founded, Friends of Children with Special Needs (FCSN)? What inspired you to start it?

Sufen: FCSN began naturally out of a need for connection. When you have a child with special needs, you seek out others who understand your challenges. I started with a small group of parents, and we’d gather to share ideas and support each other. Over time, it grew into a larger community, organizing activities like sports days and camping trips.

Eventually, we realized we needed more resources, so we formed a nonprofit organization in 1996. Today, FCSN has three centers and serves many families, helping children with special needs find friendship, love, and hope. I’m so proud of what we’ve built together.

Joshua: That’s incredible. FCSN has made such a meaningful impact. What does a typical day look like for you and Chiling?

Sufen: Chiling thrives on routine. He wakes up at 6:30 AM, makes his breakfast, and does some stretching exercises—like hanging from a pull-up bar or using resistance bands. After breakfast, he washes his dishes and writes in his journal. Then he practices piano for an hour or more. He also plays other instruments like violin, cello, and saxophone.

In the afternoons, he sometimes performs for the community or practices new pieces. Even his leisure activities, like playing Super Mario, are part of his schedule. Having a structured routine gives him confidence and purpose.

Joshua: It’s clear how much thought and care you’ve put into building these routines. What’s next for Chiling’s journey?

Sufen: I want Chiling to continue contributing to the community through his music. He loves playing at senior homes, hospitals, and community events. My dream is to set up a system where he can regularly perform at places that need his joy and talent. It’s not about fame or money; it’s about finding fulfillment and making others happy.

Joshua: That’s a beautiful vision. Lastly, what message or words of encouragement would you like to share with our audience, especially parents of children with special needs?

Sufen: Never give up. There is always a way forward, even if it takes time and effort. Simplify tasks to meet your child where they are, and celebrate every small victory. Most importantly, embrace the journey. I’ve learned so much from Chiling. He has made my life richer, and I’m grateful for the experiences we’ve shared. Remember, life is about learning, growing, and contributing. Make the most of it.

Joshua: Thank you, Sufen, for sharing your incredible story and wisdom. Your dedication to Chiling and the community is truly inspiring. Let’s all take Sufen’s words to heart: never give up, always keep learning, and strive to contribute to society in our own unique ways.

This has been In Another’s View. We stand for neurodiversity. Signing off!