“I Chose to Have Him, So It’s My Responsibility”: Single Father and TADA Driver Shares Journey Raising Autistic Son

For many parents, juggling work and family is already a daily challenge. But for single parents raising children with special needs, the responsibility becomes even heavier.

That is the reality for Wilson, a 38-year-old private-hire driver in Singapore, who is raising his 7-year-old son with autism.

Struggled to Balance Work and Caring for His Son

Wilson once held a stable job as a civil servant, but the demands of his role left him struggling to balance work with his son’s care.

“The last two years were a struggle as I needed the time flexibility to look after my child,” Wilson explained.

Left His Career for Fatherhood

He eventually made the difficult decision to step away from his career, opting instead for a path that would allow him to be there for his son whenever needed.

He turned to driving for TADA, a ride-hailing platform that lets him choose his own hours.

With its zero-commission policy, Wilson can earn fully from his fares while having the flexibility to arrange his schedule around his son’s needs.

This flexibility became the lifeline that allowed him to support his son financially while still being present in his daily life.

A Day in Wilson’s Life

As a single father, Wilson structures his day entirely around his child’s needs.

His mornings often begin behind the wheel, before returning home mid-morning to have lunch with his son and help him pack his school bag. After putting him on the school bus, Wilson resumes driving until late afternoon.

Evenings are precious. He spends time playing with his son before heading out for the night shift. At home, safety is a constant priority.

“We lock the kitchen door and avoid leaving things on the table,” he said, noting how his son may unknowingly play with potentially dangerous items.

Spreading Kindness on the Road

Beyond caring for his son, Wilson has quietly made it his mission to treat disadvantaged riders with kindness.

Having gone through difficult experiences as a father of a child with autism, he now offers free or discounted rides to passengers who are disabled, battling illnesses, or struggling financially.

“To me, when I help people, maybe I ‘waste’ my own time and 2-3 dollars,” he said. “But to them, $20-$30 might mean a few meals. So why not help?”

For Wilson, small acts of generosity carry more weight than money.

“Giving back, helping people, gives me more joy than anything else.”

Hopes and Fears for the Future

Raising a child with autism has not been easy. Beyond the daily challenges, Wilson wishes more people understood that autism exists on a spectrum and that families often struggle in silence.

“I wish there would be more support for families with autism, as it is very tough on us,” he shared.

His greatest challenge remains the same: raising his son alone. His dream is simple yet deeply emotional,

“I hope I can look after my son his whole life, and I hope to outlive him.”

A Message on Love and Responsibility

For Wilson, resilience is not about strength alone but about love and choice.

“It is not so much about resilience because my child cannot choose to be born to this family,” he said.

“I chose to have him, so it is my responsibility and love towards him that drives me.”