My journey with the Specialist Diploma in Learning Support (Specific Learning Difficulties) started in 2019. I first found out about the online course, Understanding Dyslexia through SUSS, where I’m currently in my 4^th year as a Psychology Major. The online course helped me understand dyslexia and specific learning difficulties at a deeper level as I work with children with special needs such as ASD, ADHD, dyspraxia and dyslexia as an Educational Kinesiologist through Brain Gym® and movements. It was also at that time that I was looking for courses to help me bridge movements and academic learning together, to better support my clients and my two children with special needs and learning difficulties. That led me to enroll in more courses at DAS Academy to be equipped with the skills and tools to connect the different modalities together.

As I juggle my roles as a working mum and a part-time student, handling another set of academic studies at the same time was not easy. Though I have to attend night classes and hand in numerous assignments for my university studies, the stacked format of the Specialist Diploma allowed me to plan my schedule in all aspects effectively. The courses have a few runs each year so I can pick and choose when I would like to attend them. Coupled with passion, perseverance and determination and lots of support from the lecturers, obtaining the Specialist Diploma was made possible for me today.

Nancy has been an allied educator for over 13 years. She took up the MA mainly for her own professional development in her area of work to better support her students with SEN. In her area of work, she has been given many opportunities to attend trainings on the job, and these have benefited her to better support the students, as well as working with various stakeholders.

Taking up the MA had allowed her to deepen her knowledge further so that she could be exposed to more evidence-based practices and strategies when working with her students. She felt that the MA had helped her explore the various aspects of SEN through the lectures and assignments. The readings that she had to do had also allowed her to gain understanding of evidence-based practices overseas and in Singapore. She also incorporated some of these practices when working with her students with SEN. The knowledge that she had gained had also helped when she engaged stakeholders, sharing with them professionally these evidence-based approaches and the way forward when working with students with SEN.

Through the dissertation module, she had the opportunity to work on her interest area, finding out the current trends of her students with SEN, the gaps and researching on evidence-based practices to address their needs. That process had helped her gain insights into research, as well as evidence-based practices; and overall the MA had helped her professionally in her area of work. Moving forward, she hopes to apply the skills that she has learnt to better support the students she works with professionally.

When I came to work at the Dyslexia Association of Singapore (DAS) some five years ago, though I was somewhat aware of dyslexia then, I did not have a deep knowledge of what it really is, why students struggle with it, how the Educational Therapists and other DAS staff work and help with students who struggle to learn and the impact on their families.

During my time at DAS, I have observed how our colleagues, not just the Educational Therapists, are equipped with the knowledge that helps them to engage and help our students and parents. The high level of service and expertise that they showed at work, inspired me to want to be able to do the same or even better!

I felt, as a Centre Manager, it only felt right that I equip myself with the necessary knowledge of how DAS supports those individuals with dyslexia. This, to me, is important and I wanted to make a significant contribution to the DAS cause, the students, and families.

And as I became more involved at DAS with commitments to the Parents’ Support Group, the Stakeholders Engagement Team, Dyslexia Screening activities, Parents’ Focus Groups and much more; my interaction with more and more parents and others who support students who learn differently, such as Allied Educators and school teachers, this made me realise that it's even more urgent that I should do something about gaining an in-depth knowledge of dyslexia and other learning differences.

But then, I had to make the time. I have asked myself many times, how will it be possible to do this? Juggling my work commitments and having to spend much time with my son who has autism spectrum disorder (ASD). To be honest, I had second thoughts about taking up further studies. In the end, with DAS Management and my colleagues' kind support and the DAS Academy's ever helpful and understanding lecturers who have guided and encouraged me, I have successfully completed the Specialist Diploma in Specific Learning Differences (SPLD) and have now followed up with the two modules of Post Graduate Certificate in Special Educational Needs / Additional Learning Needs.

Yes, it was a struggle especially after many years of not being in a classroom setting and having to juggle work and personal commitments, but in the end, it was worth it. My studies have helped me excel at my work, have a better understanding of how students struggle with dyslexia, and I now have a richer and more meaningful conversations and I am building stronger relationships with students and parents, I feel I am a strong advocate for the DAS cause.

At a personal level, these studies have helped me become a better person. I am more confident and mindful of individuals with Special Educational Needs and their struggles and the impact this has on family members. It has also taught me much patience and useful strategies when dealing with my son with ASD.

I hope to continue my journey in the quest to further equip myself and keep true to our mission to Help Dyslexic People Achieve!

Taking up a part-time diploma sounds like a demanding commitment. But if you are able to break it down into parts, it is actually manageable. Luckily at DAS Academy, you can literally break the specialist diploma down and stack them up as courses first. That was what I did. After the Understanding Dyslexia course, I attended the Certificate in Dyscalculia and Numeracy Teaching next. It was done out of interest, with hardly any intention of pursuing the diploma. I only decided to do the conversion 2 courses later.

I am not a teacher or a parent. I am simply an advocate for those with learning differences. Working at the Dyslexia Association of Singapore gives me the opportunity to meet such students. Each learner comes with his or her own set of challenges and way of learning, and it is our responsibility, when we can, to give them the support that they need.