KEYNOTE PRESENTERS

DR GEETHA SHANTHA RAM
Director SpLD Assessment Services, English Language and Literacy Division & Staff Professional Development, Registrar, Register of Educational Therapists (Asia), APJDD Executive Editor,
Dyslexia Association of Singapore, DAS Academy Academic & Examination Board Member

Dr Geetha Shantha Ram joined the Dyslexia Association of Singapore (DAS) in 2004. Since 2013, she holds the position of Director of the English Language and Literacy (ELL) Division. In her capacity as Director, Geetha has played a key role in enhancing the ELL Programmes, which include the Main Literacy Programme (MLP), through the implementation of the Essential Literacy Approach and the integration of the MLP curriculum. Geetha is committed to providing targeted support for students with specific needs, which led her to develop two additional programmes: iReaCH, which offers higher-order skills intervention, and iStudySmart(TM), which guides upper secondary and post-secondary students in developing critical executive functioning and study skills. Her oversight extends to the SpLD Assessment Services and Staff Professional Development division, where she has been instrumental in developing professional pathways and ensuring quality assurance of all educational efforts. Geetha also serves as the head of the DAS Research Committee and is the Registrar of the Register of Educational Therapists (Asia) (RETA). Prior to her current role as Director, Geetha served as Assistant Director of the DAS Academy and continues to share her expertise by presenting at various local and international conferences. Geetha holds a Doctorate in Education, a Master’s in English, and a Post Graduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education (Distinction). Her recent research explores twice-exceptionality – the coexistence of giftedness and learning disabilities, which acknowledges the strengths and immense potential of learners with learning differences. With almost two decades of experience supporting individuals with dyslexia, Geetha is dedicated to providing high-quality services that redefine their potential and encourage them to appreciate their unique abilities.

I Learn Differently:  Supporting students who struggle to learn

This keynote presentation delves into the often-overlooked demographic of individuals who learn differently (ILD) within educational settings. While not formally diagnosed with conditions like dyslexia, ILDs face significant learning challenges that impact their academic journey. Surprisingly, they constitute a sizable portion of the student body, outnumbering those officially recognised with special educational needs (SEN). Despite their diverse strengths and weaknesses, ILDs navigate a complex educational landscape marked by hurdles such as processing speed deficits and intermittent academic setbacks.

Drawing on case studies and empirical data collected through the Dyslexia Association of Singapore’s (DAS) initiatives, this presentation sheds light on the presence of ILDs and underscores the transformative benefits of the targeted interventions. It showcases how tailored support can empower ILDs to unlock their true potential across various subjects and age groups.

In the context of Singapore's commendable efforts to support students with diagnosed conditions, there exists a pressing need to broaden attention to encompass this larger cohort of learners who may require supplementary assistance despite lacking formal diagnoses. This need is particularly salient within the framework of compulsory education, where all Singaporean children, including those with mild SEN, are mandated to enrol in mainstream schools equipped to accommodate diverse learning needs. Embracing and addressing the challenges faced by ILDs not only fosters inclusivity but also enriches the educational landscape for all learners.

Keywords:  Dyslexia, Special Educational Needs (SEN), struggling learners, Educational therapy, intervention, response to intervention.

DR MARTIN BLOOMFIELD
Founder, Dyslexia Bytes - www.youtube.com/@DyslexiaBytes
Editor in Chief, NeuroConverse
Steering Committee Member, the Accessible Learning Foundation
Lecturer, the Berlin School of Business and Law

Martin has taught and worked in dyslexia and neurodiversity awareness for over twenty years, winning a Commendation for Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion from the British Council, sitting on a UK Parliamentary Advisory Board for dyslexia and neurodiversity, participating in the UK’s Centre for Social Justice “dyslexia and the criminal justice system” roundtable, and more recently taking up a position as a steering committee member for Britain’s national Accessible Learning Foundation, launched in Westminster Palace. 

Heavily involved with European-funded projects such as The Dyslexia Compass (aligning international dyslexia measurements across Europe), The SEN Toolkit (providing free neurodiversity training for mainstream teachers) and Autism Spectrum Pathways (helping autistic jobseekers find stable and fulfilling employment), Martin runs the Dyslexia Bytes project, raising awareness of dyslexia from an intercultural perspective, and has created the Dyslexia Map, the world’s most comprehensive map of dyslexia providers around the world. 

He is currently a Distinguished Fellow of the International Forum of Inclusion Practitioners, a member of GIEN, the Global Inclusive Education Network, a member of DAE – Dyslexia in Adults across Europe, a director of Nigeria’s Amina Dyslexia Centre, and is researching a book on intercultural perspectives on dyslexia. 

Martin delivers consultancy, lectureships, teacher training, and awareness courses on dyslexia and Special Educational Needs in universities, government departments, and businesses across Europe. He holds a PhD in ethics and diversity from the University of York.

Literal Inequality: The Injustice of Dyslexia 

Dyslexia is not merely a literacy issue. UNESCO has identified literacy as a human right, yet the disproportionate number of dyslexics in prison, sleeping rough, and suffering mental health problems shows that where it matters, those who need it most are being denied the very thing they’re entitled to – sometimes through ignorance or refusal, but often, through fear of expense – even where the economic case for inclusive education is overwhelming.

Injustice is hardwired into our practices: from the earliest mentions of dyslexia in the scientific literature, society has labelled children as deficient, disabled, and even (in some cases) cursed. The education system has institutionalised feelings of worthlessness for dyslexic children. The medical profession has contributed to millions of early and preventable deaths. Artificial Intelligence, even while offering solutions to many of the challenges that dyslexic students face, itself reflects, magnifies, and creates further inequalities. From all sides, some of our most vulnerable children and adults are stigmatised.

And yet it doesn’t have to be like that. Alternative provision can and does produce extraordinary results. Indeed, we know that dyslexics actually outperform non-dyslexics when given appropriate teaching. We know what works; we know how to apply it; and we know how cost-effective it is. The only question is – what’s stopping us?

This talk is a call to arms. Dynamic and interactive, it will present some startling facts, statistics, and research. Attendees will leave with a new understanding of where the injustices lie, and how to challenge and change them. 

KEYWORDS:  Dyslexia, SpLD, Neurodiversity, Neurodivergent, Ethics, Justice, Injustice, Equality, Inequality, Equity, Mental health, Literacy, Human rights, Education

TINA TAN  & DR FRANKIE TAN

Dr Frankie Tan and Tina Tan have been married for 22 years, and are parents to three sons, aged 21, 20 and 15. Frankie is a Sport and Exercise Physiologist with Sport Singapore and has been an active advocate for Dads for Life and manhood initiatives. Tina is a Social Worker and freelance parent coach and trainer and is currently pursuing her Masters of Arts (SEN/ALN) with the University of South Wales as a scholar under DAS Academy. Tina has been serving with SPARK, a charity serving ADHD families in Singapore, since 2017. The couple often mentor young couples, men and women, and parents in various life issues and special needs parenting. They are also actively supporting School Parent Support Groups in their setting up of parent-peer support groups for parents with children with challenging behaviours and special needs. 

Parenting Diverse Needs - A Father and Mother's Voice 

Parents of children with special needs go through many unseen struggles. From unpredictable and frequent interruptions to daily family life to facing huge strains on family relationships and resources. From the process of identifying the child's needs to accessing a diagnosis to coming to terms with what the diagnosis entails. Parents seem to face an endless and undulating journey of loving and supporting their difficult child towards a more normal growth and development, whilst navigating the pressures of societal demands on them and their children to "be normal" and "not a disruption" to their peers and teachers. 

Listen to Frankie and Tina share their personal journeys and life lessons as they have journeyed with their now 20-year-old son, who was diagnosed with ADHD and Dyslexia at age 6, and Autism Spectrum Disorder at age 10. While learning to support their son, they've also reached out to support other fathers and mothers along the same journey as themselves. They will reflect on the unseen and unspoken challenges parents face, as well as the critical role parents play in helping their children access and engage interventions towards coping with and even overcoming their challenges.