Latest news with #DyslexiaAssociationofSingapore
Straits Times
17-07-2025
- Health
- Straits Times
Forum: Ensure neurodivergent students are not left behind in digital age
I refer to the article, ' Don't know how to be human any more? Why some young adults need a course on how to talk ' (July 11). While the article was about young people who lack the confidence to communicate well, as an educational therapist at the Dyslexia Association of Singapore (DAS), I see first-hand how this challenge also affects neurodivergent learners, especially as they enter tertiary education and prepare for working life. Many of our students face longstanding difficulties in expressing themselves due to challenges like retrieving the right words, executive function strain and fears of being judged for spelling or speech errors. Many have had their confidence eroded by negative classroom experiences and limited opportunities to practise speaking in supportive settings. At DAS, we address this through programmes like iStudySmart, where upper secondary students are given a safe space to build both communication and executive functioning skills. For neurodivergent learners, regular and structured practice in public speaking can help them to confront and overcome the anxiety that often accompanies social and academic settings. The transformation we witness is often profound: Students who once avoided speaking in class begin to step forward and share their ideas with conviction. Yet this change does not come easily. It takes time, practice and the guidance of dedicated educators. In a world increasingly dominated by passive digital consumption, we need to ensure that those who learn differently are not left behind. Beyond academic skills, they need the confidence to engage in meaningful conversations and present their ideas with clarity and confidence. Only then can they truly find their voices and thrive in the world. Lim Jia Hui Programme Manager and Senior Educational Therapist Dyslexia Association of Singapore
Business Times
06-06-2025
- General
- Business Times
Art by dyslexic children brighten i Light Singapore 2025
[SINGAPORE] Cavenagh Bridge stretching across the Singapore River will be lit up until Jul 20 – not with lights, but with neon ink on large bamboo sticks that have been drawn on by children across the country. They worked with ultraviolet markers with glow-in-the-dark ink. A thousand bamboo sticks – which each span more than 1 m in length – were then strung together to light up the Bridge of 1,000 Dreams. On May 10, hundreds of children gathered at South Beach for this initiative. The bridge is one of the displays at i Light Singapore 2025, a light art festival that is sponsored by UOB. About 60 of the children were beneficiaries from the Dyslexia Association of Singapore (DAS), a long-time community partner of UOB. The bank organised the art workshop. One such beneficiary was 11-year-old Primary 6 student Selina Grace Goh, who previously faced criticisms from her peers for being a slow learner. After attending DAS classes in Primary 4, her learning began to improve significantly, and she has become more confident. On her bamboo stick, Goh drew a paintbrush and palette to show her passion for art. She has always liked art because it is a creative outlet that allows her to express herself, and it keeps her calm. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 2 pm Lifestyle Our picks of the latest dining, travel and leisure options to treat yourself. Sign Up Sign Up Selina Grace Goh (left) with Leonard Tan, head of group corporate social responsibility at UOB; she has drawn on her bamboo stick a paintbrush and palette to show her passion for art. PHOTO: UOB The 1,000 bamboo sticks each have different drawings and symbolise Singapore's shared growth, noted UOB. This is in conjunction with UOB's 90th anniversary and SG60. The bamboo sticks are decorated using ultraviolet markers with glow-in-the-dark ink. PHOTO: UOB Leonard Tan, head of group corporate social responsibility at UOB, said: 'In this activity, the children get to share their dreams and aspirations for Singapore – and for themselves as well. The interesting and fun thing for them is that they can be proud of their artwork being displayed at Cavenagh Bridge at i Light, and they can bring their family and friends to come and enjoy this piece of public art.' After i Light is over, they will be able to take the bamboo sticks home to keep as mementos. The festival features 17 light installations in total, with Bridge of 1,000 Dreams as one of its new exhibits. UOB's giving-back efforts are focused on children, art and education. 'Being future-oriented, children are a key focus group. And with that, we want to enhance their lives – especially those from underserved communities – and level them up through programmes and experiences in education and art,' Tan added. Earlier in May, UOB launched its first Learning Playzone at The Artground to teach financial literacy skills to kids through role-playing activities and art. The bank also currently supports Fresh, a programme run by charity Children's Wishing Well, in which UOB volunteers bring groups of children to the supermarket to learn about budgeting and nutrition twice a month. Each child is paired with a volunteer and given S$50 for the shopping experience. i Light Singapore 2025 runs nightly till Jun 21 while Bridge of 1,000 Dreams will extend until Jul 20.
