17-07-2025
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
