View Sharyfah's Bio

Sharyfah Nur Fitriya

Fellow

Why did you choose to work in the field of SpLD?

 

I chose to work in the field of specific learning differences because I have a passion for helping children reach their full potential. I wanted to make a difference for these children by providing the support, accommodations, and individualised teaching strategies they need to thrive. Every child deserves an education that meets their unique learning style and needs, and I feel honoured to play a small role in making that possible. Working with these amazing students and seeing them succeed brings me joy and fulfils my life’s purpose. I hope to continue empowering children with learning differences for many years to come.

 

What is one thing that never fails to make you smile in the work that you do?

 

One thing that never fails to make me smile in my work is seeing a child with special needs or learning difficulties overcome an obstacle. I work with many children who have dyslexia, autism, and other conditions. When these kids finally “get”; a concept they’ve been struggling with or accomplish a task they’ve been practising, the look of pride and joy on their faces is absolutely priceless. Their smiles light up the room and remind me what’s truly important – helping every child reach their full potential. Those moments of success, however small they may seem, fill me with so much hope and happiness. The progress these kids make may be incremental, but it’s real and meaningful. And celebrating that progress together is the best part of my job.

 

What do you think is the most important quality/value/belief a person must have when working in the field of Special Education?

 

The most important quality one must possess when working in the field of special education is compassion. As an educator working with children with special needs, dyslexia, autism, and other challenges, I understand that these children learn and see the world differently. My role is to meet them where they are, accommodate their unique needs, and help them grow to their full potential.

 

To do this well requires patience, sensitivity and a deep desire to help. I strive to see each child for who they truly are – gifted individuals who simply learn in different ways. My goal is to find joy in their progress, no matter how small, and celebrate their strengths. Each smile, each accomplishment, no matter how seemingly insignificant, reminds me of why I chose this career – to make a positive difference in the lives of these wonderful children.

 

What is the one thing you would do to improve special education in your country?

 

If I had one thing I could do to improve special education in my country, it would be to increase funding and resources for early intervention programs for children with special needs.

 

The earlier we can identify and provide support for children with conditions like autism, dyslexia, and ADHD, the better their long-term outcomes. Early intervention therapies during a child’s formative years, from birth to age 5, can have huge impacts on their development and ability to learn. But too often, these programs are underfunded and have long waitlists. Parents struggle to get their children the assessments and therapies they need. If I could change one thing, I would work to ensure that every child with special needs has access to high-quality early intervention programs, from occupational therapy to speech therapy to applied behaviour analysis.

 

With the right support from a young age, many special needs children can thrive in mainstream classrooms and go on to lead independent and productive lives. So providing more funding and resources for early intervention would be a crucial first step towards improving outcomes for these kids and setting them up for success.

 

What motivated you to become a RETA member and how has it benefitted you?

 

I became a RETA member because I am passionate about helping children with special needs, especially those with dyslexia. As an educational therapist, I work one-on-one with dyslexic children to help them overcome their challenges and achieve academic success.

 

Joining RETA has given me access to a community of like- minded professionals who I can learn from and collaborate with. The training courses and professional development opportunities provided by RETA have helped me stay up to date with the latest research and strategies for working with dyslexic children.

 

Being a RETA member has also given me credibility with parents who are looking for an educational therapist for their dyslexic child. Knowing that I meet RETA’s standards of training and experience provides parents with peace of mind that their child is getting the best possible care. Overall, RETA membership has connected me with resources and a network that has enriched my practice and allowed me to better serve my students.

 

What advice would you give someone who has special educational needs or lives/works with people with special educational needs?

 

There are a few key pieces of advice I would give.

 

First, focus on strengths, not deficits. All people, including those with special needs, have strengths and things they excel at. Highlighting and building on those strengths will help them thrive.

 

Second, set realistic but challenging goals. Goals that are too easy will not motivate, but goals that seem impossible will be discouraging. Work with the individual to set goals at the “just right” level of challenge.

 

Third, provide plenty of encouragement, support, and patience. People with special needs may need more time, repetition, and encouragement to learn new things. Positive reinforcement goes a long way.

 

Fourth, foster independence as much as possible. Give opportunities for the individual to make choices, attempt tasks on their own, and solve problems independently. Independence builds self-esteem and self-confidence.

 

Finally, connect the individual with resources and support. There are many organisations, therapists, educators, and technologies that can help people with special needs learn and grow. Take advantage of these resources to help supplement your efforts. With the right combination of strengths-focused teaching, goal setting, encouragement, independence, and outside support, people with special educational needs can thrive and achieve more than what seems possible at first glance.