UNITE SpLD 2021 Conference Day 2 – 25th June 2021

Register of Educational Therapists (ASIA) RETA – Case Management Discussion
Supporting Learners with Dyslexia and Language Difficulties

 
Dyslexia, characterized by poor decoding abilities, word recognition and spelling, is typically the result of a deficit in the phonological component of language (Lyon et al 2003). On the other hand, language difficulties manifest when children’s language development is deficient (Bishop, 2006). Children diagnosed with both dyslexia and language difficulties face many challenges to sustain language learning although they possess normal intelligence. With phonological difficulties, reading and spelling can be an arduous task. Additionally, despite effective classroom instructions on grammar and vocabulary, these children often struggle with receptive and expressive language skills which can be seen in their poor ability to use the right grammar and vocabulary in their speech and written work. These challenges, when compounded, can impede learning and educational development such that they do unsatisfactorily in school and underachieve in their academic pursuits. At the Dyslexia Association of Singapore (DAS), such students are given phonics instructions and explicit teaching of language skills to remediate literacy and language difficulties. This presentation will highlight 2-3 case studies on how these students are supported on the Main Literacy Programme and Specialised Educational Services such as Speech and Language Therapy as well as Speech and Drama Arts.
 

Presenters & Panelists Bio

Hani Zohra Muhamad, Lead Educational Therapist and Educational Advisor, Dyslexia Association of Singapore
Fellow of RETA

Hani Zohra Muhamad is a Lead Educational Therapist and an Educational Advisor (EA). Hani joined the Dyslexia Association of Singapore in 2006 and has over the years been teaching and working with students with dyslexia and other co-morbidities. Hani also contributes to the mentoring and training of new educational therapists, as well as support colleagues with challenging students.

Hani holds a Masters Degree in Education (Special Education) from Nanyang Technological University (NIE-NTU), a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Management from University of London (UOL) and a Cambridge International Diploma for Teachers and Trainers (Dyslexia). Hani is a Fellow member of the Register of Educational Therapist Asia (RETA).

Ho Shuet Lian, Senior Speech-Language Therapist, Dyslexia Association of Singapore

Shuet Lian graduated from the National University of Singapore with a Master of Science degree in Speech and Language Pathology. She completed a Master of Business Administration (MBA) programme from the University of Leeds with Distinction. She is a member of Speech and Language Therapy Singapore (SALTS) and is registered with the Allied Health Professions Council (AHPC).

Her work involves providing speech, language, and communication assessment as well as intervention services to children with specific learning differences. Her clinical experience includes working with children between the ages of 5 and 16 years. Shuet Lian’s clinical expertise has led to her engagement by Northlight School to provide specialised intervention for its students over four years. She provides advice and clinical support to educational therapists and newly qualified speech-language therapists at DAS.

Lee Er Ker, Senior Speech-Language Therapist, Dyslexia Association of Singapore

Lee is a Senior Speech and Language Therapist who has more than 9 years’ working experience working with and helping children in mainstream schools with speech, language and communication needs, with or without a diagnosis of dyslexia, as well as managing speech, language, swallowing/feeding and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) issues faced by children and teenagers with special needs in both an EIPIC centre and a Special Education (SPED) school, many of whom have multiple disabilities and complex communication needs.

Although the primary scope of his present work involves assessment and intervention, Lee has developed and conducted numerous training workshops for allied health professionals, special education and mainstream school teachers, parents and caregivers over the years. In addition, he has lectured and tutored at the university level for the National University of Singapore (NUS) M.Sc. (Speech and Language Pathology) the programme, and is a regular External Clinical Educator for students from the same programme on clinical placement. Since joining DAS, he has co-conducted the Certificate in Understanding Speech, Language and Communication Needs course at the DAS Academy and presented at past editions of the DAS Preschool Seminar and UNITE SPLD.

Lee joined DAS in 2016 and is currently registered with The Allied Health Professions Council (Full Registration). Prior to being a speech and language therapist, he was a qualified Ministry of Education (MOE) mainstream school, teacher.

Chua Minqi, Senior Specialist Psychologist, Dyslexia Association of Singapore

Minqi has been a psychologist at the Dyslexia Association of Singapore since 2012. She is a registered psychologist with the Singapore Register of Psychologists and a full member of the Singapore Psychological Society. As a member of the SPLD Assessment Services, she conducts psycho-educational assessments as part of the process for investigating learning difficulties and neurodevelopmental disorders. Minqi is also involved in the placement of students in programmes at the DAS, conducting workshops and training sessions, as well as various research projects.