Shilpa is a Senior Specialist Tutor at the Dyslexia Association of Singapore Limited (International). She has 15 years of experience teaching in Specific Learning Differences (SpLD). Shilpa has also been a Fellow of the Register of Educational Therapists, Asia (RETA) since 2016. She was motivated to be a RETA member as she felt it provided her the platform to access research articles as well as to learn from other RETA members. Shilpa also has a Bachelor in Statistics and a Bachelor of Law and Legislation.

Shilpa started her teaching career with a private preschool in Singapore, which catered to children of various nationalities. Her interaction with some students who had learning difficulties drove her to train in the Orton-Gillingham Approach, and obtain a Diploma in Dyslexia, so that she could further provide support to children with special learning needs.

Before she joined DAS International, she taught Literacy and Math to students with multiple learning difficulties including dyslexia, dyscalculia, and ADHD for about 6 years as a private tutor. She supported students across grades k to 12 from both local and international schools.

Having a strong background and passion in Mathematics allows her to drive the same love of the subject in her students. Her aim is to understand the strengths, weaknesses, and learning styles of children in order to design individualised programs to help and motivate them to achieve their targets. She believes that it is important to build a strong rapport with students and create a conducive learning environment for the smooth delivery of knowledge.

When asked ‘What is one thing that never fails to make you smile in the work that you do?’ Shilpa shares, ‘The role reversal during our teaching session. My student assumes the role of the teacher, puts in considerable effort to teach me something, and is immensely proud of it. It never fails to make me smile to be part of that achievement.’

Shilpa feels that it is important to make assistive technology easily available and affordable for children with SpLD, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds in order to improve special education in Singapore.