Make dyslexia screening compulsory in preschools

I refer to the news feature, “The Big Read: Where kids with and without special needs learn together — and it's not in S'pore” (Sept 28).

I am a mother of a 10-year-old child who was recently diagnosed with dyslexia.

Through my observations and self-education in dyslexia, I realised how ill-informed we are and why change is much needed if we truly believe in becoming an inclusive society and evolving our education system beyond grades.

Statistics suggest that as many as one in five people is dyslexic.

TODAY reported that Singapore has 500 learning and behavioural support allied educators for more than 25,000 students with special needs in mainstream schools here.

This translates to a caseload of 50 students for each allied educator, which is higher than the average class size. This is as good as no aid being given.

It also shows that many dyslexic students remain undiagnosed owing to stigmatisation and a lack of awareness.

Dyslexia is among the most common conditions among children with special needs. It is a learning difference and not a disability, and has no bearing on intelligence.

But if the symptoms are not severe and students are not disruptive in class, most teachers in mainstream schools are unlikely to pick it up owing to a lack of training and sheer class sizes.

In my child's case, it was my own suspicions that led to the discovery of the condition.

Our education culture still focuses primarily on academic results. We teach kids the ability to perform well in tests more than to think. 

Helpless parents will continue to put their children through tuition because of frustration and pressure. Their kids will continue to struggle and lose their self-esteem, not knowing why they could not keep up. 

If an average student finds the school system stressful and stifling, it is much more detrimental for special-needs kids.

This will eventually spiral towards facing low self-worth or a poor parent-child relationship, falling victim to bullying or becoming bullies themselves, dropping out of school, inflicting self-harm, taking drugs, or even committing crimes later in life.

Diversity in skills, particularly creativity and imagination, is much needed in our workforce. People with dyslexia have these in abundance.

Our education system must evolve to meet different learning needs if Singapore is to be an inclusive global educational hub.

Allow the use of technology to change the way we teach and learn. Stop saying that the system needs to be fair because, to children with special needs, it never was in the first place. The system has failed them.

Also, be altruistic in leaving no child behind. Introduce compulsory preschool screening for dyslexia, so that early intervention can happen and every child has a better chance to thrive and reach their potential. Embrace differences and adopt a strength-based approach. 

Perhaps we could even resolve some social issues if we are truly inclusive and not just paying lip service. 

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