Things you might not know about special education in Malaysia

Parents do their best to provide the best education for their children. However, despite your best efforts, you may be unaware that your children are struggling with a learning disability.

Did you know that, according to the Ministry of Health, around 4 to 8% of school-aged children in Malaysia navigate the challenges of dyslexia? It's commonly described as the most common learning disability affecting school-goers.

Meanwhile, former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin said from 2010 until 2021, about 19% of children aged 18 and below were diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In many cases,  learning difficulties may be extremely hard to identify. Your kids may appear just as intelligent as others, and have no issue with verbal communication.

While learning disabilities are challenging for caregivers, it does not indicate a less capable child. They may require an adjustment, but intervention programmes and the latest assistive technologies have transformed how students with special needs learn. Many have been able to achieve and thrive alongside their peers with few problems.

It is still important to try and enhance awareness, continue educational efforts, and provide accessible information, so you can continue to support your children in whatever issue they may face.

Inclusive education policies in Malaysia

As of June 30, 2019, the Education Ministry has officially registered 87,574 students under special needs education. However, the actual number of children not registered, undiagnosed, or misdiagnosed remains unknown.

There has been a significant increase in awareness regarding the importance of special needs education in Malaysia. The government’s commitment shows through various schooling options set up under the national special needs education system in Malaysia over the years, mainly:

• Special Education Schools: schools set up specifically for special needs students, including dyslexia, autism, and ADHD. Parents may access the list here.
• Special Education Integrated Programme (SEIP): a dedicated classroom at public primary and secondary schools for students with special needs.
• Inclusive Education Programme: an inclusive programme at primary and secondary schools that allows students with special needs to fully or partially follow regular classroom teaching and learning sessions (T&L) based on their abilities.

Beyond government policies: Other support for special education

There are plenty of private education centres dedicated to early intervention to support children with learning difficulties such as dyslexia and autism. International schools also have dedicated programmes tailored for inclusive learning:

The International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL)

Location: Ampang Hilir

Specialty: Provides Life-Centered Education (LCE) for students with significant intellectual, learning, or developmental differences. Also provides tailored plans based on each student’s needs within an inclusive setting

Sri KDU International School

Location: Subang Jaya, Klang, Kota Damansara

Specialty: Individual Education Plan (IEP) curated and moderated by trained teachers and external therapists, which considers both strengths and challenges to help students overcome difficulties

Asia Pacific Schools

Location: Subang

Specialty: Special Education Needs (SEN) Department equipped with specialists and experienced teachers. Offers a Transition Support Programme that aims to help students transition into regular school life with regular assessments.

Tenby Schools Setia EcoHill

Location: Shah Alam, Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh, Penang, Johor Bharu

Specialty: A learning Centre equipped with a student support hub on campus with

specialists providing guidance, teaching aids, and technology for children with learning difficulties. Offers cognitive tests upon joining to determine if additional learning support or personalised learning plans are needed.

Beyond public and private institutions

Nothing compares to the support children receive at home. Here are some ways you can instil a positive learning environment for your child with special needs, so they receive the utmost care:

• Encourage open communication: Create a safe space for your child to express themselves. Open and honest communication builds trust and allows you to understand their needs better.

• Individualised learning plans: Work with educators to develop personalised learning plans tailored to your child's strengths and challenges

• Celebrate achievements: Acknowledge and celebrate your child's achievements, no matter how small. Positive reinforcement fosters confidence and motivation.

• Establish routines: Predictability is crucial for children with special needs. Establishing consistent routines helps them feel secure and enhances their ability to navigate daily tasks

• Provide a variety of learning resources: Offer a range of learning materials and resources that cater to different learning styles. This encourages engagement and helps discover the most effective ways your child learns.

• Be creative! Use assistive technology: Assistive technology can help kids with basic communication, reading, writing, math, organisation, learning and even social skills or sensory overstimulation. Speech-to-text or text-to-speech apps such as ReadSpeaker TextAid or Voice Dream Reader can be helpful for children with dyslexia. Meanwhile, other online programmes such as Model Me Kids use video modelling to help children with autism with their social skills. Do your research and benefit from the latest tech!

• Promote social interaction: Encourage social interactions with peers through playdates, extracurricular activities, or involvement in support groups. Socialisation is vital for overall development.

• Patience and empathy: Progress may come at a different pace for each child. Be supportive and encouraging throughout your child’s unique learning journey.

• Join support groups: Trying to support a child with a learning difficulty may feel isolating. Thankfully, there are plenty of support groups you can join, so you can gather support from parents who are in the same boat.

Challenges and advocacy efforts for special education

The journey of special education in Malaysia is not without its challenges. Navigating through resource constraints, awareness gaps, and societal stigmas poses hurdles to the system.

To truly make a difference, community involvement is paramount. Parents of children with special needs often grapple with hidden costs, emphasising the need for comprehensive financial management that covers learning disabilities.

At FWD Takaful, we believe that giving priority to the needs of persons with disabilities is not special treatment, but fair treatment, given the extra challenges they may face. With FWD SpecialMed 2, we can get this community the access to the healthcare and support services they deserve.

With coverage of up to RM200,000 with no lifetime limit, FWD SpecialMed 2 is a comprehensive medical plan designed for individuals with visual, hearing, and learning disabilities such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Tourette Syndrome, Down Syndrome, and more. The plan covers inpatient and outpatient medical expenses, including emergency accidental outpatient or dental treatment as well as a companion bed so the person covered can recover in comfort with their parent/guardian close by.