Dr Choy Su-Ling Certified Dyslexia and Reading Specialist

Gong Xi Fa Cai and 新年快乐!

May the Year of the Snake bring you wisdom, grace, and prosperity. Let's embrace the spirit of renewal and growth, cherishing moments with family and friends. Wishing you success in all your endeavors and may your path be filled with good fortune and joy. 恭喜发财! 🐍🧧🍊

新年快乐! 祝您蛇年聪慧灵巧，事业蒸蒸日上，家庭幸福安康! www.altuzacademy.com

Altuz Academy wishes all a very blessed Christmas and Happy Holidays.

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Wishing all who celebrate a very !

Non-speaking does not mean non-thinking, non-hearing, non-understanding, or non-feeling.

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As a special education teacher, I am constantly reminded that communication takes many forms, and language is just one of them. One of the greatest misconceptions about non-verbal students is that their inability to speak reflects an inability to think, understand, or feel. This could not be further from the truth. Our students may not communicate through words, but they are listening, processing, and expressing in their own ways, often more profoundly than we can imagine.

We must shift our mindset from expecting conventional responses to appreciating the rich diversity of human expression. Whether it’s through body language, eye gaze, sign language, assistive technology, or art, our students have voices — they simply communicate differently.

As educators, it's our responsibility to recognize and honor these unique ways of connecting. We must advocate for and create environments that are inclusive of all communication styles. It’s crucial to understand that non-speaking does not equate to a lack of intelligence or emotional depth. These students think critically, have feelings, and can form strong connections with others.

Our role is not just to teach, but to listen deeply and provide opportunities for our students to express themselves in ways that resonate with who they are. Let’s break the silence and challenge the assumptions that surround non-speaking individuals. They have so much to contribute, and it’s our privilege to help amplify their voices.

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Small Steps

As a , I’ve learned that success is often found in the smallest of steps. When working with children who have varying abilities and challenges, we don’t measure progress in leaps and bounds, but in moments of growth that may seem small to an outsider but are monumental to us.

The journey of learning is different for each child, and those with special needs often face barriers that require patience, persistence, and tailored strategies to overcome. In this context, we have to redefine what success looks like. It’s not always about reaching the same milestones at the same time as their peers but about moving forward at their own pace.

One of the key lessons I’ve embraced over the years is that small steps are not just steps toward bigger achievements — they are achievements in themselves. A child learning to communicate their needs, for example, might not yet have full sentences, but the moment they use a new word or gesture is a breakthrough. We celebrate those moments because they represent progress, no matter how small they may appear.

The importance of small steps extends beyond the classroom, too. As educators, we work hand-in-hand with parents and caregivers, reminding them to focus on what their child *can* do, rather than what they can't. When we focus on small, incremental progress, we build confidence, self-esteem, and motivation — all of which are critical in any learning journey.

For many of the students I work with, traditional methods don’t always apply. We often need to break down tasks into smaller, manageable pieces and introduce them slowly, over time. What may take one child an hour could take another much longer, and that’s okay.

Small steps also allow us to adapt to setbacks in a way that doesn’t feel overwhelming. When the goalposts are closer, it's easier to bounce back when challenges arise. Progress might not be linear, but with every step forward, we’re building toward long-term success. And when things don’t go as planned, those smaller goals allow us to pivot, rethink our approach, and keep moving forward without losing hope.

So, whether you're a teacher, a parent, or even a student yourself, remember this: small steps lead to big changes. Celebrate them. Recognize the power in moving forward, even if it feels slow. Each step forward is a victory, and together, they create a path to achievement that’s uniquely ours.

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We are the ones we have been waiting for. We just have to realize it ❤️.

In a world full of challenges and opportunities, it's easy to look outward for solutions. But the truth is, the power to create change lies within us. We possess the strength, creativity, and resilience to shape our future. It's time to recognize our potential and step into our roles as leaders and innovators. Let's embrace our capabilities and take action. Together, we can make a difference. 💪❤️

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Yes, we totally slay 😆.

I'm reserved.... (wait, there's more 😆).

I'm reserved, especially when it comes to my family. I reserve time for dinner, laughter over little things, and moments that matter most. I may not always be the life of the party, but I'm the one who saves energy for bedtime stories, weekend (foodie) adventures, and heartfelt conversations. Being reserved means prioritizing the people who give life meaning—and that’s a reservation I’ll always make ❤️.

Have you made a reservation with your family lately?

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Handwriting Directions

I was travelling the last two weeks and the first thing that greeted me in Hong Kong was this toilet sink that made sense. I love that we could do everything in one place. No need to move somewhere to get soap, and then somewhere else to dry our hands.

Why did I post this? And how is it related to handwriting?

Well, the sink got me thinking - why left to right, and not right to left? The Chinese writing system started from top to bottom, and now reads left to right. Would it not be more natural to start with soap on the left, then wash, and lastly, dry on the right?

Currently, there are still 12 languages that are written from the right to the left: Arabic, Aramaic, Azeri, Divehi, Fula, Hebrew, Kurdish, N'ko, Persian, Rohingya, Syriac, and Urdu.

Latin, Modern Greek, Cyrillic, Indic and Southeast Asian are written left to right. Therefore, most of the modern languages of Europe, North and South America, India and Southeast Asia are written left to right.

A child with dyslexia and dysgraphia may struggle to write in the correct order or sequence. This has got nothing to do with their vision, but rather an orthographic weakness. The good news is that, this can be remediated with proper intervention.

If your child or student is writing 'tac' or 'cta' instead of 'cat', please speak to us today.

Can You Perform Under Pressure?

The whole of Malaysia celebrated an Olympic win yesterday with a Bronze medal brought home by badminton duo Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik.

The talk of the town was certainly the fighting spirit of the pair who won 16-21, 22-20, and 21-19.

After losing the first match, the pair was trailing 16-20 before making an amazing comeback with six consecutive points to win 22-20!

In the business of nurturing young minds, what can we learn from our Olympic champions?

There is tremendous transformative power in teaching kids resilience and self-assurance.

While we do not expect them to possess the mental strength (yet) of our national athletes, we can certainly start now, and from as young as possible.

Some of the key strategies that we can adopt are:

1. Mindset Mastery:
Encourage kids to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. Teach them that setbacks are stepping stones, not stumbling blocks.

2. Positive Self-Talk:
Equip them with empowering affirmations. When faced with pressure, remind them: “I am capable. I am resilient.”

3. Visualization:
Guide kids to visualize success. Whether it’s a school presentation or a sports match, mental rehearsal boosts confidence.

Remember, teaching kids to handle pressure isn’t just about performance—it’s about building lifelong resilience. Let’s empower the next generation!