Altuz Academy Orton-Gillingham Reading Specialist & Dyslexia Centre

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

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As special education teachers, we are 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 , we'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 we'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 we 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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Handwriting Directions
By Dr Choy Su-Ling

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!

One way of embracing neurodiversity is to recognize that 'time' has different heartbeats. Alternatively, you might view 'time' as existing in different time zones. For instance, during countdowns, Malaysia celebrates the new year first, followed by other countries.

In a diagnosis (of sorts), there is inevitably developmental delay in one or more cognitive or physical domains. While typical children start ballet, taekwondo, piano, and other enrichment classes as early as four years old, neurodiverse children often spend much of their early years in therapy.

Well-meaning parents sometimes overload their child's schedules with various activities, compromising therapy and treating it as just "another enrichment class". However, it's crucial to prioritize therapy and plan other activities around it. Without addressing the fundamental issues, neurodiverse children may not be fully equipped to succeed in other areas.

Delaying therapy and hindering its progress won't benefit the child. The sooner a child completes therapy, the sooner they can engage in all the activities they love.

In conjunction with , here's an inspiring story: a woman made her Olympic debut at 58 years old!"



*****
Zeng Zhiying, who was born in China, has made her Olympics debut at 58-years old for Chile after an incredible journey.

At age 18, she expected to go to the Olympics for China, as one of the best players in the world, but then table tennis changed out the two-sided paddles, and her game was thrown off

Zhiying never made the team and became incredibly frustrated with the sport, leading her to retiring from the game as a player at 20-years-old.

Shortly after, she moved to Chile and coached various table tennis teams and then in 2000, she decided to get a "real job" and step away from the game X.

She didn't play for 20 years until COVID hit, she bought a table and started playing again.

Zhiying made it a goal to make the 2024 Olympics representing Chile and, at age 58... she did it!

What an inspiration 🥺❤

Dyslexia and Self-Esteem: A Vicious Cycle

Struggling with Reading and Writing

Dyslexia is a specific learning disorder that affects reading, spelling, and writing abilities. Individuals with dyslexia often encounter challenges in decoding words, recognizing patterns, and understanding written text. These difficulties can lead to frustration, especially in academic settings where reading and writing are essential.

Negative Feedback and Perceptions

When dyslexic individuals receive negative feedback or face academic setbacks, their self-esteem can suffer. Classmates, teachers, or family members may unintentionally reinforce feelings of inadequacy. The perception of being "different" or "slower" can erode self-confidence.

Comparisons and Social Isolation

Dyslexic individuals may compare themselves unfavorably to peers who excel in reading and writing. Social situations can be challenging, as they fear judgment or ridicule. Over time, this can lead to social withdrawal and feelings of isolation.

Self-Blame and Internalization

Dyslexia-related struggles can lead to self-blame. Individuals may think, "Why can't I read like everyone else?" Internalizing these negative thoughts contributes to low self-esteem. The cycle continues: low self-esteem affects motivation, leading to further academic difficulties.

Impacts Beyond Academics

Dyslexia affects more than just school performance. It can impact career choices, relationships, and overall well-being. When self-esteem is low, individuals may avoid pursuing certain opportunities or taking risks.

Breaking the Cycle

Awareness and understanding are crucial. Dyslexic individuals benefit from knowing they're not alone. Encouragement, positive reinforcement, and targeted interventions can boost self-esteem. Celebrating small victories and focusing on strengths help build resilience.

🌟 Remember...

Dyslexia doesn't define a person's worth. Many successful individuals, including entrepreneurs, artists, and scientists, have dyslexia. By fostering self-acceptance and emphasizing strengths, we can empower dyslexic individuals to thrive.

Embracing our decisions with love and conviction empowers us to stand tall, regardless of external validation. When we genuinely believe in our choices, the opinions of others matter less.

Why? Because true confidence radiates from within. When we prioritize self-approval over seeking constant approval from others, we unlock a powerful mindset.

How can you apply this? Reflect on your recent decisions. Did you make them out of passion, purpose, or fear of judgment? Trust your instincts, and remember that your path is uniquely yours. 🌈

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Happy Father's Day to all amazing dads!

(free printables)

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A good teacher is like a candle - it consumes itself to light the way for others.

Wishing all dedicated teachers a very Happy Teacher's day.

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#阅读障碍 #学习困难 #阅读障碍中心 www.altuzacademy.com

"A mother's love knows no boundaries, no limits, and no conditions."

Happy Mother's Day ❤️

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Join us this Friday and Saturday. Dr Choy's slot is 2.30pm, Saturday!