SEN and other support information

Withdrawal, in-class and recess support, specialised remediation for students in the areas of learning, behavioural, as well as social emotional needs
Implementation of Individual Education Plans for students with high needs
Data-driven decision-making processes to inform students’ support and progress
Consultation to teachers to facilitate better understanding of the students’ needs and how to support them.
Case conferences with teachers and within the Case Management team to discuss support for students
Capacity building sessions for teachers and workshops for parents
Close home-school collaboration between teachers and parents
Collaboration with and/ or referral to MOE Educational Psychologists, external agencies and hospitals, and special schools

What is Autism?

Brain processes information differently or think differently
Delay in meeting developmental milestones
Is not an illness/ disease
There is no cure
People with ASD can LEARN skills to adapt
As the person with ASD grows, the nature and intensity of the behaviour may change

Core Characteristics

Social Interaction	Social Communication	Flexibility of Thoughts & Behaviour
Poor eye contact	Echo another person’s speech (echolalia); may confuse with pronouns “I” and “You”	Flapping of hands, spinning or spinning objects, head banging, staring at ceiling fans for hours, etc.
Prefer to be alone; may interact with others but only to obtain objects or to talk about own stereotypic interest	May exhibit unusual speech pattern; use words without understanding their meanings	Difficulty coping with changes in routines, the environment, etc.
Unable to understand other’s feelings	Use and understanding of language tend to be literal; unable to initiate and engage in a conversation

Other Characteristics

Strategies

What is Dyslexia?

Is a condition that makes it very difficult for children to read, write and/or spell
Often, weaknesses may be seen in areas such as of language development, memory and sequencing
Having dyslexia does not mean that your child’s ability to learn is below average
Biological / genetic
A difference in the part of the brain that deals with language
Brain processes information differently
Continues throughout life
Unlikely that a student will “suddenly” develop dyslexia
Cannot be cured but symptoms can be reduced
NOT due to bad parenting / teaching

Other Specific Learning Difficulties


Dyspraxia	Impairment/immaturity of organization of movement
Dysgraphia	Immature fine motor skills development
Dyscalculia	Impairment of ability to solve mathematical problems

Characteristics of Dyslexia


Mispronunciation of words	Confusion over similar sounding words	Problems comprehending prepositions / connectives, information that require spatial conceptualisation	Outline/shape of word is similar to correct word but some letters are confused
Words/phrases may be foreshadowed/telescoped	Misunderstanding the meaning of words that are within capacity of age range	Difficulties with sequencing	Reverses/mirrors letters, punctuation marks
Confusion whether there should be one or two words	Difficulty with the rhythm of words, getting syllables in the wrong place	Confusion in processing requests / informatio	Letters may be correct but in the wrong order

Strategies

What is ADHD?

Neuro developmental disorder caused by chemical imbalances in the brain
Affects more boys than girls
Often wrongly branded as being lazy, naughty, disruptive and mischievous
Only exhibit inattentiveness and impulsivity behaviour- Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)

Main Characteristics

Inattentiveness	Impulsiveness	Hyperactivity
Difficulty sustaining attention	Blurting out answers before question have been completed	Cannot sit still or remain seated as expected
Disorganised and lose things	Difficulty in waiting for turn in tasks	Fidgeting in their seat or playing with items
Fail to pay close attention to details or make careless mistake	Often act before thinking	Always ‘on the go’

Strategies