by on 11/09/2024 114
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Children with special needs are just as capable of thriving and leading independent lives. At AvidAscent Enrichment Centre, the goal is to empower its students to do so—by providing guidance, a nurturing environment, and a platform where they can develop their unique strengths and talents. As founder and director Ms. Doris Lim puts it, “no child or individual should be left behind.”
Ms. Doris and co-founder Ms. Meena Nadarajan have extensive experience working with special needs children. Formerly attached to an NGO that helped individuals with Down’s Syndrome, they saw a need to set up a multidisciplinary education and therapy centre to assist students, regardless of their special needs background.
AvidAscent opened its doors in January 2023. It currently caters to students from as young as seven to adults aged 55, who have autism, Down’s Syndrome, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), slow learners, and global developmental delays.
AvidAscent is housed in a spacious single-storey building within the quiet neighbourhood of SS17 in Petaling Jaya. Its front yard includes an outdoor playground space equipped with a trampoline, as well as a garden filled with leafy plants.
The interiors of the centre are also bright and airy. The common area is easily converted into an indoor circuit for physical activity, while classrooms are structured to resemble the setup of government schools that offer Special Education Integrated Programmes (PPKI). Ms. Meena explains that this creates a stable and familiar environment for AvidAscent’s students, as a number of them are enrolled at PPKI schools as well.
The centre’s programmes are thoughtfully designed to help students with various needs and at different levels. This begins with the School-Age Programme (SAP), which is open to students aged 7 to 14.
"On the academic end, students learn language skills including reading, writing, listening and speaking skills, as well as S.T.E.M (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics)," says Ms. Meena. "We also have music and movement classes, physical activity, and even yoga exercises, which is helpful for calming students and getting them into a relaxed state, where they can control their emotions better."
Students can sharpen their soft skills too. They learn in small groups of four to five per class, where they can interact, communicate, and collaborate with one another. At the same time, teachers cater to each individual’s learning style by tailoring Individual Educational Programmes (IEP) to address gaps and ensure they can maximise their learning.
For students who require therapy, AvidAscent offers occupational therapy, speech therapy, and music therapy, delivered by qualified professionals.
The next stage after the SAP is Modulation, which focuses on pre-vocational skills. This is available for students aged 15 to 19 and features a blend of both theory and practical activities. According to Ms. Meena, the goal is not only to help them become more independent but prepare them for a career where they can sustain themselves in the future.
"For example, students learn how to bake brownies and cakes, whilst learning about healthy eating choices. These baked treats are usually sold during festivals and are very popular. They also go on excursions to buy bakery supplies, where they perform tasks such as choosing the ingredients and making payment," she explains. Prior to these trips, they do practise runs in the classroom, where teachers may set up a ‘shop’ so they are prepared for the real scenario.
After Modulation, there is the Vocational Programme for those aged 20 years and above. “Many special needs students are left in the lurch after they complete their formal education, and they regress. It’s important to have continuity, which is what our programmes aim to provide,” Ms. Doris adds.
AvidAscent works with organisations as well as initiatives like Technical and Vocational Training (TVET) for career placement. In-house, they also try to create job opportunities–one of their older students is currently being trained to become a teaching assistant at the centre.
Currently, AvidAscent offers two-day or four-day schedules, from 9am to 4pm, Mondays to Thursdays. This flexibility helps students who may have to attend school, so they are able to split their time between school and the centre. Plans are in the works to have an after-school programme, which will focus on the targeted skills that parents may wish their children to improve on, such as reading, writing, or even homework guidance.
Ultimately, AvidAscent's vision is to enable every child to be the best version of themselves. "They are creative in their own ways, and they have their own talents, which is what we want to tap into. We are not here to train their weaknesses, but to train their strengths, so they can move to the next level and have a bright future,” Ms. Doris concludes.
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