Salam and a good day ahead to all...
Sorry, I can't resist myself from Part 2 of Alif's story.
People say when doing your PHD all sorts of so called 'dugaan' will come to you in any version... right?? My 'dugaan' for PHD comes through Alif.
Where did I stop...??
Oh yes. How did I detect Alif with a learning disability?
Have you ever watched "Taare Zameen Par". A movie featuring Aamir Khan with a Dyslexic kid?
It is available on YouTube. Such a sad story about the struggles on a Dyslexic kid and the parents. I cried watching that movie because I didn't know how to help Alif and I know Alif is just like that kid in the movie. The symptoms were there.
Remember in Part 1, I mentioned I didn't have a clue on how to help Alif??
Well, Allah the Most Merciful heard my cries, my pledge. One day while driving, on ikim.fm (yes... I only listen to ikim.fm and not other popular radio stations like era.fm or hot.fm.) there was a segment on Dyslexia and ADHD. All the traits almost fits Alif's characteristics. So, my initial conclusion was maybe Alif was Dyslexic.
So what are the characteristics of a child having Dyslexia??
Here are only some general traits of a Dyslexic kid.
- Appears bright, highly intelligent, and articulate but unable to read, write, or spell at grade level.
- Labelled lazy, dumb, careless, immature, "not trying hard enough," or "behavior problem."
- Isn't "behind enough" or "bad enough" to be helped in the school setting.
- High in IQ, yet may not test well academically; tests well orally, but not written.
- Feels dumb; has poor self-esteem; hides or covers up weaknesses with
ingenious compensatory strategies; easily frustrated and emotional
about school reading or testing.
- Talented in art, drama, music, sports, mechanics, story-telling, sales, business, designing, building, or engineering.
- Seems to "Zone out" or daydream often; gets lost easily or loses track of time.
- Difficulty sustaining attention; seems "hyper" or "daydreamer."
- Learns best through hands-on experience, demonstrations, experimentation, observation, and visual aids.
These are some of Alif's arts for me, all when he was 6 years old.
This one was one art at the Genius Aulad Family Day, aided by my husband. Hahaha.. Don't be fooled. Mostly was my husband's idea. Only 100% from Alif was his name.
And this one is his coloring skill. Other kids will mix colors and play with other colors to make it interesting. Not Alif. He likes green so he colored everything in green.
At first you must feel like, so hat if he was not creative? So what if he likes green? So, what if his hand writing is bad? so, what??
The biggest problem is that he couldn't read or count.
When you can't read, you will not able to spell correctly. When you cannot spell correctly you can't even write proper answers. Am I right?? So you will be left behind. In Alif's problem, even copying is a humungous task for him. He copies very slowly and he usually misses a letter or two. Sometimes a word or two. Worst, even without realizing it!!
As a mother, I just want Alif to be able to read, write and count. After that... I think he can conquer the world (ok, let's conquer the school first).
After listening to ikim.fm., I browse the net. I googled and found a test on Dyslexia and I tried it.
I used this online test from http://www.dyslexia.com/dyslexiatest.htm
You can find a good test online too. Just to list some:
http://www.dore.co.uk/learning-difficulties/dyslexia/free-dyslexia-test/
http://www.lexercise.com/dyslexia-services/
http://www.beatingdyslexia.com/online-dyslexia-test.html
I googled more for treatments and availability in Malaysia. I found Dyslexia Dissociation Malaysia or DAM. There's one centre in Section 7. I have been in Shah Alam for a longggggg time and I never knew about this (See?? Only when you need it the you search for it). How Allah has been helping us through this painstaking process.
I called the owner of DAM Seksyen 7, Puan Hajah Muliani. Her advise was to do a proper test at DAM Titiwangsa (Why? Because the expert is there and not at Section 7). For the test you have to pay RM200. Meanwhile, get a doctor's appointment to check Alif's psychical condition.
So, I booked an appointment to do the test and was scheduled on December 2nd 2013. Physically, Alif was examined at DEMC and he was fit.
The day of the test came. My husband applied a leave on that day and was suppose to come along, but under unseen circumstances, he couldn't be with us (konon nak tunggu indon pasang grill, tapi indon tu tipu!). I was furious and alone with Alif. I even had to change from a Blackberry user to an Android user, just to use Waze to get to DAM Titiwangsa (Sorry BB!!).
Still remembered, that day was raining heavily. A sign from Allah, maybe (hujan rahmat). We arrived at DAM Titiwangsa just 5 minutes before the scheduled appointment (Alhamdulillah!). Even using Waze I still got lost (Damn Waze with no GPS signal at some locations!!!).
At first, I was puzzled. It looked like an old abandoned house. The grills were locked. The sound of kids voices, learning, and teachers were giving instructions, were really apparent. This center is not only a facility for doing testing, but also teaching the Dyslexic kids. We were welcomed by an Indian lady, a warm inviting smile for us. She handed a form for me to fill, paid the RM200 fees and we waited for the doctor to arrive.
Less than 10 minutes, Dr. Aziz (if I remembered correctly) came and assess Alif. After half an hour, Dr. Aziz came with Alif and confronted me. He asked, "How long have you known he is in this condition?". I answered "A year or so.. I might be in denial before. but I wanted to help him so badly." He smiled. Then he showed evidence as to why Alif is a Dyslexic. All the assessment on reading and writing were profound to exhibit that Alif was a Dyslexic kid. Only one thing that really bothers me. He showed me a paper where Alif wrote A-Z. Now, Alif for sure can write A-Z correctly coz I have seen many times. The paper shows Alif has written A-Y correctly but the Z was a mirror image. I was perplexed! Alif wrote his name correctly and the Z is a Z and not an S. I told him about my doubts but he said firmly, Alif is Dyslexic. Although with a bit of doubts, what Dr. Aziz said further confirmed my instinct about Alif's learning disability. Dr. Aziz said the report will be email to me formally in two weeks time.
The same day, we went to DAM Section 7, meet up with Puan Hajah Muliani. She told us about the steps that she will take to ensure Alif's condition cured. First, Alif will take a 6 months leave from school and study only at DAM from 8.30 to 12 everyday. After by which, he can surely read, write and count using their special syllabus.
For me and my husband, that sounded like a great plan. She will write a letter to Alif's school and Jabatan Pendidikan Negeri Selangor to request for a special leave for him. The fees for every month was RM550. A lot??? Yup... Anything for your kids, of course.
After 2 weeks, still no email from DAM Titiwangsa or Dr. Aziz. I contacted DAM Titiwangsa, no answers. I contacted Puan Hajah Muliani, she said she will help. A few days after that, I followed up. She forgot about Alif's case (of course, all excuses... cliche sangat!). I really don't know where should Alif start school?? Should we proceed with the special program at DAM Section 7 or not????
A sudden call from Puan Hajah Muliani really was a relief. But her voice turned us the other way around. She gave us a phone number. An officer, Encik Osman from Jabatan Pendidikan Negeri Selangor wants us to see us. We were asked to go and make an appointment with Encik Osman the next day, the first day of school day for Alif at Standard Two!
What next??
I can tell you the meeting with Encik Osman turned our decision 360 degrees.
To be continued.
