Special Ed: Inspiring Journeys of Growth and Resilience: Special Ed, #3

By Maxine Yoong

In this third and final title in the 'Special Ed' trilogy (short for 'Special Education'), Maxine Yoong unveils a diverse tapestry of real-life stories of individuals with learning disabilities — some struggling to triumph, others who have conquered. 

With her signature style of short stories, Maxine presents some parallel narratives and weaves in thought-provoking insights and innovative interventions throughout.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Maxine Yoong
• Release date: Aug 20, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223051008

Book preview

Preface

My first few books were in printed paper form. At some point in time, I decided that all subsequent books will go into e-format. My book agent persuaded me to write three books and call them a trilogy. Since I am enthusiastic about science fiction, the idea of a trilogy appealed to me. Of course, my books will not be as exciting as my favourite authors'. But then again, I do not write to entertain in this trilogy. I hope it will exist to inform, to encourage and to give hope to all the children out there who inherit some symptoms of the dyslexic-autistic spectrum. Some of them would find it difficult to read, hence it will be their parents, aunts and uncles, teachers... who would read on their behalf.

Section I

A. Breakthroughs by Listening

...in 2005 at 44th and Juniper...

Ihad a neighbour who was in her fifties. She is divorced from a foreign spouse and had to rebuild her life in her home country after an absence of at least 20 years.

One day she told me that when she could no longer cope with any verbal abuse, she had the ability to dissociate her consciousness and step away from her body. In a way she was still standing or sitting there, but she also became an onlooker, thus the verbal tirade would not hurt as much. I have heard or read of such an occurrence during severe trauma, especially to very young children. This is the very first case of an adult who could switch the mode on at will that I have come across.

When I told her about the Davies' Method of therapy for dyslexic children, she was visibly distressed. As I revealed more about my observation as a Home Tutor, what the mother of the target child said, and what the child himself (in 2003 at Gopeng Garden) testified about, my friend started coughing quite badly. On the one hand, it is to her advantage to know more about her former condition, as knowledge would set her free. But on the other hand, she could not cope with too much information at any one sitting. Thus, though she was drawn to me, she could not handle listening to me for too long or too frequently. As you must have concluded by now, my pet topic is learning difficulties as a broad subject.

When I told her in detail about how my ex-student found it difficult to read, the reason being that words danced around him, I saw anguish in her eyes. I realised she was treading back into her landmine years. It must have been difficult! She conquered her own demons with no help whatsoever. Her salvation came in the form of English children's books. She would fail every subject except English. Somehow by working triply hard, she managed to pass major examinations. The few short-term jobs she has had before she married did not work out. For one, she was too disorganised to file or find documents. But as a language tutor now she is perfect. She takes students in all shapes, sizes, with all kinds of baggage and turns them into grade A students. In the process, she loves them, mothering those who are neglected for whatever reason. She worms her way into her students' hearts; she spoils them with attention and snacks. After a while, they would work hard for her sake alone, so that she would be able to continue to earn a good living charging those well-to-do parents her rates.

As for my ex-student, after therapy he was able to centre his attention about eight inches above and slightly behind his head. Then with that anchored, he could read normally. For him, his point of attention was yellow in colour. As a tutor who worked with him for at least a year before he underwent therapy, I could see him greatly improved. What I marvelled at was that he installed with his imagination an activity level metre on top of his navel. The level of activity ran from 1 to 10. In order to study and absorb new things, he should tune it