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We started to be concerned that there may be something amiss when our son often has to ask us how to write certain alphabets even though he started learning his ABCs at 3+ years old. Also, he had the tendency to mix up certain alphabets and numbers like “b” and “d” and “p”, “q” and “9” as well as read some words in the reverse. He enjoyed his teachers and friends at kindergarten but not the lessons and homework. It was a hard time to get him ready for school except on days when there was a school outing. Getting him to do his homework had been a difficult task although we found that compared to other kindergartens, the homework he brought home once a week were rather simple. Although we were not concerned about him being able to spell at 5+ years old but a few occasions we tested spelling with him, he just couldn’t register the words although his kindergarten taught phonics.

As we had the intention of enrolling John in a Chinese primary school, we encouraged him to attend a Chinese reading programme at MEB centre, which also incorporates lessons on “suku kata” in Bahasa Melayu. He showed marked improvement in his recognition of Chinese characters within 2 weeks into the programme and he showed more interest in the Chinese language.

However, the above mentioned problems were still our main concern. We learnt about Kidzgrow from an article in the Star newspaper in 2006 and after pondering for about 6 months, we decided to send John for the evaluation which revealed that he may have an auditory processing problem. We then signed John up for the FastForWord as recommended albeit the lengthy duration of the programme which meant that we had to be away from our home in Johor Bahru and John being absent from kindergarten classes for 2 whole months.

The first change that I noticed in John immediately after the first evaluation conducted at Kidzgrow was that he is more careful with his diction. After 2 weeks into the FastForWord, he showed improvement in his spelling skills. It’s as though the words could now “stick” and “register” in his brain. Thus it has become easier to coach him in spelling. He is also more willing to start reading some story books in the Malay language (though still with some help).

After the completing the FastForWord, there were occasions that he picked up a story book on his own accord to read, although we can’t yet say he loves reading on his own. (He still prefers to be read to.) John enjoyed the FastForWord, though he didn’t enjoy staying away from home (in Johor Bahru) 8 weeks to attend the programme (in Kuala Lumpur). Some changes that others noticed in John is that he became even more expressive and therefore more talkative. However, this landed him in trouble with his teachers when he resumed classes at kindergarten.

We also noticed that he was more willing to practice the piano when reminded, although we would still have to remind him to do so. While he has overcome certain habits like, keeps checking things over again and again, he still does not like to stay alone in one part of the house by himself.

We are thankful that Kidgrow have made the FastForWord available in Malaysia and John had the opportunity to attend this programme early, at 5+ years old while he could still afford to miss lessons at kindergarten. We hope that in time to come there could be more awareness on auditory processing disorders in children so that such children have a chance to enjoy learning instead of being labeled stupid. We hope that in the near future Kidgrow will be able to make this programme available to other states in Malaysia and at a more affordable rate, perhaps through online programme or a more flexible schedule as not many could be fortunate to be able to stay in Kuala Lumpur for 8 weeks away from their home.

Recently, John started Primary 1 in a Chinese government school and we are glad to say that he enjoys going to school (being in afternoon session has also helped) and so far has not yet complain about his homework which he has been dutifully completing everyday.

-Background
LSE was done when he was 5 years old.

-Parents concerned
School performance, academic grades

-Sessions of programmes
Gone through 24 sessions of Fast ForWord

-Results

  1. Scan-C 27% - 50%
  2. TAPS 22% - 68%