KUCHING: A child development centre founded by a former undiagnosed ‘attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder’ (ADHD) schoolboy officially opened here today (Sept 15), aiming to give neurodivergent children the support he never had.
Officiated by Minister for Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah today (Sept 15), Estella Child Development Centre, is a corporate social responsibility initiative under the Estella Medical Group.
Co-founder Dr Isaac Siow Hee Chieh said through his own experience as an ADHD child, and being repeatedly penalised during his school years for his impulsive behaviour he did not understand at the time, has inspired him to specialise in early intervention — behavioural therapy, music therapy and sensory motor intervention.
“That’s how I developed a passion to help more children in this condition, in these challenges, and help them to improve,” he said when met by reporters after the opening ceremony.
He added that many affected children faced bullying pressures due to the lack of understanding among peers.
The centre, which began operations last November, currently helps around 80 children weekly who have autism, speech delay and other neurodivergent conditions, and recently added an evening shift on Tuesdays and Wednesdays to accommodate working parents.
Dr Siow said children are typically referred by hospitals from age two, though the centre accepts no strict age limit and has expanded to include a programme for teenagers, particularly those on the autism spectrum, to help them integrate into the workplace.
He assured the centre will work more closely with the ministry to train more special needs education teachers, citing a shortage of trained staff as a key constraint to expanding services further.
