KUCHING: Greater awareness and understanding of dyslexia is essential to ensure children receive proper support instead of being misunderstood, said Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah.
She said that dyslexia remains widely misinterpreted, with many children still being labelled or punished because their learning challenges are not recognised.
“Our children look and behave like other children, but they struggle with reading and spelling because their brains process words differently,” she said when launching The Spring Mall’s “Imagine the Magic” Christmas campaign on Friday night.
“When teachers and parents understand this, they know how to support the child instead of punishing or labelling them.”
Fatimah, who is the advisor of the Dyslexia Association of Sarawak (DAS), commended the mall for placing the association at the centre of this year’s celebration and using the festive platform to elevate public awareness.
She added that efforts to assist dyslexic children will soon be strengthened with the completion of the association’s new headquarters at Desa Wira, here funded through a RM4 million government grant.
“The building is now completed and will provide better facilities, including accommodation for outstation children attending intervention programmes,” she said.
Fatimah noted that dyslexic children cannot rely on ordinary remedial classes and require specific intervention methods tailored to their needs, adding that proper training for teachers remains a key focus of the association.
She thanked tHe Spring for integrating awareness with festivity, saying it amplifies support for children with specific learning disabilities and promotes understanding among the wider community.
She added that the spirit of Christmas reflects values of compassion, unity and giving, values that continue to bind Sarawakians regardless of race or religion.
“Christmas is a season of light, joy and togetherness. Even for those of us who are not Christians, it is still meaningful because it embodies kindness and community,” she said.
