What happens when a child doesn’t quite follow the developmental milestones laid out in parenting books? When other children chatter away in preschool, but your child remains silent? For Sharifah, 44, the realization came slowly. Her son, Muhammad Anaqi Syah, seemed to be a late bloomer.
At first, she believed he would catch up in time. But as he grew, the gaps became undeniable.
His speech was delayed, his thought processes didn’t align with his peers, and his motor skills lagged behind. Teachers noticed. Acquaintances commented. It wasn’t just a phase. It was a challenge that required intervention.
And when Anaqi was officially diagnosed with Global Developmental Delay (GDD) and Intellectual Disability (ID) at age six, the weight of that reality settled in.
Securing early intervention for him wasn’t as straightforward as she had hoped. Mainstream support options were available, but long waiting lists and generic intervention plans left her feeling helpless.
The Roadblocks to Early Intervention
The journey to finding the right support was filled with hurdles. Like many parents, Sharifah turned to mainstream intervention services, hoping to find structured help for Anaqi before his Primary 1 registration.
But the reality was far from ideal.
Long waiting lists, overwhelmed professionals, and a lack of personalized strategies left her feeling frustrated and anxious. The clock was ticking, and she feared her son would be left behind.
There were moments of helplessness, moments when she wondered if she was doing enough, moments when she questioned if the system was failing children like Anaqi. The search for a solution felt endless—until she found Bridging the Gap.
Discovering Bridging the Gap: A Turning Point
Discovering Bridging the Gap was more than just enrolling Anaqi in another program. It was a turning point for their entire family. Unlike other centres, this one offered a multidisciplinary and holistic approach, tailoring interventions to fit each child’s needs. The structured yet flexible framework ensured that no child was overlooked.
Source: BTG
“Unlike other centres, BtG took a more holistic and personalised approach, which made a significant difference in how my son engaged with his learning,” she said.
For the first time, Sharifah saw her son thrive. He wasn’t just sitting in a classroom, lost in the background. He was engaging, learning, and growing. The quiet, reserved child who once struggled to communicate was now reading aloud with confidence. The sense of relief was overwhelming.
Finally, a place where Anaqi belonged.
Source: BTG
“More than just academic progress, BtG has given our family a sense of hope and reassurance that Anaqi is in a supportive and understanding environment.”
Where he once hesitated, he now speaks up. Where he once withdrew, he now participates. The boy who was once dismissed as a late bloomer was proving that the right support could unlock potential beyond expectations.
The Unseen Struggles of Special Needs Parenting
Balancing work and caregiving is a challenge that many parents face, but for those raising children with special needs, the struggle is even more profound. The stress, exhaustion, and guilt can be relentless.
Sharifah, like many others, has navigated the tightrope of providing for her family while ensuring that Anaqi receives the care he deserves.
She knows the difficulties first-hand. The lack of accessible intervention services, the financial strain, and the emotional toll of advocating for a child in a world that isn’t always accommodating. She believes that more flexible and affordable intervention programs, increased government support, and specialized training for educators and healthcare providers are essential in creating a more inclusive society.
To The Parents Walking a Similar Path
For parents just beginning their journey into the world of special education, the road can feel overwhelming. Sharifah’s advice? Trust your instincts. You know your child better than anyone else.
The path may not be easy, but with persistence, the right support, and an unwavering belief in your child’s potential, the journey can lead to breakthroughs.
A late bloomer isn’t a lost cause. It’s just a story that unfolds at its own pace.
As Sharifah said, “I believe parents know their children better than anyone else, so it is important to advocate for them and push for the help they require. Seek multiple opinions, explore different avenues for intervention, and don’t hesitate to reach out for support. The journey can be overwhelming, but persistence and advocacy can make a huge difference in finding the right support for your child.”
Raising a child with special needs isn’t just about providing therapy or educational support. It’s about ensuring that parents themselves don’t burn out in the process. Without systemic changes, many families will continue to feel overwhelmed and unsupported.
More Inclusive Future
Anaqi’s journey is proof that the right intervention can make all the difference. But not every child has the same access to these opportunities. As a society, there’s more to be done. We need to create systems that are inclusive, accessible, and tailored to the diverse needs of every child.
So to every parent out there fighting for their child’s future, know this: your advocacy matters. Your persistence is powerful. And your child’s potential is limitless. The world may not always be ready to accommodate late bloomers, but that doesn’t mean they won’t flourish in their own time.
Parenting a child with special needs is a marathon, not a sprint. While challenges are inevitable, so too are the victories—both big and small. And for those who once worried that their child was just a late bloomer, the most powerful realization is that every child blossoms in their own time, in their own way.
What Can We Do as a Society?
Source: Yahoo SG
So, what can we do? How can we, as a community, ensure that every child, whether a late bloomer or one with a diagnosed condition, gets the support they need?
It starts with awareness. It grows with action. We need better funding for special education, more accessible intervention programs, and workplaces that recognize the struggles of parents raising children with special needs.
And if you’re a parent currently navigating this path, know that you are not alone. Speak up, reach out, and never stop advocating for your child. Because one day, when they find their voice, their confidence, and their place in the world, you’ll know that every struggle, every sleepless night, and every fight is worth it.
Your child isn’t just a late bloomer. They are flowers waiting for the right conditions to bloom.
And with the right support, they will. They absolutely will.
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