Fitriah is graduated from Asian College of Teachers with a Diploma in Special Education in 2022. She has gained a wide understanding of the various aspects of learning disabilities through the experiences that she has worked with, as well as knowledge relating to child development and using a collaborate/inclusive approach. She believes this kind of approach allows for a shared vision in achieving children’s goals. She recognizes the importance of the family in a child’s learning and development and is passionate about ensuring children and families feel involved and empowered.

During her course of study, Fitriah participated in various modules related to the assessment of the child’s complete development: physical, social, emotional and cognitive, psychological self-construction, language development, where she was concerned about developmental disorders and these conditions. She has an understanding deeper management. These developmental disorders include Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), as well as learning disabilities such as Speech and Language Disorders and Sensory Processing Disorders.

Fitriah previously worked as a co-lead teacher at Melbourne Specialist International School. During her length of service, she worked with students, aged 7-18 years old, with varying needs such as ADHD, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, ASD, and Global Developmental Delay (GDD). She assisted in-house swimming lesson, occupational therapists and speech language therapists during the assessments of the students’ various developmental milestones. She also facilitated lessons using multi-sensory approach and experimental learning, as well as learnt to use the assistive technology (Proloquo2Go)/communication board/Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) with students who are less verbal. Some of her roles included (1) designing ILP and working towards achieving the personalized goals of the students (2) observation and analysis of children to recommend and implement specific intervention/ management strategies.

She also previously teaches young learners by seeing, doing, hearing, feeling smelling, and tasting. Fitriah devised lesson plans to the needs of young learners with various abilities to learn using their senses, identified strengths such as fine motors or gross motor skills, and varied learning styles; in a safe, structured, vibrant, and engaging environment. In addition, young learners will be equipped with the required skills to transition to the primary level such as Pathlight school and St Andrews.

In addition, she received a certification from Dover Court International School for completing the MAPA® (Management of Actual or Potential Aggression) programme teaches management and intervention techniques to help her cope with escalating behaviour in a professional and safe manner in 2018. She has also worked with younger learners with various intellectual disabilities at IYAD Perdaus Child Development Centre where she led young learners in classroom and supported them in developing fine motor skills and social skills to enable them to better integrate. The staff were impressed with her dedication and commitment to the students, and she was subsequently offered a part-time job at the centre.

In her own time, Fitriah picked up Singapore Sign Language workshops in ExtraOrdinary Horizons and Makaton online. Her vast work and work experiences on the ground coupled with her knowledge gained through the academic courses over the past years have not only affirmed her desire to help students with every opportunity to communicate feelings and needs. She believes this would help to extinguish some of the frustrations that students feel at not being understood.