Raising a Child with Special Needs in Malaysia | with Dr. Sunitha Sivakumaran

Описание: 🎙️ In this heartfelt episode of TheGoodCastShow, we sit down with Dr. Sunitha Sivakumaran—a mother, former lawyer, and the current Principal of Taarana School—to explore the deeply personal and transformative journey of raising a child with special needs in Malaysia.

Dr. Sunitha opens up about how becoming a special needs parent changed her life in profound and beautiful ways, leading her to leave behind a successful legal career in pursuit of something more meaningful. Now, as Principal of Taarana School, she shares how this shift has brought a sense of fulfillment and wholeness she never imagined.

We also dive into the current landscape of special needs care and education in Malaysia—what support systems are in place, what’s still missing, and how both children and parents navigate this often challenging but inspiring path.

💬 This conversation is raw, reflective, and full of insights for anyone interested in education, parenting, or the realities of special needs advocacy.

Chapters
00:00 – The change for the law to special needs education
05:30 – Being a parent to a special needs child
22:06 – The fate of those with special needs
29:13 – Reimagining special needs care in Malaysia
37:15 – Special needs care at home
46:14 – The life journey of a child who is special needs care
51:17 – Advice to parents with children with special needs

About Taarana School
Taarana seeks to unlock every child’s ability and help them become an active, contributing member of society.

Meaning ‘Awakening’ in Sanskrit, Taarana was established in May 2011 by RYTHM Foundation, the QI Group’s Social Impact Initiative. The Foundation advocates for inclusive educational environments that pave the way for equal access to quality education – for children of all abilities.

Taarana’s establishment followed RYTHM identifying a dire need for resources and support for children with special learning needs and their families. With Taarana, RYTHM hopes to raise awareness about the importance of special needs education and change attitudes and practices associated with exceptional children. Taarana and RYTHM also play an active role in meeting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 – to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

Taarana’s Special Education Programme – available to eligible students between the ages of 4 and 18 – stems from the Negotiated Education Plan (NEP). The NEP is a structured plan helping educators, families, and learners develop a negotiated curriculum based on the learner’s needs.

Taarana draws up each child’s personalised goals and developmental milestones in consultation with their parents/guardians, ensuring consistency in the treatment and expectations of the child to achieve the best possible outcomes.

Follow Taarana School on its:
Website - https://www.taarana.org.my/
Facebook -   / rythmfound  
Instagram -   / rythmfoundation  
YouTube -    / @rythmfoundationqi  

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