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We spotlight a mother’s powerful journey through Singapore’s early intervention landscape—and the love that fuels it.
This Mother’s Day, we are shining a light on a story of unwavering resilience, fierce advocacy, and unconditional love. Motherhood is often described as a journey of growth, but for parents of children with special needs, the path is rarely straightforward. It is a road filled with challenges, triumphs, and, above all, an unbreakable determination to secure the best possible future for their children.
Sharifah, 44, embodies this spirit wholeheartedly. Her son, Muhammad Anaqi Syah, now 12, was diagnosed with Global Developmental Delay (GDD) and Intellectual Disability (ID). What began as quiet concerns about missed developmental milestones soon became a profound journey of discovery, advocacy, and transformation.
Today, Sharifah reflects on how she navigated Singapore’s early intervention landscape—overcoming heartbreak, barriers, and moments of deep frustration—to find a place where her son could truly thrive.
A mother’s intuition
Like many parents, Sharifah first noticed subtle differences in Anaqi’s development during his early childhood. His speech, motor skills, and ability to engage with peers seemed out of step. “Initially, I thought he might just be a late bloomer,” she recalls. “But as time passed—especially during his kindergarten years—it became clearer that something was amiss.”
Despite reassurances from well-meaning friends and family, Sharifah couldn’t ignore her instincts. Teachers began to raise concerns, and Sharifah started receiving uncomfortable comments from acquaintances about Anaqi’s behaviour. One particularly painful memory stands out: “A fellow parent at Anaqi’s kindergarten made unkind remarks about how different Anaqi behaved. Even when I tried to brush it off, she followed me around, talking about him. It was deeply frustrating and disheartening.”
Inside the classroom, Anaqi was often left on the sidelines. Although his teachers noted that he wasn’t disruptive, he struggled to participate and connect with others. “He was always in his own world and couldn’t really speak up or socialise,” Sharifah says.
Hitting roadblocks
When Anaqi was officially diagnosed with GDD and ID at the age of six, Sharifah’s world shifted. The diagnosis brought clarity but also an overwhelming sense of urgency. “With his Primary 1 registration approaching, I knew we couldn’t afford to wait,” she explains. “But the mainstream intervention options had long waiting lists, and the support felt patchy at best.”
The initial months after his diagnosis were a whirlwind of anxiety, frustration, and relentless searching. Sharifah sought help from mainstream avenues, but they were overcrowded and under-resourced. “I felt like my son was just another number in a very long queue,” she says. “The support simply wasn’t enough.”
A turning point
It was during this challenging time that Sharifah discovered Bridging the Gap, the early intervention centre founded by Janice Tay. The centre’s multidisciplinary approach, combining speech therapy, occupational therapy, educational therapy, and social skills training, offered a ray of hope.
“Finding Bridging the Gap was truly a turning point for us,” Sharifah says. “Janice’s hands-on approach and the team’s personalised care addressed Anaqi’s specific needs in a way we had never experienced before. It wasn’t just about therapy sessions—it was about creating a supportive, inclusive environment for the whole family.”
Transformative progress
Since joining Bridging the Gap, Anaqi has blossomed. Sharifah beams as she describes his transformation: “He’s gone from being a quiet, reserved child to one who actively participates in class discussions and reads with clear articulation. His confidence has grown so much.”
The change hasn’t just been academic. Sharifah has noticed a profound difference in Anaqi’s social engagement and overall happiness. “He’s found his voice, and with it, a new sense of self,” she says.
Finding strength in the struggle and hoping for a change
For Sharifah, the journey has been transformative in more ways than one. “This experience has made me a stronger and more advocative parent,” she reflects. “I’ve learned how to navigate the complexities of special needs care, and I’m fully committed to ensuring Anaqi has every opportunity to succeed.”
But the road has not been easy. Balancing caregiving with daily life, managing appointments, and dealing with the emotional toll of it all has tested Sharifah’s resilience time and again. Still, her love and determination have never wavered.
Sharifah hopes to see greater improvements in Singapore’s early intervention landscape. “We need more personalised and flexible intervention plans,” she says. “Support should be more affordable and accessible, with better funding and resources for families. There’s also a real need for more awareness and training for educators, healthcare providers, and everyone involved in early intervention.”
A message to fellow parents
Sharifah’s message to other parents navigating similar challenges is simple but powerful: trust your instincts. “We know our children best,” she says. “Don’t be afraid to advocate for them, seek support, and explore different intervention options. There is help out there—and finding the right fit can make all the difference.”
Celebrating mothers everywhere
This Mother’s Day, we celebrate Sharifah and countless other mothers like her—women who face extraordinary challenges with courage, love, and tenacity. Their stories remind us that while the journey may be difficult, no parent should have to walk it alone.
To learn more about Bridging the Gap and its transformative work in early intervention, visit https://bridgingthegap.com.sg.
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