Pseudonym of Child: Nathan
Diagnosis: Cerebral Palsy and Epilepsy
Nathan’s journey to school has been anything but typical. Enrolled in July 2024, Nathan is about to transition into primary school, a milestone that is both exciting and meaningful for him and his family. But it hasn’t always been easy. Nathan spent nearly a year in the ICU due to a serious medical condition that prevented him from enrolling in preschool. His medical needs were so significant that attending a mainstream preschool seemed impossible.
For Nathan’s parents, finding the right school that could support Nathan’s complex needs was always a worry. However, after visiting Little Olive Tree’s Open House and finding out more about our Educational Support Programme, they felt a renewed sense of hope. They saw the support we offer and the positive impact it has on our students. Nathan’s parents decided to take the leap and enrol him, hoping that exposure to a social setting and school environment would help him grow.
A Smooth Transition: From Worry to Confidence
When Nathan first joined us, he faced unique challenges. Having missed out on preschool, he had to adapt to new learning environments. In particular, the Chinese lessons presented a challenge, but with the help of the dedicated support of our Education Support Teacher (EST), Nathan was able to follow along in the lessons. Initially, learning Mandarin was daunting, but his ability to understand and engage with the language quickly blossomed. Today, Nathan is writing simple words and answering questions in Mandarin. He is now more interested to communicate in Mandarin and it's heartwarming to see how much he enjoys his time in school now.
Supporting Nathan’s Needs
While Nathan’s medical condition still means he is prone to occasional seizures, he no longer requires 1:1 support in class, and he is now able to engage in lessons with his peers. Initially, we took extra precautions and supported Nathan during potential seizures, but over time, we’ve learned how to support him best.
In addition to medical support, Nathan’s social skills have been an area of focus. Though he is kind and helpful to his peers, he sometimes needs reminders about the tone in which he speaks to others. These small adjustments are part of his ongoing growth and are helping him build stronger, more positive relationships with his classmates. Given that he spent most of his early years in the hospital and has started being in preschool not too long ago, he has already made tremendous progress in this regard.
Helping Nathan and Others Thrive
Nathan’s story is one of growth, resilience, and the power of a supportive school environment. Even though it takes a whole community to rally around Nathan, without the Education Support Programme and the Education Support Teacher, he would not be able to be enrol in mainstream preschool. Learning of cognitive skills can be done at home, but he would have missed out on all the social opportunities and learning to connect with his peers. Nathan’s progress has been incredible, and he is just getting started. With your support, we can ensure that Nathan and others continue to receive the tools and guidance they need to succeed.
Donate to “A Christmas Story” to help us continue providing the support that Nathan and other children like him need to thrive. Your contribution will help us offer Education Support for children who would otherwise lose the opportunity to be in a mainstream preschool environment. With your help, children with unique needs like Nathan will have the opportunity to succeed academically and socially, gaining the skills they need to continue growing and thriving.
Special Gift for Donors: Donate $250 or more, and you’ll receive a customisable Little Olive Tree LEGO character—a special way to show your support for the children whose lives you’re helping change.
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