Recently, the School of Psychology (SoP) at Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU), under the guidance of Ms Subashini Ganesan (Lecturer, SoP at APU), organised an educational psychology day visit to Persatuan Kebajikan Sri Eden.

Through structured intervention programmes and personalised educational approaches, Persatuan Kebajikan Sri Eden focuses on nurturing independence, functional abilities, and overall developmental progress among its students (children).

The visit, which involved psychology students from APU, was designed to provide them with first-hand exposure to specialised educational programmes that support children with diverse learning needs, enabling them to connect theoretical knowledge gained in the classroom with real-world practice.

Upon arrival, students were introduced to the centre and its mission of supporting individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Down Syndrome, Dyspraxia, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and other developmental and learning challenges.

A key highlight of the visit was the opportunity for hands-on engagement, where students worked directly with the children across different age groups, participating in guided activities designed to enhance motor skills, communication, and social interaction.

Through the activities, students were able to apply educational psychology concepts such as scaffolding, reinforcement, and differentiated instruction in a practical setting, while allowing them to observe how theoretical principles are adapted to meet the unique learning needs of each child.

Next, students gained valuable insight into the professional roles and responsibilities of educators working in special education environments.

The educators at the centre shared their experiences in developing personalised learning plans and highlighted the importance of collaboration, patience, and empathy in supporting children with special needs.

Finally, the visit concluded with a short reflection and discussion session where students shared their observations and key learning points from the day.

The discussion emphasised the significance of inclusive education and the role of multidisciplinary collaboration in promoting positive developmental outcomes for children with diverse learning needs.

Student Perspectives

A few perspective from students:

1. Angelina Rose: “The visit was a meaningful experience, as interacting with the children helped me better understand their challenges, while highlighting the importance of patience and kindness.”
2. Tahiyat Haque: “Visiting Persatuan Kebajikan Sri Eden was both insightful and inspiring, and my time with the children was truly eye-opening, as their warm acceptance helped me realise that meaningful connection is often built through presence, not just words.”
3. Siham Ahmed: “The visit was a memorable experience, as seeing the children smile and express themselves left a lasting impression on me, and helped me realise that meaningful connections can have a powerful impact on individuals.”
    

Reflections on the Educational Psychology day Visit

Ms Subashini noted that experiences such as this are valuable in helping students develop a deeper understanding of the practical realities within special education settings.

“Opportunities like this allow students to move beyond theoretical learning and witness how educational psychology principles are applied in practice, while also cultivating empathy and awareness when working with diverse learners.

“It was also very heartening to see how much the children enjoyed the activities and interactions with our students, as their enthusiasm and smiles truly reflected the positive impact of such engagements,” she said.