A BRIEF HISTORY
The Spastic Children’s Association of Johor was formed in 1967. Having started with only eight (8) children in a borrowed premise at the Jubilee Home, today the Association has its own premise and caters to the special needs of 137 children afflicted with Cerebral Palsy (CP). The Association takes pride in being one of the first organizations in the state of Johor that provides specialised professional services for Cerebral Palsy Children.
PATRONAGE /HONORARY PRESIDENT
Her Royal Highness Raja Zarith Sofiah binti Almarhum Sultan Idris Shah is the Royal Patron and the Menteri Besar of Johor is the Honorary President of the Association.
MANAGEMENT
An elected Board of Directors manage the Association.
FACILITIES
The Association manages a Special Education School, a Rehabilitation Department, Vocational Classes and also runs a Sheltered Workshop for those who graduate from the school at the age of 18.
EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAMME (PRE-SCHOOL)
Children are admitted to the Early Intervention Programme upon attaining the age of five (5). In this programme, children learn mainly through play and attend regular therapy sessions. It is also at this stage when children who are academically inclined are identified.
SPECIAL EDUCATION
Children who are admitted to the Special School from this programme are separated into two categories. Those who are academically inclined are taught the mainstream curriculum while the others are taught a special curriculum tailored to suit the individual’s needs and abilities with special emphasis on functional skills. The academically inclined sit for the UPSR examinations and are transferred to the main stream schools on their success of the examinations.
REHABILITATION SERVICES
The Rehabilitation department caters to the needs of the children at the School as well as provide out-patient services to young children as early as 1 year old. While at school the children are provided regular Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Speech Therapy. These children are attended to by medical consultants from the Government and Private Hospitals. These consultants plan the children’s mode of treatment and review their progress.
VOCATIONAL CLASSES
At the age of sixteen, the children are placed in Vocational classes where they are taught social and living skills together with academic work.
SHELTERED WORKSHOP
After two (2) years of vocational training they are transferred to the Sheltered Workshop where they are paid for their handicraft or do simple assembly line work. Those who are skilled may be able to find employment in the public sector while those who are unable continue in the Sheltered Workshop at the Association.
EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Our children are exposed to a variety of co-curricular activities such as Scouting/Girl Guides, sports and hobbies. Those who excel in sports participate at district, state, national and international levels. Many of the young Cerebral Palsy adults have represented Malaysia at the international games like the Far East & South Pacific International Council and Paralympics.
FUNDING
The Association receives grants from the Johor State and Federal Government. However, this is only a portion of the total funds needed to finance the Association. In order to meet the shortfall, the Association raises additional funds from the public.