TO most people, a child uttering a simple “ah” or “ma” may seem like a natural progression.
But for special education team lead-cum-school shadow aide Jocelyn Ng Jia Ern (pic), it represents an incredible milestone that fuels her motivation to continue working in this field.
The 25-year-old said a career in education was a natural choice for her, as she has always had an affinity for children.
Before entering special education, she taught primary school pupils through part-time online tuition, volunteered to educate refugee children with the education department of MRA Siswa, a student-led wing of the Malaysian Relief Agency, and worked as an assistant public speaking teacher.
It was while pursuing her psychology degree that she was introduced to learning disabilities and neurodevelopmental conditions, including autism. The exposure sparked an interest in special education and inspired her to take on the challenges.
Despite the emotional and physical demands, Ng’s passion for helping children has not wavered. For her, seeing them smile and witnessing their progress serve as constant reminders of why she chose this journey.
What does a typical workday really look like?
Ng: My day usually starts with preparing individualised programmes and activities for the children’s sessions.
During sessions, I teach new skills through play-based learning and structured programmes. A large part of my role involves behaviour management, especially when children struggle with emotional regulation, communication or task avoidance. I also oversee the interventionists and the children in my supervisor’s team.
As a school shadow aide, I support children in their school environment by preparing materials, coordinating with teachers, and providing prompts or guidance when behavioural challenges arise.
Constant observation and an understanding of a child’s various body language cues are crucial to anticipating potential triggers and implementing preventive strategies before behaviours escalate.
What skills or mindset matter more than grades?
Ng: Creativity, observation skills, patience, empathy and strong problem-solving skills are essential. Every child learns and behaves differently, so being able to adapt and think on your feet is important.
Besides that, perseverance is key as the work can be mentally and physically demanding, especially when managing challenging behaviours.
Success in this field depends less on academic performance and more on genuine passion for children, commitment and emotional resilience.
What is one common misconception about this job?
Ng: A common misconception is that our role is to “fix” a child. As behavioural therapists and special needs interventionists, our role is to guide and support children in building essential skills such as communication, self-care and social interaction so they can develop greater independence in the future.
Another misconception is that children with autism are not intelligent. In reality, they are smart in certain ways. Some are able to develop deep knowledge in specific areas they are passionate about.
What is the most challenging and most rewarding part of the work?
Ng: One of the most rewarding parts is witnessing children progress from struggling with basic self-care and having frequent escape behaviours in class to expressing their feelings, regulating their emotions and completing household chores independently.
However, the profession can be mentally demanding as it requires constant critical thinking to develop strategies that support each child’s growth. The role can also be physically demanding, especially when children have difficulty expressing their frustrations or anger appropriately.
What advice would you give to students considering this path?
Ng: This is a deeply meaningful but demanding profession. Although the demand for interventionists and therapists is growing, many leave due to the high levels of stress and imbalanced wages.
Therefore, anyone entering the field needs strong determination, patience, resilience and a sincere willingness to keep learning, even when progress is slow.
To work in the field, a bachelor’s degree in psychology or an education-related field is often preferred, as it can provide better career prospects and competitive pay. Obtaining relevant certifications, such as the Applied Behaviour Analysis Technician, can help create more structured career pathways and better salary opportunities over time.
*Individuals are featured in their personal capacity. Views expressed do not represent any organisation.
Ong Li Zhen, 22, a student in the United Kingdom, is a participant of the BRATs Young Journalist Programme run by The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) team. This feature is part of a series highlighting young working adults who share insights into their jobs and offer practical tips on thriving in the workplace. For updates on the BRATs programme, follow @starbrats on Instagram.
