About Hatching
Our Story
I wanted children to have the understanding and support I grew up without. Hatching’s story began with something deeply personal. As a person with special needs myself, I know how difficult it can be to grow up in an environment where support is missing and the people around you do not understand your needs. When I saw the gaps in mainstream education, I recognised what children were going through. I did not want them to experience the same struggles I had. I wanted to create a place where children felt understood, where their strengths could be recognised, and where families could find people willing to work through the challenges with them. On 1 April 2014, Hatching opened its doors in a small shoplot in Desa Sri Hartamas, Kuala Lumpur, with just five children and a team of four teachers and therapists. We began small, with a hope that meant a great deal to me: that the children who came through our doors would have the support I had needed growing up. Over time, that hope became a shared commitment. Our team believed deeply in Hatching’s vision and brought their own care, ideas and dedication to it. As more families joined us, our team grew stronger, and we expanded into different communities across the Klang Valley. Other centres and organisations began reaching out for collaboration and support, allowing our work to reach further. Together, we have helped more than 100 students transition into mainstream schools. Each transition represents a child’s effort, a family’s hopes and the patient work of the people supporting them. For learners who need a different pathway, we help build practical skills, confidence and opportunities for employment and greater independence. From the beginning, our vision also included adults with special needs. We saw how much support was missing beyond childhood, and how many questions families faced about the years ahead. Growing older should come with opportunities to make choices, form friendships, earn a living and have a place to belong. That belief continues to shape our work—from early intervention and education to vocational development, employment opportunities and Co-Living by Hatching. We are building support for the different stages of life, with each person’s needs, wishes and dignity at the centre. When I look at Hatching today, I see the people who have made this possible: children who keep trying, families who trust us, and a team that has made this vision their own. What began with my own experience now belongs to all of us—a shared commitment to helping people with special needs grow up, and grow older, with understanding, opportunity and support. Loh Yee Shan Founder, Hatching Center
Our Team
Blog
The Hatching Center team consists of special education teachers, play therapists, clinical or educational psychologist, speech pathologist, occupational therapist, physical therapist music therapist, and other professionals within Hatching Center network. Hatching Center also have a panel of visiting consultants including paediatricians, neurologists and child psychiatrists.
We have a comprehensive range of standardised assessments, observations and structured programmes to cater to a wide range of needs. Using this pool of resources, the team of professionals collaborates to conduct assessments and develop individualised programmes for each child or adolescent. The programmes are also planned with family involvement in mind as their participation is important in facilitating the child’s progress.
Our Offering
Personalised education from EIP through Primary and Secondary Years; one-to-one therapy, psychology and assessments; enrichment and family training; and pathways into mainstream school, employment and supported adult living.
Our Mission
To walk alongside neurodivergent children, teenagers, adults and their families, providing personalised education, therapy and practical support that grow with them. Through play, learning and everyday experiences, we build pathways into mainstream education, meaningful employment and supported independence—guided by each person’s strengths, needs and aspirations.
Our Vision
A society where every person with special needs is understood, valued and included, with opportunities to learn, work, build relationships and shape their own life—and where support continues as they grow from childhood into adulthood.
LOH YEE SHAN
Founder and Managing Director, Child Psychologist
“Being a Child Psychologist is rewarding, but being a Special Needs Teacher is even more fulfilling, I enjoy bringing positive impact and changes in a good way in everybody. Seeing my students growing up and improving every single day, it is a process of joy, and no other jobs will be able to give me this kind of job satisfaction.
Be somebody who makes everybody feel like somebody is always my principle. Be it special needs or neoro-typical, adult or children, we are all different in some way. To create a platform to allow everybody come together and build an inclusive environment, provide equal opportunity to play and learn, making dream come true is what Hatching about.”
TAN LAY EAN
PA to Managing Director
Working in Hatching has not only open my mind to special needs education but has also open my heart to embrace the uniqueness of special needs children. When a special kid walks through the doors of Hatching, hope of a better quality of life awaits him/her. I know because I have seen with my own eyes the wondrous transformation that had taken place because of the untiring collaboration of the teachers, therapists, parents and caregivers.
LOOI WEI LI
Co-Director & Consultant of Speech Therapists
“I become a speech therapist because I want to help others improving their quality of life. After few years working in a busy hospital in Cheras, I still cannot find a good intervention school for my preschool and school-aged clients. In Hatching, there are full of possibilities and ways to prepare a conducive learning environment and resources for a child and their family to grow along this long yet treasured intervention journey. This is the journey of life influencing life for the future betterment holistically. This is the mission of my life. My vision is to enable the accessibility to this quality education by all the students with different learning needs in the country by implementing it at the government level.”
SHAHRIZAL BIN SELAMAT
Co-Director & Consultant of Occupational Therapists
“I always knew that I wanted to have a career in a health-related profession and education, because I was extremely interested in medicine and teaching. I wanted to work in a profession that would enable me to work with other people on a daily basis. I decided to become an occupational therapist because I wanted to help people, and that is exactly what occupational therapists do: We assist people in becoming independent in their daily live.
As part of Hatching team, I am grateful to have an opportunity where I can help my student growth and develop to their maximum capacity and improve their function in their life.”
TAN EI WIN
Clinical Psychologist
“ As a clinical psychologist, my passion is to help children/teens and adults to discover their ability to help themselves and cope with a variety of emotional, developmental, and psycho-social issues. Working in a child setting, I always believe that each child has their inner strengths and talents that can be worked together with their parent and teacher to make a difference in their lives. It is also my ultimate goal to help the children and families to lead more happy and productive lives. ”
Gan Shy Cheat
Manager of Sister's Pie & CoLiving by Hatching
“老师这一行一点都不简单，要面对压力还有家长的要求。可是，当看到学生一点一点的进步时，一切都是值得的。 虽然这一条路真的很不好走 ，想要在金钱和事业平衡真的很不可以…有时觉得付出了这么多，可是换回来的回报却是那么的少…两者只能选择其一。我不是一个出色的老师，可是，我是一个负责任的老师… 永远都是学生第一自己第二。做这一份工，最重要的是看见学生有进步，还有家长的笑容，真的是一切值得…”
Siti Kaiyisah
Director and Head of School of Kayden Center, Kelantan
“I'm inspired to become a special education teacher because I believe in the power of education to transform lives. Every child deserves the chance to learn and grow, regardless of their abilities or challenges. By becoming a special education teacher, I can make a meaningful impact by creating inclusive and supportive learning environments where every student can thrive and reach their full potential.
I am deeply committed to advocating for and uplifting students with diverse learning needs. Being able to tailor my teaching methods to accommodate individual strengths and challenges allows me to foster a sense of belonging and achievement in every student. By embracing inclusivity and celebrating diversity, I aim to empower my students to overcome obstacles and embrace their unique abilities.”
Soh Sien Wei
Head of School of Kelana Jaya
“During my high school time, I always notice there is a group of students wear different colour uniform and have different timing for school. Then, I found out they are from PPKI program. The awareness of Special Needs is low, that makes me want to study more about special needs and I got my Degree in Special Education. After years of teaching, I realized I can contribute more if I am in the management role and I got my Master Degree in Management. People are changing, as a special educator needs to keep learning and monitor the trend in order to provide better service according to the needs.”
Joanne Thean Mei Lee
Child Psychologist & Head of School of Cheras
“I want to become a teacher because it is my passion to make a positive difference in an individual life. Teaching is not only giving but also receiving, the knowledge that was taught by the teacher and at certain times children was the one enlightens the teacher with lots of different ideas. We both somehow learn from each other in some way.”
Shew Mee Lai
Co-Director, Child Psychologist & Head of School of OUG
“在读书期间，没有想过会做special needs teacher。 直到degree internship 的时候， 我在一间special needs centre当实习生。发现special needs 是我们社会忽略的一块。虽然实习期间过程很不容易，需要很多的耐心和技巧去了解和帮助一个孩子，但是看见孩子们被了解和逐渐地进步让我觉得很有成就感。此外，每个孩子都很特别，我也很感兴趣去了解他们的行为。”
Wilson Oh Jin Xian
Head of School of Pudu
“I enjoy working with special needs children because they often teach us as much as we teach them. I became a special needs teacher because I was a problematic child myself and understand the frustration of being reprimanded for not following instructions, even when having a different perspective. My goal is to help these children learn and meet societal expectations. While it can be challenging, being a special needs teacher is incredibly rewarding.”
NG PIK KWAN
Music Teacher