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Small Changes, Big Progress: Shen Wei’s Journey

Small Changes, Big Progress: Shen Wei’s Journey

September 30, 2025, Written by 0 comment

Shen Wei, a 30-year-old with intellectual disability, has been part of SUN-DAC since December 2013. When Training Officer (TO) Ali joined the centre three months ago as Shen Wei’s main trainer, he noticed a recurring habit – Shen Wei would take off his shoes immediately upon arrival, leaving only his socks on. At first, TO Ali thought Shen Wei might be uncomfortable with his shoes and even brought two pairs of his own for Shen Wei to try. When comfort was ruled out, TO Ali realised it was simply a habit – one that posed safety concerns – and knew it had to be addressed.

Because Shen Wei can be quite forgetful, he needed frequent reminders to keep his shoes on, sometimes putting them back on only to remove them again shortly after. To help him build better habits, TO Ali introduced a behaviour chart with a simple system: Shen Wei had three “chances” a day to keep his shoes on. If he used up all three chances by removing them too often, he would lose his favourite privilege – walking freely around the classroom during free time.

At first, Shen Wei needed constant verbal reminders and would often use up all three chances. But over time, he began to understand the system – and, motivated by his love for walking around, he became more responsive. The reminders eventually shifted from verbal prompts to just simple gesture cues, and Shen Wei now keeps his shoes on about 80% of the time.

The key to this progress has been TO Ali’s patience, clear expectations, and consistent positive reinforcement. By linking the behaviour chart to something meaningful for Shen Wei, TO Ali helped him not only break an old habit but also gain a sense of responsibility for his own safety. Today, Shen Wei walks into the centre ready to participate – shoes on, confidence growing, and independence building step by step.


💛 Help more clients like Shen Wei take steps toward independence. Your support allows SUN-DAC to create personalised programmes and tools that empower individuals to grow and thrive. Volunteer with SUN-DAC or donate today to make a difference.

SUN-DAC

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