Choosing the right educational environment for your child can be a challenging task, especially when your child is on the autism spectrum. This list of schools for autistic children in Singapore is compiled to assist parents in finding the perfect fit for their child. Singapore boasts a range of schools that are specifically designed to cater to the unique needs of children with autism.
Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder of the brain that affects how a person communicates, relates and interacts with other people.
Apparently, 1 in 150 children In Singapore are on the autism spectrum, even higher than the World Health Organisation’s global figure of 1 in 160 children.
Autism can usually be detected when a child is between 2 – 3 years old. It can sometimes even be detected in children 18 months or younger. In Singapore, a definitive diagnosis of autism is made when the child is around 3 years old.
A general developmental screening test is conducted on the first visit by a multidisciplinary team of specialists. Your child may be called in for subsequent assessments by developmental paediatricians and allied health professionals (e.g. psychologists) if further psychological or diagnostic evaluations are required.
Top Schools for Autistic Children in Singapore
Here in Singapore, education is a cornerstone of society. It’s a place where every child, regardless of their abilities, is allowed to learn and grow. This inclusive approach is especially evident in the educational provisions made for children with autism.
From public institutions that offer specialized support within mainstream classrooms, to private schools designed specifically around the unique learning needs of autistic students, Singapore offers a diverse range of choices.
In this list of schools for autistic children in Singapore, we will explore the top schools for autistic children in Singapore, delving into both public and private options.
Whether you’re a parent seeking the best possible environment for your child, or simply someone interested in special education, this comprehensive guide will provide valuable insights into the schooling landscape for autistic children in Singapore.
Early Intervention Centres (EICs) Public Centres
The following public centres are appointed by the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) to run the Early Intervention Programme for Infants and Children (EIPIC).
EIPIC provides therapy and educational support services for infants and young children with special needs. It equips them with the necessary skills and helps develop their potential, thereby overcoming developmental delays as far as possible.
Autism Resource Centre
Source: Autism Resource Centre (Singapore)
Age: 1.5 to 6 years old
https://www.wecaneip.com/
WeCAN Early Intervention Programme
5, Ang Mo Kio 10, S(569739)
Contact:
Ms Melissa Tan (Operations Executive)
Tel: 6323 3258 | Email: melissa.tan@autism.org.sg
AWWA Early Intervention Centre
Source: AWWA
Age: 0 to 6 years old
AWWA EIC @ Fernvale
47 Fernvale Link S(797537) (Next to HDB Blk 431A Fernvale Link)
AWWA EIC @ Hougang
11, Lorong Napiri, S(547532)
and
Blk 660/661, Hougang Ave 8, S(530660)
AWWA EIC @ Kim Keat
Blk 195, Kim Keat Ave, S(310195)
Building Bridges EIPIC Centre
Source: SPD
Age: 0 to 6 years old
www.spd.org.sg/category/spdstories/
Building Bridges EIPIC Centre at SPD Ability Centre
2, Peng Nguan Street, SPD Ability Centre, S(168955)
Contact:
Ong Xiu Hui
Tel no. 6579 0752 | Email:ong_xiu_hui@spd.org.sg
Building Bridges EIPIC Centre at SPD@Bedok
Blk 522, Bedok North Ave 1, S(460522)
Contact:
Ms Junaidah Baharawi (Senior Social Worker)
Tel: 6435 0255 | Email:junaidah_baharawi@spd.org.sg
Building Bridges EIPIC Centre at SPD@Tampines
Blk 866, Tampines St 83, #01-237, S(520866)
Contact:
Siti Madinah
Tel: 6587 7604 | Email:madinah_ms@spd.org.sg
Yvonne Chew
Email:yvonne_chew@spd.org.sg
Building Bridges EIPIC Centre at SPD@Jurong
Blk 337, Jurong East Ave 1, #01-1562, S(600337)
Contact:
Ms Nur Iriani Binte Saiman
Tel: 6268 0115 | Email:iriani_ns@spd.org.sg
Ms Mangaikarasi D/O Kannasaba
Tel: 6665 1852 | Email:mangaikarasi_k@spd.org.sg
Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore School (CPASS)
Source: Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore School (CPASS)
Age: 6 months to 6 years old
cpas.org.sg/eipic/
CPAS EIPIC
65 Pasir Ris Dr 1 S(519529)
EIPIC
Blk 630 Pasir Ris Drive 3, #01-364, S(510630)
Contact:
Latha Kutty (EIPIC Principal)
Tel: 6585 5647 | Email:latha@cpas.org.sg
Eden Children’s Centre
Source: Eden School / Eden Centres for Adults / Eden Children’s Centre / AAS/Facebook
Age: 2 to 6 years old
https://www.autismlinks.org.sg/programmes/ecc
Eden Children’s Centre (Simei)
Blk 148, Simei St 1, #01-121, S(520148)
Contact:
Christy Wong (Head of Centre)
Tel: 6783 7066 | Email:christy@autismassociation.org.sg
Eden Children’s Centre (Clementi)
Blk 374 Clementi Ave 4, #01-182, S(120374)
Contact:
Tutie Noorsiah Bte Alui (Head of Centre)
Tel: 6773 6930 | Email:tutie@autismassociation.org.sg
Fei Yue Early Intervention Centre For Children
Source: Fei Yue Early Intervention Centre For Children
Age: 0 to 6 years old
https://www.fycs.org/
Fei Yue EIC @ Jurong East (JE)
Blk 101 Jurong East St 13, #01-188, S(600101)
Fei Yue EIC @ Wellington Circle (WC)
Blk 508, Wellington Circle, S(750508)
Contact:
Katherine Kwan (Administrator)
Tel: 6565 6260 (JE) or 6431 0400 (WC) | Email:katherinekwan@fycs.org
Metta Welfare Association
Age: 2.5 to 6 years old
www.metta.org.sg/special-education/
Metta Preschool
Blk 194 Punggol Road #01-01 S(820194)
Contact:
Kwok Sujuan (Head of Curriculum)
Tel: 6483 9585 | Email:sujuan@metta.org.sg
Rainbow Centre
Source: Early Intervention – Rainbow Centre, Singapore
Age: 2 months to 6 years old
https://rainbowcentre.org.sg/index.php?id=67
Rainbow Centre Early Intervention Programme – Margaret Drive (RC EIPMD)
501, Margaret Drive, S(149306)
Contact:
Nolita Noordin (Student Admission Executive)
Tel: 6472 7077 ext 206 | Email:nolita@rainbowcentre.org.sg
Rainbow Centre Early Intervention Programme – Yishun Park (RC EIPYP)
15, Yishun St 61, S(768548)
Contact:
Sarah Lim (Student Admission Executive)
Tel no. 6482 2592 | Email:jessiesarah@rainbowcentre.org.sg
Thye Hua Kwan (THK) EIPIC Centre
Source: Thye Hua Kwan (THK) EIPIC Centre
Age: 0 to 6 years old
https://www.thkmc.org.sg/services_detail/thk-eipic-centres/
THK EIPIC Centre @ Ang Mo Kio
Blk 313, Ang Mo Kio Ave 3, #01- 2322, S(560313)
THK EIPIC Centre @ Choa Chu Kang
Blk 606, Choa Chu Kang St 62, #01-139, S(680606)
THK EIPIC Centre @ Tampines
Blk 424, Tampines St 41, #01-188, S(520424)
THK EIPIC Centre @ Woodlands
Blk 716, Woodlands Dr 70, #01- 124, S(730716)
Contact:
Agatha Tan (Executive Director, EIPIC)
Tel: 6783 5338 | Email:eipic@thkmc.org.sg
Private Centres
The following centres are private intervention centres eligible for Enhanced Pilot for Private Intervention Providers.
Edunamics Pte Ltd
Source: Edunamics Pte Ltd
Age: 2 to 6 years old
https://www.edunamics.com.sg/
583 Orchard Road, #15-01 Forum The Shopping Mall, S(238884)
Contact:
Dimple Kaur
Tel: 6737 8958 | Email:info@edunamics.com.sg
Genesis School for Special Education
Source: Genesis School for Special Education
Age: 2.5 to 6 years old
https://www.genesisschool.com.sg/
9/11 West Coast Road Singapore 127296
Contact:
Angie Tan
Tel: 6733 1172 | Email:angie@genesisschool.com.sg
Kaleidoscope Therapy and Learning Center
Source: Kaleidoscope Therapy and Learning Center
Age: 0 to 18 months
https://www.kaleidoscope.com.sg/
200 Turf Club Road, #07-05/06 The Grandstand, Turf City S(287994)
Contact:
Jo Fisher
Tel: 6468 8991 or 6468 8039 | Email:info@kaleidoscope.com.sg
Leapfrogs Pte Ltd
Source: Leapfrogs Pte Ltd
Age: 2 to 6 years old
https://www.leap-frogs.com/
144 Bukit Timah Rd S(229844)
Contact:
Priscilla Tan
Tel: 6733 1992 | Email:eip@leap-frogs.com
Three Oaks Pte Ltd
Source: Three Oaks Pte Ltd
Age: 2.5 to 6 years old
https://www.mightyoakslc.com/
312A Tanglin Road, Phoenix Park Office Campus, #01-02, S(247976)
Contact:
Suvi Pitkola
Tel: 6736 2663 | Email: info@mightyoakslc.com
Special Education (SPED) Schools
SPED schools cater to various children with Special Educational Needs (SEN).
All applications to SPED schools are to be made using the Common SPED School Application Form by the Ministry of Education (MOE). MOE also provides a guide to choosing the right school for parents of children with SEN here.
Asian Women’s Welfare Association (AWWA)
Source: Asian Women’s Welfare Association (AWWA)
AWWA School
Age: 7 to 18 years old
11 Lorong Napiri, S(547532)
Contact:
Tel: 6511 5280 | Email: school@awwa.org.sg
Association for Persons with Special Needs (APSN)
Source: Association for Persons with Special Needs (APSN)
APSN – Chaoyang School
Age: 7 to 12 years old
https://www.apsn.org.sg/schools/chaoyang-school/
18 Ang Mo Kio Ave 9, S(569767)
Contact:
Chaoyang School
Tel: 6456 6922 | Email:cys@apsn.org.sg
APSN – Delta Senior School
Age: 17 to 21 years old
https://www.apsn.org.sg/schools/delta-senior-school/
3 Choa Chu Kang Grove, S(688237)
Contact:
Delta Senior School
Tel: 6276 3818 | Email: dss@apsn.org.sg
APSN – Katong School
Age: 7 to 16 years old
https://www.apsn.org.sg/schools/katong-school/
900 New Upper Changi Road, S(467354)
Contact:
Katong School
Tel: 6445 8027 | Email: ks@apsn.org.sg
APSN – Tanglin School
Age: 13 to 16 years old
https://www.apsn.org.sg/schools/tanglin-school/
143 Alexandra Road, S(159924)
Contact:
Tanglin School
Tel: 6475 1511 | Email: ts@apsn.org.sg
Autism Association (Singapore)
Eden School
Age: 7 to 18 years old
https://www.edenschool.edu.sg/
101 Bukit Batok West Avenue 3, S(659168)
Contact:
Eden School
Tel: 6265 7400 | Email: enquiry@edenschool.edu.sg
Autism Resource Centre (Singapore)
Pathlight School
Source: Pathlight School | ARC(S) Annual Report 2019/20
Age: 7 to 18
5 Ang Mo Kio Ave 10, S(569739)
Contact:
Tel: 6459 9951 | Email: queries@pathlight.org.sg
Metta Welfare Association
Metta School
Age: 7 to 18/21 years old
https://www.mettaschool.edu.sg/
30 Simei St 1, S(529949)
Contact:
Metta School
Tel: 6788 5800 | Email:enquiry@mettaschool.edu.sg
Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (MINDS)
Source: Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (MINDS)
MINDS – Fernvale Gardens School
Age: 7 to 18 years old
https://www.minds.org.sg/FGS/
7 Fernvale Road, S(797635)
Contact:
Fernvale Gardens School
Tel: 6481 6697 |fgs@minds.org.sg
MINDS – Lee Kong Chian Gardens School
Age: 7 to 18 years old
https://www.minds.org.sg/LGS/
802 Margaret Drive, S(149311)
Contact:
Lee Kong Chian Gardens School
Tel: 6473 8332 |lgs@minds.org.sg
MINDS – Towner Gardens School
Age: 7 to 18 years old
https://www.minds.org.sg/TGS/
1B Lengkong Lima, S(417557)
Contact:
Towner Gardens School
Tel: 6446 2612 |tgs@minds.org.sg
MINDS – Woodlands Gardens School
Age: 7 to 18 years old
https://www.minds.org.sg/WGS/
30 Woodlands Ring Road, #01-01, S(737883)
Contact:
Woodlands Gardens School
Tel: 6468 0566 |wgs@minds.org.sg
Presbyterian Community Services
Source: Presbyterian Community Services
Grace Orchard School
Source: Grace Orchard School
Age: 7 to 18 years old
https://go.edu.sg/
6A Jurong West St 52, S(649297)
Contact:
Grace Orchard
Tel: 6561 9128 | Email:info@go.edu.sg
Rainbow Centre
Rainbow Centre – Margaret Drive School
Age: 7 to 18 years old
https://rainbowcentre.org.sg/index.php?id=69
501 Margaret Drive, S(149306)
Contact:
Rainbow Centre – Margaret Drive School
Tel: 6472 7077 | Email:rcmds@rainbowcentre.org.sg
Rainbow Centre – Yishun Park School
Age: 7 to 18 years old
https://rainbowcentre.org.sg/index.php?id=69
15 Yishun Street 61, S(768548)
Contact:
Rainbow Centre – Yishun Park School
Tel: 6482 2592 | Email:rcyps@rainbowcentre.org.sg
Saint Andrew’s Mission Hospital (SAMH)
Source: St. Andrew’s Autism School | MOE
St Andrew’s Autism School
Age: 7 to 18 years old
https://www.saac.org.sg/
1 Elliott Road, S(458686)
Contact:
St Andrew’s Autism School
Tel: 6517 3800 | Email:admissions@saac.org.sg
Choosing Schools for Autistic Children in Singapore
Choosing the right school for your child is a momentous decision, isn’t it? And when your child has autism, this decision becomes even more critical. But don’t worry! In Singapore, you have a variety of options at your disposal, both in the public and private sectors, each catering to different needs and circumstances.
On Public Schools for Autistic Children in Singapore
You’ve probably noticed that public schools in Singapore are increasingly becoming inclusive environments. Isn’t that great? Many mainstream schools now offer support for children with mild autism. These schools are facilitated by allied professionals who provide the necessary assistance.
The Ministry of Education in Singapore even lists several Special Education (SPED) schools that accommodate children with Special Educational Needs (SEN), including those with autism.
On Private Schools for Autistic Children in Singapore
Now, let’s talk about the private sector. It offers specialized schools that cater explicitly to children with autism. These institutions often provide more personalized attention and therapeutic services, which may be beneficial for children requiring more intensive support.
There are various resources available online where you can find comprehensive lists of these schools, aiding you in making informed decisions.
Now, choosing between public and private options depends largely on your child’s specific needs and your family’s preferences and resources. It’s essential to consider factors such as the level of support required, class size, teaching methods, availability of therapeutic services, and, of course, the cost.
Remember, the ultimate goal is to find a nurturing environment that not only accommodates but actively supports and promotes your child’s growth and development. With the diverse range of schools available in Singapore, you can be assured of finding an educational setting that suits your child’s unique needs.
Embracing the Journey
As you stand on the precipice of this major milestone, sending your child with autism to school, know that you are not alone. This journey may be filled with a unique set of challenges, but it’s also brimming with opportunities for growth, discovery, and joy.
Your little one is about to embark on an exciting educational adventure, and while this thought might stir up a mix of emotions, it’s important to remember that every child’s journey is special and distinct. Your child, with their unique gifts and perspectives, has so much to offer the world — and education is just one path for them to shine.
Sending your child with autism to school is a significant step, not just for them, but for you as well. It’s a testament to your love, your courage, and your hope for their future.
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