Available Places in Special Education Schools for Students with Autism and Other Disabilities and Average Waiting Time for Enrolment
Ministry of EducationSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the availability of Special Education (SPED) school places and average enrollment waiting times for students with autism, raised by Ms He Ting Ru. Minister for Education Chan Chun Sing stated that 19 of 22 SPED schools support students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), including six schools focusing exclusively on ASD. He noted that places are sufficient and most students are placed within three months, although processing can take six months if further assessment is required. The Ministry of Education monitors demand with Social Service Agencies to ensure future capacity and organises annual forums to help parents select suitable SPED schools. Families are encouraged to list three choices, while the Ministry continues to plan ahead to cater to the diverse needs and profiles of students.
Transcript
28 Ms He Ting Ru asked the Minister for Education (a) how many places are available in Special Education (SPED) schools for students with autism in (i) schools that serve children with other disabilities and (ii) schools that only serve children with autism; and (b) what is the average waiting time for enrolment in these schools.
Mr Chan Chun Sing: Nineteen of our 22 SPED schools have programmes to support students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), with the exception of Canossian School, Lighthouse School and Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore School. Of these 19 SPED schools, six focus specifically on supporting students with ASD, while others take in students with ASD as well as those who have other Special Educational Needs (SEN). For instance, MINDS – Fernvale Gardens School supports students with intellectual disability but over half of its students also have ASD.
There are sufficient places in our SPED schools for children with ASD. Most applicants have a confirmed place within three months of applying. However, the application processing time can extend to six months if more assessment is required. And some families do choose to be waitlisted at their preferred school.
To help parents choose a suitable SPED school, MOE organises a Parent Forum together with KK Women's and Children's Hospital and National University Hospital once a year in October/November for parents of K1 students. SPED schools also conduct open houses. Parents are encouraged to indicate their top three choices on the SPED application form.
MOE continually monitors the demand for SPED school places and plans ahead with the Social Service Agencies that run the schools to cater to different SEN profiles, including ASD.