Increasing Range of Early Identification, Intervention and Support Programmes for Families with Special Needs Children

57 Assoc Prof Razwana Begum Abdul Rahim asked the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) whether the Ministry will consider strengthening the range of early identification, intervention and support programmes for parents and caregivers of children with special needs; and (b) whether the Ministry will consider developing and implementing a community education programme to inform parents and caregivers of children with special needs about available support options.

Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M: It is our goal for children with developmental needs to be given a good start in life and have opportunities to achieve their fullest potential.

The Government has strengthened support at various touchpoints to enable more timely and systematic identification of children with developmental needs. From birth, parents can track their children’s developmental milestones via the Child Health Booklet and are encouraged to take their children for Childhood Developmental Screening (CDS). Eligible Singaporean children receive subsidised CDS at polyclinics and Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) general practitioner clinics. CDS has been streamlined to be conducted together with recommended childhood vaccinations. By end-2023, every preschool will have an Inclusion Coordinator, who can help fellow educators identify children with potential developmental needs for further assessment and link them up with relevant early intervention support.

Children who require early intervention (EI) will be referred to appropriate support – either at hospitals or an EI programme in the community. A range of EI programmes is available for various age groups, levels of support and settings. For example, children aged three to six requiring medium levels of EI support can be supported at EI centres via the Early Intervention Programme for Infants and Children or in preschools via the Inclusive Support Programme. Those with low levels of EI support can be supported in preschools via the Development Support – Learning Support programme.

Besides early detection and intervention for children with developmental needs, support for their caregivers is also crucial to the children’s well-being and development. EI centres provide caregiver engagement and training so that caregivers are equipped with the skills and knowledge to support their children at home.

In 2022, the Early Childhood Development Agency launched the Parents’ Guide, a guide with information on ways to access EI services, support available to facilitate the child’s transition from the preschool years to school-age provisions, as well as self-care strategies and resources.

Furthermore, SG Enable has worked with CaringSG, a caregiver-led organisation, to launch the Step One programme in July 2023. This programme aims to equip caregivers with knowledge and skills to carry out their caregiving duties and connect them with support networks. Caregivers can find out more about these support options via the online Enabling Guide.

To help parents make an informed decision on the appropriate educational setting for their child in schooling years, the Ministry of Education (MOE) has collaborated with hospitals, EI centres and special education (SPED) schools to develop common standards to guide professional assessments and align recommendations given to parents. MOE also holds an annual Parent Forum, in collaboration with the KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH) and the National University Hospital (NUH), to help parents better understand how mainstream and SPED schools can support their child’s needs. During the schooling years, SPED schools work closely with parents to monitor their children’s growth and facilitate the application of skills at home and in the community. The biennial MOE SPED Learning Festival also includes workshops for parents to connect with professionals for advice on supporting their child’s Special Education Needs.

We will continue to engage healthcare providers, EI operators, preschools, SPED schools and parents to ensure robust early identification and intervention for children with developmental needs, as well as to provide education and support for their caregivers. In addition to having services and programmes available, it is equally important for family, friends and other caregivers to provide support for children with developmental needs and their families. Let us all play a part by extending a helping hand when we see families in need.