Supporting Kindergarten Children with Possible Developmental Needs when Parents Decline Assessment for Early Intervention

30 Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Social and Family Development how does the Ministry provide support to kindergarten children with possible developmental needs when their parents decline to allow their children to be assessed by a paediatrician to determine the level of Early Intervention support they may require.

Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M: Children with possible developmental needs must be formally assessed by a paediatrician to determine the level of Early Intervention (EI) support they need and be referred to suitable EI programmes. The decision for a child to undergo this process ultimately rests with the parent and we strongly encourage parents to allow their children to be assessed and to enrol their child in recommended EI programmes. These programmes are designed to provide the necessary support for both the child and the family.