Special needs education in Singapore & learning support

When it comes to learning support for kids with learning differences, there are choices available at schools as well as at external support providers. Here are some options for assisting children with learning difficulties. They include early intervention programmes, learning support educators, therapy centres and organisations that focus on special needs education in Singapore.

DICE Early Intervention & Therapy – tailored treatment programmes

Recognising and accommodating diverse learning and behavioural needs, DICE offers personalised and developmentally tailored programmes for children from two to eight years of age. A huge focus of the team is on empowering children with the foundational skills they need to succeed in school and in daily life – encouraging curiosity, exploration, and self-motivated learning in a nurturing environment. The experienced therapists take a child-centred approach that incorporates play, creative arts, sensory experiences, physical movement, and meaningful social interactions. This emphasises respect for the child’s natural psychological development and hands-on learning, and fosters independence.

Their Early Intervention Program includes:

• Individualised Education Plans (IEPs) specifically tailored to a child’s unique requirements;
• a 1:3 ratio of learning support educators to students, or one-to-one sessions that meet a child’s special needs education; and
• support in behaviour management, cognitive skills, language skills, motor skills, social skills and daily living skills.

When children demonstrate higher readiness for advanced learning, independence and group participation, they’re recommended to switch to DICE’s School Readiness Program. This provides targeted preparation for formal schooling, focusing on:

• early literacy and numeracy skills;
• confidence and independence in classroom routines;
• social skills development to foster positive peer relationships and group participation; and
• self-help skills and adaptability to structured learning environments.

Other programmes at DICE that support different needs:

• The Social Skills Group fosters confidence and positive peer relationships through cooperative activities that promote independence and social awareness.
• The Little Letters enrichment programme combines tactile, manipulatives-based activities with the Jolly Phonics curriculum to teach phonics, reading, and writing skills.

With trained therapists delivering this programme, children receive individualised behavioural and learning support in every session while mastering phonics. More importantly, the programme is especially well suited for children who may find a typical phonics class challenging due to attention, sensory or behavioural needs.

With a supportive, family-centred environment, DICE also provides parents with regular progress updates and home strategies, helping children apply their skills in different learning environments.

#04-76 Midview City, 22 Sin Ming Lane (by appointment only)
8088 3423 | dice.sg | info@dice.sg

Integrated International School – various special needs education options

Integrated International School (IIS) has been redefining success for students of all abilities since 2009. The boutique international school offers an inclusive education with personalised support for each child, within a nurturing environment. The school has a team of experienced learning support educators and support staff. They’re highly equipped for assisting and nurturing students with a range of learning disorders and difficulties, including autism ADHD. This team helps prepare children to achieve their full potential and succeed on the global stage. There’s also a zero-tolerance policy against mistreatment or bullying of students.

There are several support options available for students at IIS:-

• Education Therapy focuses on addressing specific learning challenges such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia and more. Therapists work closely with students to develop individualised strategies for enhancing learning and academic performance. Parents can expect regular updates on their child’s progress and collaborative goal-setting to support learning at home.
• Speech and Language Therapy services aim to improve students’ communication skills, including articulation, language comprehension and social communication. Therapists assess and address issues such as speech delays, language disorders and social communication difficulties.
• Occupational Therapy (OT) supports students in developing fine motor skills, sensory integration and self-regulation abilities. OT is beneficial for students who experience challenges with handwriting, coordination or sensory processing. The strategies can be implemented both in school and at home to support the child’s development.
• The Von Auer Collaborative Teaching Approach empowers learning support educators to exercise flexibility and collaboration in lesson planning for adapting to individual student learning styles. In this way, no student feels left behind. This approach was developed by the school’s founder and CEO, Dr Vanessa Von Auer, who is a clinical psychologist.

The school has also launched its parent association, the ‘Parent Squad’! This will foster a supportive community for parents of children with diverse learning needs. It offers a safe, inclusive space for parents to connect, share experiences, gain practical insights from one another. They can also socialise on and off campus.

#01-01 Capital Square Two, 21 Church Street
6466 4475 | iis.edu.sg

Singapore American School – diverse learning support

Since 1956, Singapore American School has provided students with an American education with an international perspective. The large, non-profit and inclusive international school welcomes a diverse range of learners.

The school is also committed to building the systems and structures that support them effectively. Its support services programme is designed to identify and address gaps in student skills, providing targeted interventions that empower students to work with increasing independence. Using a strengths-based and culturally responsive approach, SAS focuses on what students can do, building on their abilities to help them thrive in their academic, extracurricular and personal development.

A dedicated team of learning support teachers, counsellors, school psychologists, speech and language pathologists and other specialists provide a continuum of academic, behavioural and socio-emotional support. This work starts with high-quality classroom instruction and support for all students in the general education setting. The school provides targeted interventions through small group or individualised instruction when students need more support. For students with more significant needs, specialised services and individualised plans are provided.

Collaborative learning support partnership with parents

SAS purposefully builds student capacity for future challenges by focusing on skill development. For students requiring more intensive support, a dedicated case manager serves as a key point of contact, coordinating communication and ensuring a collaborative partnership between the student, family and teachers. The school’s college counsellors have extensive experience helping every student explore and apply to appropriate post-secondary learning opportunities that align with their strengths and goals.

To foster a strong home-school partnership, school counsellors and support staff host informational sessions on relevant topics for all parents. Also available are more targeted talks for families of students accessing support services. Two parent-led support groups, Parent Support for Mental Health and the Parent and Support Services Community, are open to all and serve as vital resources for the school’s community.

40 Woodlands Street 41
6363 3403 | sas.edu.sg 

The Winstedt School – tailored learning support for students and parents

The Winstedt School believes children deserve to learn in a way that works for them. The team prioritise student wellbeing, nurture confidence and create an inclusive environment where all learners can succeed. Their comprehensive, evidence-based model of support empowers students to discover their strengths and define their future.

Every class is led by learning support educators trained to support students who learn differently. This includes students with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia and mental health or wellbeing needs. Learning follows the British National curriculum. Additional one-to-one support in Literacy, Maths and English as an Additional Language is available, ensuring no child is left behind.

Success is about more than academics at Winstedt. Every student benefits from weekly Social and Emotional Learning classes, alongside small-group therapy to build social skills, communication, executive functioning and mental health resilience. In therapy gyms, children develop fine and gross motor skills through goal-based activities. Support is seamlessly integrated into the school day via in-house specialists in Occupational Therapy (OT), Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) and Behavioural Therapy.

Newly launched learning support education pathway

The school has just launched its EXPLORE (eXploratory Paths and Learning Opportunities by Redefining Education) pathways. These begins with the Young Explorers Programme for Years 1 and 2, focusing on emotional development and readiness for future academic success. From Year 3 onwards, students strengthen literacy and mathematics at their own pace, while developing collaboration and a love of learning. Therapies and Life Skills are woven into the curriculum, ensuring a truly holistic approach.

All pathways lead to Winstedt’s globally recognised WASC-accredited 4-year Diploma (Years 10 to 13). It replaces traditional exams with coursework and projects that highlight students’ unique strengths. Graduates have progressed to universities, colleges and employment, leaving Winstedt with the creativity, resilience and clarity to define their own future.

1208 Upper Boon Keng Road
6715 5373 | info@winstedt.edu.sg
winstedt.edu.sg

Psych Connect – learning support programmes & parent support groups

The learning support programmes at Psych Connect bring together comprehensive assessments and tailored interventions. Psychological assessments here go beyond diagnostic labels, identifying the processes that impact learning. This allows the team to address both the diagnosis and the contributing factors. For example, difficulties with handwriting and sensory processing may contribute to constructional apraxia, which in turn affects written expression. In such cases, the team collaborates – educational therapists support literacy skills while occupational therapists address motor challenges.

The clinic’s approach respects the strengths of both mainstream and special schools. They maximise inclusion wherever possible, while recognising that each family’s journey is unique. Their multidisciplinary team – which includes psychologists, occupational therapists, speech-language therapists, and educational therapists trained in Orton–Gillingham, Lindamood Bell and other programmes – partners with families and schools to embed strategies across daily life. This ensures children gain confidence, independence and a shorter “therapy runway”.

Interventions available at Psych Connect cover:

• Individual educational therapy – personalised sessions supporting literacy, numeracy and study skills.
• Low-cost educational therapy – affordable options to make quality support accessible.
• Pair/group sessions – including reading programmes, study skills groups and executive functioning groups, which encourage peer learning and strategy development.
• ADHD and executive functioning coaching – structured coaching in organisation, planning, time management, goal setting and problem-solving.
• Therapeutic shadow support – trained professionals who provide in-class assistance to support learning and integration in mainstream schools.
• Intensive individualised early intervention – targeted, neuro-affirming therapy for younger neurodiverse children, equipping them with skills for participation in inclusive and mainstream school environments.

In addition to direct interventions, families working with Psych Connect can join parent support groups. These groups provide strategies from the team’s clinicians, emotional support and, above all, the opportunity to build a community of families who share similar journeys at Psych Connect.

10 Winstedt Road, #03-12/13
6493 0244 | admin@psychconnect.sg
psychconnect.sg

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