When it comes to learning support programmes for kids with learning differences, there are many choices available. Here are some of the best options for assisting children with learning difficulties. They include early intervention programmes, learning support educators, special needs education in Singapore, therapy centres and organisations.
Psychology Blossom – individualised treatment plans
Psychology Blossom comprises a large team of psychologists, psychotherapists and counsellors. They work with other healthcare professionals such as psychiatrists, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and doctors. The team attends to clients’ needs with empathy, respect and collaboration in a safe space. Their psychotherapists aim to ensure that clients leave sessions more equipped to address current issues and face life’s challenges.
The child therapy and assessment teams use a variety of assessment tools to identify specific learning or behavioural difficulties in children and adolescence. These include child and parent interviews, school observations and psychometric tests to measure intellectual abilities, evaluate academic skills as well as neurodevelopmental, behavioural or emotional challenges. Such evaluations aid in the diagnosis of learning disabilities or other presentations such as ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and autism. For neurodevelopmental disorders, they use a variety of assessments. Among them areConners Third Edition, Conners Continuous Performance Test, Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-Second Edition and Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised.
For students with learning and behavioural challenges, Psychology Blossom’s team develops Individualised Treatment Plans in collaboration with teachers, educators and parents. These plans outline specific accommodations, interventions and strategies tailored to the individual needs of the student to help them succeed academically and socially. This is particularly important as families and children navigate their transition to a new country or school. They also use a range of therapies such as sand play, play and expressive arts; music and movement activities; mindfulness; and breathing and relaxation techniques to support children in expressing themselves in different ways.
Psychology Blossom provides parents and teachers with training on how to work with children with challenges or learning disabilities. Early intervention therapy is provided for children to pick up fundamental skills to communicate and socialise to their best potential. Adults also have access to parenting and psychoeducation support groups designed to provide practical advice and coping strategies for dealing with caregiver stress and to better understand their child’s diagnosis and behaviour. For children with learning disabilities, support groups provide a sense of belonging, a safe space to share experiences, and opportunities to develop social skills.
#07-02 Wing on Life Building, 150 Cecil Street
8800 0554 | hello@psychologyblossom.com
psychologyblossom.com
Lyra Singapore – learning support programmes
Lyra Singapore (previously SACAC Counselling) supports the wider expatriate and local communities through a team of experienced and professionally trained counsellors, clinical psychologists and psychotherapists. Their multicultural team speaks 14 languages! They offer various types of assessment and therapeutic services for children (two years onwards) and adults. Children’s needs that are supported here include emotional, physical, academic and learning and behavioural challenges such as ADHD, autism, dyslexia, relationship challenges, addictions and trauma.
Cognitive, learning and behavioural challenges for young children and adolescents are identified through assessment and early intervention services. Psycho-educational and developmental assessments are then paired with therapeutic support to help children and adults develop essential skills that enable them to thrive academically, emotionally and socially.
The individual and group therapy services offered at Lyra Singapire address specific, emotional, learning, behavioural and developmental challenges for children, adults and families. The team uses a variety of therapeutic modalities. These include expressive therapies like Art, Play and Sand Therapy; Acceptance and Commitment Therapy; Cognitive Behavioural Therapy; Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing; Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, and more. Clients can expect one-on-one parent or family sessions with a trained therapist to work on specific areas of concern.
Lyra Singapore emphasises parenting when working with children and adolescents. The therapist will work collectively with whoever is involved in the care of the child. This ensures holistic support for them. They also organise specialised professional workshops, talks and support groups to address the specific needs of children and their families. Attendees can expect targeted instruction and strategies designed to improve skills and manage challenges as they arise.
#09-12 Thong Teck Building, 15 Scotts Road
6733 9249 | admin@sacac.sg
sacac.sg
Psych Connect – learning support programmes
The psychological assessments by Psych Connect are not merely diagnostic. They also assess processes. This enables the team to identify where the needs lie and what has to be targeted through intervention. Psych Connect says that, very often, intervention focuses only on the diagnosis of learning challenges. It ignores the processes that complicate them. For instance, if a child has handwriting or sensory processing challenges, this can contribute to construction apraxia. It then results in the child having difficulty with written expression, contributing to the diagnosis of dysgraphia. In this case, the dysgraphia needs to be supported by an educational therapist while constructional apraxia is addressed by an occupational therapist.
Interventions at Psych Connect are developed from evidence-based practice and neuroscience. The team believes in supporting children holistically through therapy and enabling their parents and their school. It’s not solely about enrolment in a special school. This ensures that the strategies they introduce are incorporated into the child’s life. The end result is a “a shorter therapy runway”.
Psych Connect works very closely with parents in providing strategies to support their children. The holistic process includes working with occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, and psychologists. The organisation’s Educational Therapists are trained in Ortho Gilliham and also use Lindamood Bell, in addition to other programmes. They offer Therapeutic Shadow support, where a trained professional helps a struggling student learn effectively and integrate with a mainstream school environment. Their ADHD and Executive Functioning Coaching, meanwhile, focuses on helping an individual with planning, time management, goal setting, organisation and problem solving.
#03-12/13, 10 Winstedt Road
6493 0244 | admin@psychconnect.sg
psychconnect.sg
AltSchool – learning support programmes
AltSchool was created by parents of special needs children who wanted to design an early intervention programme that integrates learning and therapy in a supportive, child-centred environment. They offer a one-stop solution for early intervention, therapy and after-school care for children aged three to eight years with developmental delays. This makes it a unique option for families seeking comprehensive learning support for their child’s developmental journey.
The centre’s holistic programme is designed for children with autism, GDD, speech delays, selective mutism, and fine and gross motor challenges. It focuses on preparing children for the future by mimicking real school environments and routines. This helps the child with a seamless transition into mainstream or specialised education settings.
Their approach blends evidence-based and play-responsive practices with Montessori principles. Children foster independence, creativity and exploration in a Montessori-inspired environment using natural materials and calming tones. There are also outdoor activities and exposure to new environments, to foster a deep love for learning.
AltSchool’s transdisciplinary team of learning support educators and therapists work closely to deliver an integrated approach to learning and development. Therapies such as Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and social-emotional learning have dedicated sessions. The sessions are also seamlessly woven into the children’s daily routines. Each child’s progress is closely monitored through Individualised Education Plans, which are crafted to nurture their strengths and abilities.
The centre places great emphasis on keeping parents involved every step of the way. There’s frequent and consistent communication through daily updates, weekly progress reports and termly parent-teacher meetings.
Flexible scheduling options are available, including full-day programmes. This is one of the few learning support centres in Singapore that offers comprehensive care for special needs children throughout the day.
#02-01, 374 River Valley Road
6908 5950 | hello@altschool-int.com
altschool-int.com
Parker Hamilton Consulting – special needs education consultants
Parker Hamilton is an educational consultancy based in the UK. It was founded by two mothers who have their own neurodiverse children, and many years of working with students at international schools. They work with students with learning differences – such as ASD, ADHD, dyslexia and dyspraxia – as well as those who are struggling socially, emotionally or academically in their current learning environment. They’ll find the right school for your child, one where the student feels supported, included and safe. And they’re not just experts in the school system. They can also find schools worldwide, from Australia, to Asia and the Middle East.
Parents will experience a bespoke, compassionate and unbiased service from the team. Their comprehensive package includes finding the right school, dealing with admissions and gaining a place. You also get practical help with relocating to another country. Other services that they offer include arranging for a guardian service, tutoring, external extra-curricular activities that may not be offered by the school, as well as educational psychologists, counsellors and therapists.
parkerhamiltonconsulting@gmail.com
parkerhamilton.co.uk
The Reading Specialists – reading intervention programmes
We all want our children to thrive at school and develop a love for language. However, reading and spelling can sometimes be a real source of frustration for both children and parents. Thankfully, the highly qualified and growing team at The Reading Specialists are skilled at turning challenges into achievements.
This trusted literacy support practice helps people of all ages through diverse and complex challenges. During the initial session, a reading specialist will assess your child, pinpoint specific weaknesses and recommend a programme tailored to their needs. Focus areas may include phonics and phonemic awareness skills, reading accuracy and fluency, working with irregular words, vocabulary development, spelling mastery and comprehension strategies.
This personalised support, along with engaging content and positive behaviour practices, builds confidence and a love of literacy, proving that with the right approach and programmes, reading difficulties arising from things like dyslexia, or simply just falling behind in reading, can be overcome.
Treatment sessions can be held at The Reading Specialists’ offices, online via Zoom, or at the international schools they partner with. Get in touch with the team for a free consultation.
A client’s testimonial:
“My daughter has been working with Kristy Jones (founder and senior reading specialist) for a number of years now. It’s incredible to consider where we started and where we are now. It’s had such a profound impact on my daughter’s literacy capabilities. Of course, it hasn’t been an easy journey. It takes time, knowledge, patience and trust. I would recommend The Reading Specialists to any parent who has concerns about their child’s reading or literacy. The sooner you start, the better, making it easier on everyone, most importantly your child.” – Mum, Australian
#06-01/06 Regus Offices, United Square, 101 Thomson Road
8799 6081 | admin@thereadingspecialists.org | thereadingspecialists.org
The Winstedt School – learning support educators
The Winstedt School aims to prioritise student wellbeing and foster an inclusive learning environment for neurodivergent learners. It has established a comprehensive, evidence-based and effective model of support for all of its students. This combines Integrated Therapy and pastoral care with an innovative education model embedded in all school routines. Occupational Therapy (OT) and Speech and Language Therapy are provided every week as ‘push-ins’ during unstructured times throughout the school day. Counselling and emotional regulation is provided both in class and during group times.
Students receive therapy support in small groups in areas such as social skills, Social Thinking, language skills, conversation skills and Executive Functioning. At Winstedt’s OT gyms, students also develop their fine and gross motor skills through goal-based games and activities in small groups with focused therapy goals.
The school supports students with learning difficulties including autism, dyslexia, ADHD, dyspraxia and academic anxiety. Small class sizes allow Winstedt educators to deliver highly personalised teaching and create personalised learning experiences. Additionally, the school’s British mainstream curriculum is delivered in an individualised way to meet student needs. One-on-one learning support programmes in Literacy, Maths and English as an Additional Language are also available for those who need it. Students are also supported by a high educator-to-student ratio, inclusive of dedicated SEN teachers, behavioural therapists and bi-weekly Social and Emotional Learning classes for all students.
What’s more, Winstedt offers parent training and workshops on topics such as Perspective-Taking, Essential Life and Communication Skills for Senior School and Beyond, and Self-Advocacy. The parent support group series, called Parents Uplift Each Other, utilises Winstedt’s parent community to be a resource for one another.
1208 Upper Boon Keng Road
6715 5373 | info@winstedt.edu.sg
winstedt.edu.sg
Dynamics Therapy Group – special needs education in Singapore
Dynamics Therapy Group understands that children encounter a myriad of issues that can be overwhelming, and the unique difficulties parents face with these issues. The group’s distinct approach acknowledges parental struggles by crafting individualised solutions via a personalised pathway to ensure rapid results. Their therapies empower children and their parents to overcome the barriers they face, from learning and neurological challenges like ADHD, autism, dyslexia and learning disabilities to speech and language disorders and delay, stuttering, feeding and swallowing issues and picky eaters. They also address occupational therapy needs, encompassing fine and gross motor skills, handwriting, sensory integration and Developmental Coordination Disorder.
The specifically tailored range of services for young learners include:
- Speech therapy to help children communicate effectively
- Occupational therapy for young ones to develop essential life skills such as handwriting, sensory processing and executive functioning
- Education therapy tailored to support academic progress and address learning differences such as dyslexia and dyscalculia
- Social skills training to equip children with the skills to build meaningful relationships and navigate social situations
- An Early Intervention Programme ensuring young children receive the specialised attention they need for optimal development
- Dynamics International School, which provides individualised education for both mainstream children and those who require special education
- Psychological counselling and assessments by expert psychologists for diagnostic assessments, recommendations and intervention for children and their families
- Physiotherapy for physical wellbeing and to promote mobility
- Parent support groups based on the challenges they’re facing
- Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) focusing on positive behaviour reinforcement to help children with learning and developmental challenges
The Dynamics team believe that every child deserves to thrive, regardless of their learning differences. With their comprehensive range of services and commitment to personalised care, they aim to empower children and their families on the journey towards a brighter future.
#07-02 Forum The Shopping Mall, 583 Orchard Road
6100 9235 | WhatsApp 9380 6207 | inquiry@dynamics.com.sg
dynamics.com.sg
The GUILD International College – special needs education and learning support programmes in Singapore
The GUILD is a small, fully inclusive educational institution that celebrates and accepts neurodiverse students aged nine to 30 years of all abilities. Whether it’s ASD, ADHD, GDD, SPD, Down Syndrome or Cerebral Palsy, the College teaches students to their strengths. In the nurturing school environment, students get to be themselves.
The College places great emphasis on individual learning programmes with a personalised approach to meet students’ needs and develop into well rounded young adults. It offers two routes – Inclusive Education as well as Special Education. There are also special programmes, including Foundation, Pathways, Transition and Career Pathways Programmes, along with the newly launched Youth Activity Programme. Teams of school leaders, teachers, occupational therapists, speech therapists, clinical psychologists, counsellors, life coaches, job coaches and support staff work with families to set individual goals for a transition to further education, work, structured workplace, independent living or assisted living.
The campus boasts multifaceted facilities in line with the ideology of creating a space for sustainable education. Thee include an art and design studio, woodworking studio, DJ studio, filmmaking and photography studio, culinary studio, life skills room, multi-purpose hall, music studio, café and more. The sensory gym is a new addition, designed for enhancing sensory integration and motor skills development for the students.
The College is a part of Aspire Inclusive Education. This social enterprise collaborates with SG Enable to run work-readiness programmes to equip special education needs school graduates, in-employment individuals who want to upskill themselves, and people with disabilities who are looking to increase their chances of employability. Periodically, the College organises talks for parents on relevant topics such as speech and language, how to manage puberty, and inclusive education. Founder Jayne Nadarajoo is the current chair of SENIA Singapore, an association for inclusive education and advocacy.
318A Tanglin Road, Phoenix Park
6235 8240 | admissions@theguild.edu.sg
theguild.edu.sg
Melbourne International School – learning support programmes
Melbourne International School (MIS) is a small school offering a conducive learning environment to students from three to 12 years. Besides the Early Years and Years 1 to 5 programmes under the inclusive mainstream route, MIS also offers an alternative route for students suited for special education. These include students with ASD, ADHD, GDD, SPD, Down Syndrome as well as learning challenges such as dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyscalculia. The school caters to multiple intelligences, and has a differentiated learning and multi-sensory teaching approach that caters to the diverse nature of its students. Teachers utilise learning tools that cater to the auditory, visual as well as tactile learners. Each child follows their own individual learning plan, since each child is unique.
A multidisciplinary approach is used in collaboration with teachers, therapists and parents to ensure all areas of development are attended to. Teachers are supported by therapists in occupational therapy, speech and language therapy and clinical psychology. They also collaborate with specialist teachers in music, art and fitness. Such support allows teachers to constantly learn and apply the appropriate strategy for each child in the classroom.
The class ratio at MIS is one teacher to four to eight students, creating an environment where students feel psychologically safe and comfortable to learn. The school says that small class sizes make it easier for students to focus and work in small groups. In this way, there’s higher success in meeting all social and academic needs of each student, ensuring they have the opportunity to reach their fullest potential.
The school periodically organises talks for parents. Topics covered include inclusive education, and speech and language.
MIS is part of Aspire Inclusive Education. The social enterprise offers the School Readiness Early Intervention Programme. This is part of a complete offering for children who need a transition plan from therapy centre or home school to a wider school environment. It helps children on their path to independence and inclusion. Founder of MIS, Jayne Nadarajoo, is also the current chair of SENIA Singapore, an association for inclusive education and advocacy. MIS will celebrate its 10th anniversary in October this year.
75C Loewen Road
6634 8891 | enquiries@melis.edu.sg
melis.edu.sg
Dover Court International School (DCIS) – learning support educators
Dover Court International School (DCIS) is a British international school with inclusion at its heart. Part of Nord Anglia Education, DCIS welcomes students with diverse learning differences and needs by offering an extensive range of support to empower each individual to reach and exceed their potential. Catering to students aged three to 18, the school provides three bespoke learning pathways. Pathway 1 is the mainstream provision, offering a personalised classroom experience to all students. Pathways 2 and 3 give students increasing levels of support with smaller class sizes, an adapted curriculum and in-school therapy programmes. The school says that its learning approach aligns closely with the National Curriculum for England, with adaptations to meet the special education needs of students, whether it’s short-term intervention or more structured ongoing support.
DCIS personalises learning experiences, selecting the most appropriate curriculum pathway. In Pathways 2 and 3, students are supported by lessons tailored to meet individual needs. The aim is to offer support for learning differences in the most inclusive and least intrusive way. A combination of research-backed teaching methodology, a focus on pastoral relationships and regular communication with parents allow teachers to identify students who require additional support. A student-centred, collaborative problem-solving process is used; this involves parents, teachers, coordinators of special needs education in Singapore, external agencies, educational psychologists, counsellors and most importantly, the student.
The Dr Maureen Roach Building, named after Dover Court’s former principal, boasts classrooms specifically designed for the needs of the Pathway 3 students. It includes sensory and movement rooms and an extended outdoor learning space. Centrally located on the campus with easy access to playgrounds, sports facilities and the school garden, this space allows all students to grow and flourish.
301 Dover Road
6775 7664 | dovercourt.edu.sg
Bridging the Gap – learning support educators
Bridging the Gap was started by a mother whose prematurely-born child with developmental delays inspired her to provide holistic education for children with special needs. The centre is dedicated to helping students aged 18 months to 10 years overcome physical, cognitive, social and psychological challenges. The team says that their inclusive and tailored approach enhances a student’s learning journey. This enables them to bridge these gaps and reach their maximum potential.
The comprehensive range of services include early intervention, school readiness programmes, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, educational therapy and social skills training. To ensure an intensive and personalised learning experience, group sizes are kept at a teacher-student ratio of 1:3. Also fundamental to their philosophy is collaboration among teachers, therapists, parents and caregivers. This allows the centre to establish individualised goals for each child.
The campus includes a sensory-integrated gym and sensory play area to further enrich the unique curriculum. The constantly customised and maintained facilities work as effective resources to accommodate diverse learning preferences.
Bridging the Gap also offers an After-School care programme and Bullyproof programme. The After-School programme specifically supports students with special needs in mainstream education. It provides a safe and engaging environment for exploration, learning and socialisation. The programme includes Occupational Therapy support, Speech and Language Therapy support, Play Therapy, Emotional Regulation, Social Skills Training, and customised literacy and numeracy activities, along with guided homework assistance tailored to each child’s learning style.
The centre offers a four-week Immersion Programme to all students, before a full-term formal enrolment. Your child will be placed in a class with an early interventionist-student ratio of 1:2. During this period, they’ll be assessed on educational, speech and occupational learning. The team also observes and monitors children on physical, cognitive, social and psychological domains. At the end of the immersion, parents receive an Observation Report. The clinical director and early interventionist will have a consultative meeting to review the report. They’ll then create an individualised education plan for full enrolment.
- #03-24/25/26 Rochester Mall, 35 Rochester Drive
- #08-06 City Square Mall, 180 Kitchener Road
6909 2170 | sharewithus@bridgingthegap.com.sg
bridgingthegap.com.sg
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