Special needs education & learning support

When it comes to support for kids with learning differences, there are choices available at early intervention centres as well as some international schools. Here are a few options that offer learning support programmes and special needs education to help navigate difficulties in learning, including dyslexia, ADHD, autism spectrum condition and more.

Psychology Blossom – tailored treatment programmes

Psychology Blossom believes every child’s mind works differently, and that difference, when understood well, becomes a strength. The early intervention centre supports children and families navigating learning differences such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, ADHD, autism spectrum condition and giftedness, through comprehensive psycho-educational assessments and ongoing therapeutic care.

Each assessment journey begins with a parent intake session, followed by cognitive, achievement and condition-specific testing tailored to the child’s needs. This often includes school observations and teacher consultations for a fuller picture. Families receive a detailed report and a feedback session that translates results into practical next steps for home and school. The centre also works closely with schools, tutors, and allied professionals to ensure recommendations translate into everyday support – the goal is to help every child understand their own mind and every parent to feel less alone in the process.

The centre’s therapy offerings help children build confidence, emotional regulation, and coping strategies alongside their learning journey. These include cognitive behavioural therapy and creative, sensory-friendly approaches for neurodivergent children.

About Dounia of Psychology Blossom

Child and adolescent psychologist Dounia holds a BSc in Psychology from the University of Nottingham and an MSc in Child and Adolescent Mental Health from University College London. She has several years of experience working with children and adolescents across clinical and therapeutic settings. Her earlier experience as a Behavioural Therapist provides a strong foundation in working directly with neurodivergent children and their families.

Dounia has trained in the evidence-based Tuning into Kids parenting programme, providing parenting support and psychoeducation. She regularly contributes to psychoeducational talks and workshops for schools, parents and students, and participates in panel discussions on topics relating to child and adolescent mental health. She also facilitates other parenting groups, including those supporting parents of children with ADHD.

150 Cecil Street, #07-02
8800 0554 | [email protected] | psychologyblossom.com 

Psych Connect – early intervention centre with individualised learning support programmes

Psych Connect is a multidisciplinary psychology and allied health clinic in Singapore, providing comprehensive assessment and evidence-based intervention for children and young people with learning, developmental and emotional needs.

What distinguishes Psych Connect is its integrated approach. Assessments go beyond diagnostic labels to understand the underlying processes affecting a child’s learning and functioning. Difficulties with reading, writing or academic performance, for example, may involve language, executive functioning, attention, motor, sensory or emotional factors. Identifying these allows intervention to target not only what a child is struggling with, but why.

Psych Connect’s team includes psychologists, occupational therapists, speech-language therapists and educational therapists trained in approaches including Orton-Gillingham and Lindamood-Bell. Working collaboratively with families and schools, the team develops individualised plans that build skills while supporting confidence, independence and meaningful participation in everyday life.

Services include comprehensive psychological and learning assessments, individual and group educational therapy, literacy and numeracy intervention, executive functioning support, ADHD coaching, occupational and speech-language therapy, therapeutic shadow support, and individualised early intervention for neurodivergent children.

Psych Connect is neurodiversity-affirming and family-centred, and believes the best outcomes occur when clinicians, families and schools work together around the whole child.

10 Winstedt Road, #03-12/13
6493 0244 | [email protected]
psychconnect.sg

WINGS Therapy & Learning Center – early intervention centre supporting diverse learning needs

WINGS believes every child deserves the right support to participate meaningfully at home, school and daily life. The family-run early intervention centre specialises in movement-based developmental programmes and adaptive fitness for babies, children and young adults with diverse developmental, movement and learning needs. Every learning support programme is individually designed based on the child’s abilities, participation goals and long-term development.

WINGS offers multidisciplinary intensive programmes that combine structured practice, movement-based learning and family involvement. The team draws from a range of internationally recognised methodologies and frameworks including Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI), Neurosuit and Therasuit methods, Neurodevelopmental Therapy principles, Functional Electrical Stimulation, Universal Exercise Unit activities, Autism Fitness, Adaptive Sports, whole-body vibration and more. These programmes focus on meaningful developmental outcomes such as head control, sitting, standing, balance, coordination, walking, participation, independence and everyday movement skills.

What sets WINGS apart is its Intensive Model of Therapy, an approach framework built on frequency, repetition and purposeful progression. Families also receive personalised home programmes designed to support consistency beyond sessions.

The centre has also expanded its services to support children at earlier stages of development through neonatal screenings for NICU graduates and premature babies. This helps families transition from hospital to home with guidance on movement, development and early milestones.  For example, developmental milestone check-ups are offered for babies aged four to 18 months, who may be showing signs of milestone delay. For older children, there are school readiness and independence programmes available that focus on practical everyday skills. These cover dressing, stair navigation, classroom participation, fine motor skills and functional independence to better support transitions into school environments.

A safe space for families seeking support for special needs education

Founded by the mother of a special needs child, WINGS was built from lived experience and a deep understanding of the emotional journey families often navigate. Parent support is woven throughout every programme, too. Families can ask questions, participate actively and build confidence alongside their child’s progress.

Many families describe this early intervention centre as a safe, understanding space where they feel heard, supported and connected with others walking similar journeys.

#05/07-01 Annexe Block, 1 Kay Siang Road
8690 4711 | [email protected] | wingstherapycenter

Singapore American School – diverse learning support programmes

At Singapore American School (SAS), the learning support programme is driven by a singular mission: eliminating barriers so that every student has full access to the school’s curriculum, content, and programming.

The approach is designed to support students with diverse learning and speech-language profiles. It focuses on identifying specific skill gaps and partnering with students to close them. Rather than changing what students learn, the school provides the strategic accommodations necessary to ensure complete access to the classroom experience. The goal is to help students understand their unique learning needs and equip them with the lifelong skills and behaviours required to thrive and work independently – academically, socially and emotionally.

To foster this independence, SAS provides a comprehensive continuum of support delivered by a multidisciplinary team. The dedicated learning support teachers, school counsellors, educational psychologists, speech-language pathologists, and other specialists collaborate to offer:

• Targeted academic and executive function interventions
• Comprehensive school counselling services
• Educational psychology services
• Speech-language evaluation and intervention

The school utilises a proactive, structured approach to identify where a student may be experiencing friction and provide the necessary support to bridge those gaps:

1. Deliver high-quality instruction for all students within the standard classroom environment.
2. Provide proactive screening to quickly identify any underlying difficulties or skill gaps.
3. Deliver targeted intervention services through individualised instruction or small group settings to actively build missing skills.
4. Conduct regular progress monitoring to track the student’s growth and journey toward independent learning.
5. Adjust interventions dynamically based on their effectiveness and the student’s evolving needs.

For students who require more intensive support, the school develops highly individualised plans. A dedicated case manager is assigned as the primary point of contact. This ensures seamless communication and a collaborative partnership among the student, their family and their classroom teachers.

Extending support to the school community

To support the community, school counsellors and support staff regularly host informational sessions on relevant educational topics for all parents. This is alongside targeted talks specifically designed for families utilising the school’s support services.

The school’s community also benefits from two parent-led inclusive support groups. The Parent Support for Mental Health and the Parents of Neurodivergent Students (PONDS) are open to all SAS families. They serve as vital, welcoming resources for parents to connect, share experiences and navigate their children’s educational journeys together.

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

Integrated International School – various special needs education options

Integrated International School (IIS) has sought to redefine 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 team of experienced learning support educators and support staff are highly equipped for assisting and nurturing students with a range of learning disorders and difficulties, including autism and ADHD. They help 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.

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’s parent association, the ‘Parent Squad’, aims is to foster a supportive community for parents of children with diverse learning needs. It offers a safe, inclusive space for parents to connect, share experiences and 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

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