Poon, Kenneth K.

Although preschool education for children aged six years and below is not compulsory in Singapore, about 99% of children attend at least one year of preschool in Singapore. Since their beginnings in the 1940s, preschools (kindergartens, child care centers, and infant care centers) have evolved and mushroomed all over Singapore, providing care and education services for young children and their families from different social and cultural backgrounds. Realizing that early childhood education (ECE) is essential and contributes to later development, learning and behavior, the government has introduced new policies, measures and initiatives to increase the number of preschools as well as improve the access, affordability and quality of ECE for all children in Singapore. The formation of the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) in 2013, and the setting up of the National Institute of Early Childhood Development (NIEC) in 2018 are two of the many important milestones in the development of ECE in Singapore. The ECE sector has undergone tremendous changes, especially in teacher education (teacher preparation and professional development). The ECDA has introduced several changes to enhance teacher education, including a training and career pathway to attract and retain good personnel in the ECE sector and improve teacher professionalism, work conditions and well-being.

Introduction: Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that is increasing in prevalence worldwide. There has been an exponential increase in autism-related research since 2010, when the first Singapore Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) on autism was published. Understanding of autism has since evolved to adopt a lifespan approach beyond that of a childhood condition. The aim of this CPG was to provide an updated set of recommendations for children and adolescents to aid clinical practice for professionals. Method: A multidisciplinary workgroup that comprised representatives from various sectors worked on this CPG. Clinical questions were organised into 10 different sections, each with its own subgroup of members. Seventeen existing international guidelines were evaluated using the Appraisal of Guidelines for REsearch & Evaluation II (AGREE-II) framework, of which 4 met criteria to act as references. Literature review across multiple databases was conducted between January 2011 to 2023; Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE-like) methodology was used to synthesise evidence. Recommendation statements were derived, following Delphi-style consensus surveys among the workgroup. The draft guidelines underwent external review and public consultation before being formalised. Results: Recommendation and good practice statements pertaining to care of children and adolescents on the autism spectrum across 10 different sections were developed. Evidence matrices complement these recommendations and detail relevant evidence behind each recommendation statement. Conclusion: It is intended for these guidelines to promote effective management and healthcare services for children and adolescents on the autism spectrum, by reinforcing good and evidence-based clinical practice within our national context.

The study investigates the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of elementary-aged children with developmental disabilities in Singapore, focusing on the influences of individual and family factors. Data from 113 students from special education schools was examined, with data collected from parents, teachers, and direct assessments of the children. The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) was used to measure HRQoL across four domains: physical, emotional, social, and school functioning. Results showed that children with developmental disabilities generally experience lower HRQoL compared to typically developing peers, with the social functioning domain presenting the greatest challenges. Executive functioning difficulties emerged as the most significant predictor of overall HRQoL, affecting all domains, particularly social and school functioning. Parental psychological well-being was also significantly associated with children's emotional functioning, highlighting the broader influence of family factors on children’s well-being. This study contributes to the literature by examining a broad-based sample in a multicultural Asian context. Results underscores the importance of addressing both child-specific challenges, such as executive functioning, and family-centered interventions to improve parental mental wellbeing. In the pursuit of positive quality of life for children with developmental disabilities across multiple domains, this study’s findings highlight the need for a multi-component approach. Limitations and future directions, including the use of proxy reports and the need for culturally relevant interventions, are discussed.

This book discusses the management of individuals on the autistic spectrum as well as other developmental challenges. It provides an excellent resource guide for parents, caregivers, educators, healthcare workers, psychologists, and everyone involved in the care of differently abled and autistic persons. The approach is practical, and the aim is to try to gain deeper understanding into these conditions. Based on the experience of the staff and parents of the Rainbow Centre, the management is a person-centred, multidisciplinary and quality-of-life focused approach to helping these persons. The book also covers the history and future directions across one's lifespan in the care of these individuals.

Much of early childhood care and education policies and practices worldwide have been informed by a knowledge base derived from longitudinal studies of child outcomes in the United States, United Kingdom and other countries in the Northern hemisphere. There is an urgent need to acknowledge that research on young children in Singapore (as much as in other Asian contexts) needs to be supported by indigenous research to validate measures developed and normed elsewhere, and to verify and ascertain the factors that influence children’s developmental pathways across culturally diverse contexts. This pilot study, thus, set out to trial a selection of child measures, as well as design and pilot a parent survey that aims to yield useful baseline data on how families in Singapore are raising their 4-to-5-year-olds in this particular climate of academic pursuit and educational competition.

While there has been growing theoretical and policy interest in the areas of home-school partnership and inclusive education, relatively little work has linked the two fields. Where there have been studies, these have focused primarily on parent or school perspective. With inclusive education in its nascent stage in Singapore, this study examines the different roles emerging from home and school as well as factors underpinning this partnership. Data was drawn from interviews with 13 parents and 30 school staff. Our findings indicate that home-school partnership is a work in progress that is continually subject to home and school dynamics. The expectations and perceptions of parents and educators must be taken into consideration if the partnership is to succeed and sustain. Support from the wider community creates a synergy which reinforces home-school partnership and increases the visibility of children with disabilities by turning a private concern into a shared societal issue.