For children with mild to moderate autism who are in mainstream schools, special-needs officers have been recruited, trained and deployed to provide 'in-school' support to pupils since 2004.

For children with autism who are unable to cope with the demands of mainstream education, MOE and NCSS have made it a priority to ensure that adequate places are provided to meet demand in Sped schools.

Between 2001 and 2006, MOE and NCSS have engaged more Sped schools to offer classes for autistic children. Three autism-specific schools have also been set up: Pathlight School in 2004, Singapore Autism School in 2005 and St Andrew's Autism School in 2006.

Currently, there are classes for children with autism in 16 Sped schools and the three autism-specific schools, catering to some 1,200 pupils with autism. There is physical capacity for some 300 more pupils and this will increase to 950 when the redevelopment works at the three autism-specific schools are completed in 2010.

The Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports and NCSS provide funding support to defray the costs of the Early Intervention Programme for Infants and Children (Eipic) and additional financial help has also been made available through the recently announced Eipic Support Grant to families who need it. Parents may apply directly to the Eipic service operators for the grant.

For more information on disability services, parents and the public may log onto the Disability Portal at www.disability.org.sg, or call the Disability Information and Referral Centre (DIRC) helpline on 1800-347-2222.

Sum Chee Wah (Ms)
Director, Education Programmes
Ministry of Education

Tina Hung (Ms)
Deputy Chief Executive Officer
National Council of Social Service