Forum: Understanding autism must be matched by early support

We welcome The Straits Times’ new The Spectrum series and the deeper conversation on autism it is fostering in Singapore (We are more aware of autism, but how well do we understand it?; and Going beyond tackling misconceptions about autism, both published on Aug 5).

We write as clinicians from the Child Development Unit (CDU) at the National University Hospital (NUH). The articles’ central question, whether understanding has kept pace with awareness, resonates strongly with our clinical experience.

This is especially given that our understanding of effective intervention and holistic care for those with autism continues to evolve globally. Evidence-based approaches such as the Early Start Denver Model, which has been implemented at NUH, have demonstrated benefits for language and cognitive development in young children. Such interventions have the potential to substantially improve long-term outcomes for our children.

Early identification in autism matters precisely because, as the articles note, subtler presentations are often missed until children are older. Importantly, intervention can make a meaningful difference.

A recent NUH CDU study published in June 2026 found that young children with developmental delays associated with autism improved in communication following early intervention. Separately, an NUH CDU-led study of over 5,300 children screened between 2020 and 2022 found an autism prevalence of 1 per cent among 18-month-olds, with 2 per cent screening positive and requiring diagnostic evaluation. These findings are consistent with other studies and highlight the need for accessible developmental and diagnostic services.

As awareness grows, a key challenge in Singapore and elsewhere is ensuring that diagnostic, intervention and support services can meet demand sustainably. This will require close collaboration among stakeholders across healthcare, community intervention providers and educational institutions, as well as services supporting autistic individuals through adolescence and adulthood. Families, who are often their strongest advocates, are also critical partners in this effort.

Meeting these needs will draw on the collective efforts of clinicians, educators, therapists, researchers and community organisations. By working together, we can translate greater awareness into meaningful outcomes.

We are encouraged by the growing discussion on autism in Singapore, and look forward to the continued conversations on how best to support individuals with autism and their families throughout life.

Aishworiya Ramkumar, Senior Consultant
Kang Ying Qi, Senior Consultant
Child Development Unit
Khoo Teck Puat-National University Children’s Medical Institute
National University Hospital