Consolidation and Enhancement of Autism Practices and Intervention Strategies

Consolidation and Enhancement of Autism Practices and Intervention Strategies

Since its founding 25 years ago, the Autism Association (Singapore) has been constantly assessing the evolving needs in the autism landscape and to adapt its programme and services accordingly. This included starting the Eden Children’s Centre (Simei) (formerly known as Autism Children's Centre (Simei)) in 2004, in response to meet a pressing need for Early Intervention (EI) services in the east of Singapore.

Over the last few years, the Association has been aligning its EI programme with its sister organisation, Autism Resource Centre (Singapore) (ARC(S)), in order to deliver on its goal of providing a consistent EI framework of autism best practices and intervention to the autism community.

On 31 December 2018, the Association will discontinue the operations of Eden Children’s Centre (Simei). This decision is based on the Association’s strategy to focus on meeting the changing demographics and needs of the autism community. Thus, the consolidation to enhance its programmes and service delivery to better serve the autism community.

“Consolidation will allow us to focus our energies and resources to address other areas of need,” says Ms Paula Teo, Senior Manager, Programmes and Services, Autism Association (Singapore). “The Association’s Early Intervention programme will continue to be delivered out of our Eden Children’s Centre (Clementi) as well as the ARC(S)’s WeCAN EIP at Ang Mo Kio.”

This consolidation highlights the Association’s approach to support individuals with autism and helping them lead meaningful and quality lives in society through leveraging a comprehensive continuum of care and network of services offered by ARC(S).

The Association is working with the Ministry of Social and Family Development, National Council of Social Service and SG Enable to help clients with the transition to ARC(S)’s WeCan EIP that offers the identical curriculum at Eden Children’s Centres, or to other EI centres in the east side of Singapore.

“Over the next few months, we will be working with the clients’ families and staff to make the transition process for our clients as smooth as possible. During this period, we will continue to maintain the level of service delivery to all our clients at the Eden Children’s Centre (Simei),” added Ms Teo.

“The Association is also extending support to all staff impacted and management has taken appropriate measures to support the affected staff during the transition of their employment preference within the Association, ARC(S) or other Social Service Organisations. Furthermore, the Association is also engaging with its partners, suppliers, vendors and other associates to support them during this period. 

 

Last modified on Friday, 21 December 2018 16:58