SPED

The first thing to know: SPED is not a step down. Since 2019, compulsory education in Singapore includes government-funded SPED schools — they are national schools, and attending one fully meets your child’s right to an education. The question is fit, not rank.

The second thing: an autism diagnosis does not automatically rule out mainstream school. MOE lists mild autism spectrum disorder among the conditions mainstream primary schools are set up to support. What decides it is whether your child can access the national curriculum in a mainstream environment with support — judged through professional assessment where there are concerns.

SPED schools are run by social service agencies and funded by MOE. Several of the organisations in this dictionary run them: Pathlight School (ARC), the Rainbow Centre schools, and CPAS School.

If school fees are a strain, SPED FAS is the financial assistance scheme for Singapore-Citizen students in government-funded SPED schools.