Waiting Time for Assessment of Children and Youths with Disabilities

Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef asked the Minister for Social and Family Development what is the current waiting time for children and youths with disabilities such as speech disabilities, dyslexia and autism to get their assessments carried out, both in the public/Government as well as private sectors.

Under the Child Development Programme, paediatricians at KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH) and National University Hospital (NUH) provide diagnosis and assessment for children aged six years and below who are referred for developmental problems. The median wait time in 2014 for an initial assessment by a doctor for subsidised patients was 18 days at KKH and 40 days at NUH.

Children identified with developmental delays will be referred to the MSF-funded programmes for therapy and learning services, depending on the severity of their conditions. Those with milder developmental delays are assisted through a programme called the Development Support Programme offered in 300 mainstream preschools. These children typically receive intervention services within three to four weeks of being identified. Those at risk of moderate to severe disabilities can receive early intervention services at 17 MSF-funded centres operated by Voluntary Welfare Organisations (VWOs). In 2014, the average time taken for referral, assessment for placement and eventual enrolment was about five months.

With greater awareness and earlier diagnosis, there is growing demand for early intervention services for young children. MSF will continue to develop a continuum of early intervention services and expand their capacity to meet the different needs of these children in a timely manner.

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For children above the age of six, KKH and NUH provide diagnostic services for a range of developmental disabilities such as Autism and speech and language delays, while Institute of Mental Health (IMH) provides assessment for Autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). In 2014, the average waiting time for subsidised patients was between one week to two months.

Students in our mainstream schools can also be referred for assessment and diagnosis conducted by MOE psychologists. Such referrals are prioritised jointly between the school and the MOE psychologist based on the urgency and severity of the child’s needs. Waiting time for diagnosis, therefore, vary.

Students with disabilities who are of school-going age can receive assistance for their education through their Special Education (SPED) schools or at their mainstream schools.