Diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome amongst National Servicemen

Mr Zainal Sapari asked the Minister for Defence (a) how many of our total full-time and operationally-ready National Servicemen are diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome currently and under which Physical Employment Standards (PES) category are they classified; (b) for each of the past five years, how many male Singaporeans or Permanent Residents diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome have been enrolled into National Service upon reaching eligibility age and under which PES category have they been classified; and (c) what are the professional support and facilities put in place to provide an environment conducive for the training of our National Servicemen with Asperger's syndrome.

There are currently 41 full-time National Servicemen and 61 Operationally-Ready National Servicemen with Asperger's Syndrome. They were either diagnosed with this condition before enlistment or during full-time National Service when they were referred to the SAF psychiatrist for behavioural issues.

Over the five-year period from 2007-2011, a total of 55 pre-enlistees diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome were enlisted into full-time National Service. The number each year ranged from five to 15 and were assigned the appropriate Physical Employment Standards (PES) based on their ability to function socially and carry out vocational duties. They are usually assigned PES C or lower.

To enable SAF servicemen with Asperger's Syndrome to be meaningfully engaged and contribute during their full-time National Service, SAF psychiatrists, psychologists and counsellors work closely with these servicemen and their unit commanders to equip them with inter-personal and vocational skills.