Provision of and Subsidy for Personal Tracking Devices for Caregivers of Children with Autism under Assistive Technology Fund

Mr Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat asked the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) whether personal tracking devices, such as Apple AirTags, qualify for subsidies under the Assistive Technology Fund; (b) if so, how many caregivers of children with autism obtained such devices in each of the last three years; and (c) whether the Ministry will proactively provide a starter device upon diagnosis via early-intervention centres.

The Assistive Technology Fund (ATF) supports eligible persons with disabilities (PwDs) in purchasing assistive devices for the purposes of early intervention, education, employment, therapy, rehabilitation and independent living. To date, we have not received any applications for personal tracking devices from PwDs. Such devices can be supported under ATF as they enable persons with autism to live independently.

Persons with autism and their caregivers may utilise different types of personal tracking devices, such as global positioning system tracking watches or air tags, depending on their preferences.

As the decision to utilise such tracking devices rests with caregivers, we will not proactively provide such devices to children with autism via early intervention centres.