University of Ulster, Jordanstown (Northern Ireland) – Bachelor of Science (Occupational Therapy)

Niamh graduated from the University of Ulster with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy and has been living in Singapore for over 9 years. During this time, she has worked within a number of private clinics in Singapore, her roles include Clinic Manager of a centre based extensive MDT team and Lead Principal Occupational Therapist at Thomson Paediatric Centre. Niamh has vast Paediatric clinical experience working both in Ireland and Singapore. During Niamh’s practice she has worked with children with multiple developmental and physical needs. Niamh has clinically managed a caseload ranging in age, from infants to teenagers and young adults. This caseload has presented with various clinical needs including sensory processing difficulties, feeding challenges and various motor and learning challenges. Niamh is focused on a holistic therapy approach with a therapeutic focus on supporting a child’s social, emotional, and cognitive development. Niamh has conducted a number of presentations and trainings in Singapore at the SENIA and early childhood conferences, alongside various international/local schools, and polytechnics. Niamh has also provided a number of parent trainings and workshops.

Niamh believes that children, parents, and paediatric providers must work together as a team to provide excellent paediatric healthcare. To ensure that children are provided with the best care possible, it is her passion to remain current with the latest paediatric developments and approaches to children's health.

Ayres Sensory Integration

Neuro-Developmental Treatment (NDT)

Certified DIRFloortime Provider

SOS feeding

Beckman Oral Motor

MORE Feeding

Reflex integration

Rhythmical Movement Training

Learn to Play (Karen Stagnetti)

Interactive Metronome

Therapeutic Listening

Trauma Informed Intervention

Attention Autism

DMI Certified

Trinity College Dublin – Bachelor of Science (Occupational Therapy)

Nora graduated from Trinity College Dublin with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy. She began her occupational therapy career working in an acute hospital setting working in areas such as stroke, general medicine, and oncology. Nora also has experience working in the area of community mental health, where she was part of a diverse multi-disciplinary team. Her role in this setting included working on life skills with adolescents and young adults, to facilitate them to live independently in the community.

Nora is committed to providing a holistic, family-focused therapy service for her clients. This approach enables her to work collaboratively with the child and their family, and ensure the goals and interventions being completed are those that are important to everyone involved.

Co-Op (Cognitive Orientation to Occupational Performance)

Attention Autism

Recovery Through Activity intervention

DMI Certified

Glasgow Caledonian University - Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy

Nanyang Polytechnic - Diploma with Merits in Occupational Therapy

Monica graduated from Glasgow Caledonian University with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy. She has over 8 years of experience as an Occupational Therapist in Singapore. She began her career working in an acute hospital and subsequently in the community with extensive rehabilitation experience in general medicine, geriatric medicine, orthopaedics and neurology. In her practice in community based neurological rehabilitation, she has experience working with clients from a wide age range and with complex physical, sensory, cognitive and psychosocial needs. Monica is a strong advocate for person-centred practice and empowerment of persons with disabilities, she has contributed as a speaker in numerous training events including events organised by the Singapore Association of Occupational Therapists (SAOT) and the Postgraduate Allied Health Institute (PAGHI).

As an Occupational Therapist, Monica strongly believes in providing best-practice care that is holistic and client-centred. She believes in helping children reach their best potential while ensuring that their overall well-being remains a priority. She believes in taking a collaborative approach with children, caregivers and all members of the care team to provide a supportive and optimal environment for children to learn and achieve meaningful goals.

University of Limerick, Ireland – Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (PQ)

University of Monash, Australia – Master of Education in Early Childhood Education

Born and raised in Singapore, Laila attended both international and local education systems, before undertaking tertiary education overseas. She completed her Diploma in Early Childhood Education in NP and has taught in various preschools since 2009. Covering a range of services from childcare to international preschool, in schools such as Swiss School in Singapore, Whitelodge and Etonhouse. She has also worked in an adjunct role with NIEC, providing supervision and support to trainee preschool teachers.

Working in these various settings and meeting children with a range of needs, Laila felt compelled to improve her skills to support a wider range of needs. Entering the world of occupational therapy, Laila developed her clinical experience in Ireland working in stroke acute/rehab and geriatric hospital settings, focusing on assessing needs, and providing interventions to increase independence and safety in the home, with a view to improving mental health in clients. She also worked with CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) and Dyspraxia DCD Ireland, working with adolescents towards functional goals to achieve potential, specifically in the areas of mental health coping skills, executive functioning, organisation skills and self-help skills.

Upon graduating and returning to Singapore, Laila returned to working with younger children by joining an EIP as an OT. In this paediatric setting, Laila ran individual and group therapy sessions, meeting children with a range of developmental and physical needs. Working towards goals in a multi-disciplinary team, interventions addressed various clinical needs such as sensory processing difficulties, school readiness and physical motor challenges. Throughout, Laila collaborated with parents, providing support through conversations, home programs and strategies for the home.

Laila believes that children learn best through play and exploration, and that their emotional state is important to the process. Ensuring children feel comfortable and safe, their inner curiosity will blossom, supporting them to open up to new experiences and learning. As an Occupational Therapist, Laila believes in a strengths-based and holistic approach, supporting children to feel success whilst addressing challenges. Utilising a collaborative approach with the children, caregivers, therapists and educators, to provide a positive, safe and supportive environment with aligned goals that are important to all involved.

DMI Certified

La Trobe University (Melbourne, Australia) - Bachelor of Health Sciences and Master of Occupational Therapy Practice

Prior to arriving in Singapore, Kacey worked closely with children and their families to implement home-based early intervention programmes for clients with developmental delays, cerebral palsy and autism spectrum disorders. Throughout this work experience, Kacey emphasized using a collaborative approach with the parents, caregivers, teachers, and therapists to support and optimize the development and functional abilities of the child.

During her occupational therapy training, Kacey also gained experience working with a range of clients, from children to older adults, in different settings such as hospitals, schools, private practices and the community rehabilitation centre, in which she committed to providing strength-based, holistic and family-centered care to all her clients. Through working in various multi-disciplinary teams, Kacey provided a range of services such as family education, sensory processing interventions, individual and group therapy, enabling every client to achieve their meaningful occupational goals.

Upon graduating, she also collaborated with Occupational Therapists in Melbourne and Doctors at a top hospital in Vietnam to conduct a project regarding raising community awareness about the scope of OT practice in the paediatric setting. Apart from gaining valuable knowledge, this project has further developed her skills in delivering a culturally competent practice to clients from diverse backgrounds.

Kacey believes that every child is different with their unique strengths, abilities and interests and that occupational therapy should be tailored holistically to meet clients' specific needs. As such, her principle when working with children includes creating an encouraging, supportive and fun environment to enable each child to reach their maximum potential. Building rapport and developing a trusting relationship with every young client through her caring personality and positivity is another essential objective that Kacey strives to achieve daily.

La Trobe University

Felicia graduated from La Trobe University in Melbourne and has gained extensive clinical and teaching experience while working in a public hospital in Singapore. She has worked with clients with a wide range of communication and swallowing difficulties, and specialized in Geriatric Care.

Felicia also greatly enjoys working with children, and is enthusiastic about supporting learning through play. She believes in empowering parents and caregivers to help every child reach their full potential, and strives to adopt a family-centred and holistic approach to all her clients.

Flinders University - Masters in Speech Pathology

Thivya graduated from Flinders University, South Australia with a Masters of Speech Pathology. She also completed her bachelor’s degree in Psychology at the National University of Singapore (NUS). Thivya has vast experience working with both adults and children in Australia and Singapore. She has worked in stroke rehabilitation, with adults who have Aphasia as well as swallowing difficulties. Currently, her work focuses on school going children, who present with speech and language difficulties secondary to learning needs, Autism, Dyslexia and Global Developmental Delay. Her core experience includes intervention for Dyspraxia, Articulation Disorders and Language delay/disorder. Thivya has conducted group intervention, tele-therapy and mobile therapy services in clients’ homes and schools.

Thivya believes in advocating for her clients so that they have a voice to speak. Communicating, be it through actions, pictures, words, can be very empowering for anyone especially children who are still learning and developing skills in these areas. She also believes in educating teachers and parents/caregivers so that as a holistic team, the best support can be rendered to the child. Having worked with the aboriginal community in Australia, she also demonstrates inclusiveness and cultural sensitivity in her practice. Apart from work, Thivya also has a passion for children and spends time volunteering to teach students academic subjects and enjoys playing with her baby cousins.

Thivya has attended trainings on Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) and the Noah’s Ark Keyworker Course – which focuses on client-centred practice. Recently, she also attended the Emergenetics Training to promote better working practices in a team.

National University of Singapore – MSc Speech & Language Pathology

Eugenia graduated from the National University of Singapore with a Master of Science in Speech and Language Pathology. Prior to that, she attained her Bachelor of Arts (honours) degree in English Language and Linguistics from King’s College London. She has experience working with children (early intervention, primary school) with speech and language needs in the community and in private settings in both Singapore and London, including children with developmental delays and on the Autism Spectrum. She is currently under supervision for full registration with the Allied Health Professions Council (AHPC).

Eugenia is passionate about helping children achieve their full potential to communicate their needs and wants and believes in taking a holistic and collaborative approach to therapy. She enjoys the challenge of finding the best way to support each individual through play, with the recognition that each child is unique and has their own strengths.

University of Limerick, Ireland - Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy

After graduating Sinead moved to Singapore where she worked for 2 years in school based early intervention with 0-6 year old children with Neuro physical And developmental delays. Sinead then went on to complete over 3 years in an acute hospital. In 2018 Sinead returned to work in paediatrics in a private setting where she got to work and train in the application of therasuit and neurosuit, spidercage therapy and Cuevas Medek Exercises (CME).

In 2021 Sinead made the decision to return to Ireland with her family, where she continued to work in paediatrics private practice. Being Ireland’s first CME therapist, Sinead worked in introducing this ground breaking therapy to families and therapists. Sinead assisted in setting up individualised intensives for clients and implementing intensives during school holidays.

Sinead strives to empower children to reach their maximum potential and believes that every milestone is a big milestone. Sinead also knows that motivation is important for participation and does her best to understand each child and get to know their personal interests and goals to help them achieve greater function.

Vestibular rehabilitation in adults

Cuevas Medek Exercises certified

Therasuit method and spidercage therapy

DMI certified

University of Sydney – Masters of Education (Special Education)

Humboldt State University (California) – Bachelor of Psychology

Manjula graduated from the University of Sydney with a Masters of Education. Her career has seen her working in the area of Early Intervention in various countries from Sri Lanka to Australia. In the last few years, she has worked in Singapore within in the private sector as a manager and teacher in Early Intervention Programmes.

Manjula is accredited by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA). She is a member of SENIA (Singapore chapter), Community Childcare Cooperative (Australia) and the Association for Early Childhood Educators (AECES-Singapore).

Manjula’s experience working with children of diverse needs within various communities and countries has instilled in her the importance of working in partnership with families. She uses play, inquiry, and interest-based teaching to help children learn holistically.

DIRFloortime (101)

Social Thinking Curriculum

Supporting Sensory Needs in the Classroom

Attention Autism

Liverpool John Moores University - Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Primary - with SEN)

University of Ulster (Northern Ireland) - Bachelor of Science in Sports Coaching

Anita graduated from Liverpool John Moores University with a Postgraduate Certificate in Education. Over her career, Anita has taught in various settings of Educational needs in England and Australia. For the last three years, Anita had been based in an Autistic Specialist School in Melbourne.

Anita believes every child can build a love for learning and become independent lifelong learners. She uses a student-centred approach and works closely with families to help children reach their goals and their full potential.

Deakin University – Bachelor of Applied Science (Psychology)

Suresh graduated from Deakin University with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Psychology. He has been working as Special Needs Teacher since 2005.

Suresh believes that every child has strengths and difficulties that are unique to them and when working with them, he does his best to understand what they are. Together with his team, Suresh works towards building and expanding the children’s strengths and finding optimal ways that they can manage and overcome their difficulties.

Developmental Play Foundation Course 2020

Handling Sensory Issues Workshop 2020

Early Start Denver Model Introduction Course Workshop 2021

Attention Autism 2022

Active Learning in Future-Oriented Education 2022

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor USA – Degree in Psychology

Germaine graduated from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor with a Degree in Psychology. Upon graduation, she started working with children with special needs aged 2 – 6 years old, particularly individuals on the Autism Spectrum. She has gained experience in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) for the past few years both in the United States and in Singapore. During her years of teaching, she has worked with children of varying developmental profiles.

Germaine has a strong interest in working with younger individuals with special needs and believes that there is so much potential for each child. She believes in teaching so that each child has a chance to learn and grow in the best way they can!

Registered Behaviour Technician with BACB

Attention Autism

Active Learning in Future Oriented Education

• Nanyang Technological University (NIE)- Masters of Education: (Developmental Psychology)
• University of Wollongong -Bachelor of Science: (Psychology)

Meet Andy, an experienced education professional with a Master's degree in Developmental Psychology. With almost a decade of experience working as a Special Needs Educator, Andy's expertise in catering to the needs of children aged 36 months-21 years is unmatched.

Andy has transitioned to an international school where he provided classroom observations and ensured that over 3000 students received the best possible support and resources. He worked closely with teachers, educational psychologists, and counsellors to develop individualized plans, enabling students to meet their unique needs and achieve their full potential.

Andy's philosophy of working with children is deeply rooted in empathy, respect, and effective communication. Recognizing the uniqueness of each child, Andy strives to create a nurturing and inclusive environment where every child feels valued and supported. Communication serves as the cornerstone of Andy's approach, as they understand that meltdowns and dysregulation often stem from communication breakdowns. By validating children's emotions and ensuring they feel understood, Andy bridges this gap and empowers them to express their needs and emotions in a healthy and constructive manner. In addition to academic needs, Andy places equal importance on addressing children's emotional, social, and physical well-being. Through a comprehensive approach, Andy develops individualized plans that cater to each child's specific requirements, fostering their overall development and helping them reach their full potential. Collaborating closely with teachers, parents, and professionals involved in a child's journey, Andy establishes strong partnerships and maintains open lines of communication to create an integrated support system.

• Masters of Education: (Developmental Psychology), Nanyang Technological University (NIE)
• Bachelor of Science: (Psychology), University of Wollongong
• Certificate Of Competence In Educational Testing
• Assessor’s Certificate Test User- Ability Educational (The British Psychological Society)
• Assessor’s Certificate Assistant Test User- Educational Test Administration (The British Psychological Society)
• Certificate of the Orton-Gillingham approach (Dyslexia), MSL Consultancy Pte Ltd (Singapore)
• Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)
• Introduction to Discrete Trial Training (Part 1 & 2)
• Supporting the Development of Functional Communication
• Handling Puberty Issues in Autism
• Certificate in Autism
• Play In Autism 101
• Working with Adolescents and Young Adults with Autism
• Fundamentals of Autism
• Supporting the Development of Functional Communication in Children

James Cook University – Bachelor of Science (Psychology)

Zoey graduated from the James Cook University of Singapore with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She has also attained a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and is an experienced Special Needs Teacher. Zoey has worked with centres in Singapore as an Early Intervention Teacher to provide special education and support for children with additional needs.

Zoey believes in working closely with families of her students. From her experiences, she consciously puts in the effort to be flexible and adaptable in her teaching to help children learn and develop to their fullest potential.

Attention Autism

National Institute of Education, NTU- Masters in Education (Special Education)

James Cook University, Singapore - Bachelor of Arts (Psychology)

Nithya is a trained Educational Therapist with over 8 years of onsite experience working with students with Specific Learning Disorders. She is very passionate about this field and wants to help her students to the best of her ability. Since 2014, she has worked with children ranging from 7 to 17 years old, in both individual as well as group settings. The children she had worked with had a range of comorbidities atop the specific learning disorders (Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Dyspraxia etc), like Attention deficit disorder (ADD), Attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), General Development Disorder (GDD), selective mutism, executive dysfunction, slower working memory and much more.

Nithya is a skilled and trained Orton Gillingham practitioner, using the approach to design and execute lesson plans for a variety of children who may need a range of services for their phonemic, phonological, reading, spelling, writing, comprehension and morphological challenges.

Nithya believes that doing well academically goes beyond just academics. To have true learning, there must be a focus on the child, holistically. Their self-esteem and their social skills also play a part in their learning. To allow them to explore their interests and to allow that to lead their own learning as well.

She believes that working on small successes usually means a lot to the children and that builds their confidence want to try more difficult things down the line. She also believes in providing a safe space for these children to explore, discover and learn, both physically and mentally. She constantly strives to be an educator who encourages learning through multiple avenues, who can be a pillar of support as well as to be a guide for them in their learning journey.

National Institute Early Childhood Development (NIEC)

Iylia graduated from NIEC with an Advanced Diploma in Early Childhood Intervention (Special Needs). Iylia has worked in Early Intervention Centres as a Lead Teacher to provide intervention for children with additional needs. She has experience teaching in an Inclusive Preschool in Singapore where she worked as an Assistant Teacher before being promoted to Lead English Teacher.

Iylia believes that every child is unique and has the ability to excel. She hopes that she is able to bring out the best in every child that she meets.

Jolly Phonics

Singapore Sign Language (Level 1)

AEPS Interrater Reliability Certification for Three to Six Years

College of Allied Educators (Diploma in Learning Difficulty Management and Child Psychology)

Amen has been working as a private tutor for children with special needs for over 8 years. She has worked with children aged between 3-12 years. In those years, she has worked with children with different disabilities including ASD (Autism), Dyslexia, GDD (Global Development Delay) and ADHD. She uses different methods to try and keep lessons as engaging as possible for the children. Amen aims to bring that creativity into the classroom in KidsFirst and give the students a memorable time while teaching them simultaneously.

Amen strongly believes that all children deserve the best. Every child is unique in their own way, and it is up to teachers like herself, to think out of the box to ensure that they reach their full potential. Parents should constantly be updated on their child’s progress. This enables both parents and teachers to work together to provide the optimal support and growth for the child.

Diploma in Learning Difficulty Management and Child Psychology

Temasek Polytechnic – Diploma in Early Childhood Studies

Ngee Ann Polytechnic – Advanced Diploma in Special Needs

Sophia graduated from Temasek Polytechnic with a Diploma in Early Childhood Studies and further pursued an Advanced Diploma in Special Needs at Ngee Ann Polytechnic. She has experience working as an Early Interventionist and was the case manager for children aged 2-6 years old with wide range of disabilities of moderate to high support needs. Sophia has special interest working with children with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD) and their families. She carried out activity-based intervention together with the support of a multidisciplinary team and their families.

Sophia believes in allowing each child’s ‘voice’ to shine through and to celebrate the everyday achievements in their life.

Learn to Play (Karen Stagnetti)

University of Wollongong

Clarissa graduated with a degree in Psychological Science at the University of Wollongong. Over the span of her course, Clarissa worked in various school settings such as student care centres, counselling centres, and early intervention programme and therapy centres.

Clarissa believes that every child has potential and will always have the ability to progress. Hence, her aim is to always understand every child she meets and ensure that each child has a safe space to uniquely communicate their needs.

Management And Science University College Sarawak – Diploma in Education (English Language Teaching)

Priscilla graduated from Management and Science University College Sarawak with a Diploma in Education. She has experience working as Early Intervention Assistant at a private early intervention centre and was one of the teachers for students aged 2-6 years old. She has worked on the developmental, health and support needs of young children diagnosed with Autism, Down Syndrome, Learning Disabilities, Global Development delay, and Speech delay.

Teaching people with special needs is close to Priscilla’s heart as she has family members who have needs. She believes that every child is unique and has their own way to develop.

Special Needs Workshop 2022