Home-schooling a child with special educational needs in Singapore

Compulsory education covers children with SEN too. MOE says children with moderate to severe SEN can meet compulsory education by attending a government-funded SPED school.

MOE lists three grounds for exemption from compulsory education: approval to be home-schooled, attending a designated school, or being unsuitable for any national primary school because of a physical, intellectual or developmental disability.

Which route fits your child depends on their needs, so it is worth talking to MOE's Compulsory Education Unit early.

MOE's exemptions information sets out different conditions depending on your child's level of need:

• No SEN or mild SEN. The same conditions as for other home-schooled children: an academic learning plan for English, Mother Tongue, Mathematics and Science, a Character and Citizenship Education plan, the necessary qualifications, and sitting the PSLE.
• Moderate to severe SEN. An Individualised Education Plan (IEP) that sets out the curriculum you will use and the learning outcomes you want, and evidence that you have suitable qualifications to deliver it.

MOE has said that children with SEN who are home-schooled may follow either the mainstream or a special education curriculum, and that applications are assessed case by case.

A strong plan starts with your child as they are now. Gather reports from doctors, psychologists and therapists, and use them to describe your child's strengths, the areas they find hard and the support they need.

• Set realistic, specific goals for communication, literacy, numeracy, independence and social skills.
• Explain how you will teach each goal, including any therapy you will arrange and how often.
• Describe how you will track progress, for example with work samples, checklists and therapist reports.

This also gives you a working document to come back to every term.

Before deciding on home-schooling, it helps to understand what schools can offer.

• Mainstream primary schools. MOE says all mainstream primary schools are resourced to support students with mild SEN, including through SEN Officers who give in-class support and small-group help.
• SPED schools. These are for children with moderate to severe SEN or higher support needs. MOE says students receive specialised teaching and therapy support from professionals such as speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and psychologists.
• Applying to a SPED school. MOE's SPED application page explains who can apply and how. A social service agency or your child's early intervention centre can help with the application.

Some families combine approaches over time, for example home-schooling for a period and then moving to a school when the right place is available.

For preschool children, the Early Intervention Programme for Infants and Children (EIPIC) supports children with developmental needs to prepare for primary or special education school. ECDA says enrolment is by referral and a diagnosis is not needed to enrol.

SG Enable's Enabling Guide brings together information on early intervention, therapy, assessments and disability support services, and is a good place to start if you are not sure where to turn.

A professional assessment from a doctor or psychologist is often the key that unlocks support, from a SPED place to exam access arrangements, so keep copies of every report.

MOE requires children exempted from compulsory education, including home-schooled children, to sit the PSLE and meet its benchmark. Ask MOE how this applies to your child, especially if they follow a special education curriculum.

SEAB offers access arrangements for national examinations to eligible candidates with SEN, such as extra time. Find out early what evidence is needed and how to apply.

MOE also has a separate process for exemption from Mother Tongue Language for some students with SEN. If learning a second language is very hard for your child, ask MOE whether this could apply.

Teaching and caring for a child with additional needs is demanding. Build in breaks, accept help from family, and connect with other parents of children with similar needs, through support groups, therapy centres or disability organisations.

If you are feeling overwhelmed, speak to your GP or a counsellor. Looking after yourself is part of looking after your child.