For parents of children with special needs, the term ‘EIPIC’, which stands for Early Intervention Programme for Infants & Children, is not unfamiliar. The programme supports children who require medium to high levels of early intervention, with the aim of maximising integration into mainstream settings. EIPIC centres primarily support children with developmental delays, such as speech and motor skill delays.
However, the long waiting times, coupled with the logistical difficulty of bringing children to EIPIC centres during preschool hours, place an extra burden on parents and caregivers.
In recent months, 1:1 home-based intervention has become increasingly popular. These sessions are conducted in the child’s home, at a time and day that is most convenient for the parents. This approach alleviates the hassle of commuting, while also ensuring that children receive undivided attention from a dedicated specialist. Currently, Special Minds is Singapore’s only platform offering 1:1 matching services for children with learning or special needs.
Our home-based 1:1 intervention generally falls into three categories: academic support, therapy support, and enrichment activities.
Academic Support
Typically, for children in K1 and K2, academic support focuses on English, Mother Tongue, and Numeracy programmes to support early childhood education. This extends beyond traditional tuition, as special needs educators employ various multisensory techniques to engage children while imparting essential skills and knowledge. For example, an educator may use playdough and flashcards to incorporate games into the learning process. Each session lasts an hour, with rates ranging from $70 to $80 per session.
Therapy Support
Therapy support involves 1:1 sessions with specialised, AHPC-certified speech and occupational therapists, primarily to assist children with speech, language, and motor skills development. These therapy sessions are also conducted in the comfort of the child’s home, with the therapist bringing along all necessary materials. Each session lasts an hour, with rates ranging from $200 to $250 per session.
Enrichment Support
Enrichment activities have proven effective in engaging children through play. Activities such as yoga help improve self-regulation and motor skills development, while music sessions, such as drumming, can enhance focus and concentration, while serving as an emotional outlet. Some parents may even engage swimming coaches to provide private swimming lessons as a therapeutic way of managing behavioural issues. Enrichment sessions typically last 45 minutes, with fees ranging from $60 to $80. Swimming lessons usually cost between $100 and $120 per session.
At Special Minds, we offer a range of academic, therapy, and enrichment support for children with learning and special needs. With over 500 special needs service providers, we are dedicated to providing the necessary care and support to families in the comfort and safety of their own homes. Contact us today to find out more!
