See your paediatrician
A developmental paediatrician or child psychiatrist is the usual starting point. Bring notes on what you have noticed, when, and in what settings.
Family Guide
Autism Diagnosis in Singapore: What Families Should Know
A diagnosis is often the first clear step in getting the right support for a child with autism. This guide explains how autism is diagnosed in Singapore, who carries out the assessment, and what a family should do once they have a report in hand.
Recognising the Early Signs of Autism
Autism presents differently in every child, which is why a checklist is never a substitute for a clinical assessment. That said, there are patterns families often notice before they have a name for them. A child may not respond to their name as consistently as peers, may not point or share attention by looking at an object and back at a parent, may have delayed or limited speech, or may develop speech and then lose some of it. They may line up toys, repeat phrases they have heard, react strongly to certain sounds or textures, or become deeply attached to particular routines. None of these signs alone means a child is autistic, and many appear in neurotypical children too. But when several signs cluster together, or when a parent's instinct says something is different, it is worth seeking an assessment rather than waiting. Early identification does not change who a child is, but it does open access to the support that helps them thrive.
Who Diagnoses Autism in Singapore
In Singapore, autism is diagnosed by qualified medical professionals, most commonly developmental paediatricians, child psychiatrists, and clinical psychologists working within a multi-disciplinary team. Public sector assessments are available through KK Women's and Children's Hospital, the National University Hospital, and the Child Development Unit at government restructured hospitals, while private clinics and centres offer the same pathway with shorter waiting times at a higher cost. A thorough assessment is not a single appointment. It typically combines clinical observation of the child, structured tools such as the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule and the Autism Diagnostic Interview, parent and teacher questionnaires, and a developmental history taken with the family. The goal is a rounded picture of the child across settings, not a label handed out in one visit, because the profile that emerges shapes the support that follows.
The Process
What the diagnosis journey looks like
While every family's path differs, most move through these four stages from first concern to a support plan.
Multi-disciplinary assessment
Diagnosis is not a single test. It draws on clinical observation, parent and teacher reports, and standardised tools such as the ADOS-2 and ADI-R.
The report
A formal report documents the diagnosis, the child's profile of strengths and needs, and recommended supports. Keep this for school and funding applications.
What happens next
Diagnosis is a starting point, not an endpoint. It opens access to early intervention, school support, and subsidies, but the plan matters more than the label.
What to Do After a Diagnosis
A diagnosis can feel like an ending, but it is really a beginning. The report opens doors that were previously closed: access to early intervention programmes, school learning support, subsidised therapy through the Early Intervention Programme for Infants and Children, and the Development Disability Registry, which provides an ID card that can ease access to community services. The most useful next step is to build a support plan that fits the child's profile rather than a generic autism plan, because two children with the same diagnosis can have very different needs. That plan usually combines therapy, school support, and structured after-school or holiday programmes that reinforce the skills being taught. Starlight Centre sits in that third space, providing after-school care and holiday programmes that work alongside a child's school and therapy, overseen by our Clinical Director, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. If your family has recently received a diagnosis and you are unsure what comes next, we are happy to talk it through with you.
Recently received an autism diagnosis?
We know the feeling. Reach out and we'll help you think through the next step.
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