In the Singapore context, a diagnosis is crucial if the goal is to place your child in specialized schools such as Pathlight School, St. Andrew's Mission School, or the various APSN schools. These institutions offer a better teacher-to-student ratio and are specifically equipped to support your child’s ongoing development.
 

However, for early intervention, it’s important to note that programs like EIPIC or private interventions do not necessarily require a formal diagnosis. Many developmental pediatricians/clinical psychologist may also be hesitant to provide a diagnosis at an early age and often use terms like “ASD-like” or “Suspected ASD” instead. 
 

At Learning to Learn Singapore, our approach is simple—focus on early intervention to achieve the best possible outcome. If a child progresses sufficiently to attend a mainstream school with minimal support, then that’s wonderful, and a formal diagnosis may not be necessary. However, if a child requires a slower pace and a high-support environment to excel, seeking a diagnosis closer to schooling age is a fair approach, as the child will have developed more skills by then.
 

It’s also important to note that if our behavior consultant suspects that there could be other developmental challenges, especially since ASD often comes with comorbidities, we will discuss these concerns in-depth with parents. In such cases, seeking a further diagnosis to gain clarity on the child's condition may be beneficial for the child’s development and allow for the appropriate interventions.

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