Psychometric Assessment
NUH Child Development Unit (CDU)
Working within a multidisciplinary team, our psychologists provide a broad array of diagnostic, treatment, and consultation services for children from birth to 7 years old (Kindergarten 2 and below) with a range of learning, behavioural and developmental needs.
Our assessment services include:
- Autism Assessment
- Educational Assessment (including cognitive testing and school readiness assessment)
- Neurodevelopmental Assessment (evaluation of a child's neuro-developmental weaknesses and strengths to optimise a child's ability to learn)
- Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) Assessment
- School Observations
NUH
Our psychologists provide assessments for children and adolescents aged 7 to 19 years old with medical and/or developmental conditions only. We use a range of standardised assessment tools for:
- Cognitive Assessment
- Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) Assessment
- Autism Assessment
- Evaluation of Adaptive Functioning
Please note that we do not accept referrals for assessments for purposes of access arrangements recommendations or for second language exemption.
Psychological Therapy
NUH Child Development Unit (CDU)
Our psychologists provide individual intervention and therapy services for children from birth to 7 years old (Kindergarten 2 and below).
Our intervention services include:
- Behavioural therapy for children with internalising difficulties
- Parent training for children with developmental delays
- Group-based transition programme for children with high-functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Sibling workshop for siblings of children with special needs
NUH
Our psychologists provide individual intervention and therapy services for children and adolescents aged 7 to 19 years old in partnership with their family and school. Skills-based group sessions are also conducted if needed.
Some of the common issues seen at our clinic include:
- Behavioural issues
- Emotional issues such as depression, stress, anxiety and adjustment difficulties
- Somatic symptoms and chronic pain management
- Developmental and existential difficulties related to chronic illnesses
Child Life Service
Our child life therapists provide psychosocial services for children and their family to address medical fears and anxiety. This is done through play and creative diversion activities. We focus on the socio-emotional developmental needs of your child, and the impact of illness, injury or hospitalisation on your child and family. Sessions are conducted by our child life therapists who are professionally trained in the area of child and adolescent health development.
Some of the common issues supported by our child life therapists include:
- Procedural preparation and support: Preparing and supporting your child for procedures or surgeries so as to alleviate his or her anxiety in coping with medical procedures. We also assist you in supporting your child during medical procedures with the use of diversion activities.
- Coping with new diagnosis: New diagnosis education and support that is tailored to your child's developmental age and cognitive level.
- Medical play: Therapeutic medical play that allows your child to better understand the hospital environment and his or her medical conditions.
- Sibling support: Helping siblings understand what is happening, as well as to address their feelings and concerns about their sibling who is ill.
Art Therapy
Art therapy is a mental health profession that combines the creative process of art-making with diverse psychological frameworks and counselling skills. The primary objective is to enhance the mental and emotional well-being of the children and adolescents. Utilising art as a powerful communication tool, art therapy provides a safe and appropriate avenue for your child to express emotions effectively.
This expressive outlet helps the child and adolescent cope with stress, process traumatic experiences, resolve inner conflicts and cultivate self-awareness. Art therapy has proven beneficial for children and adolescents who are grappling with mental and psychosocial challenges such as chronic health issues, anxiety, depression, trauma, abuse, somatic issues, grief, palliative support and other mental health-related difficulties.
Our registered art therapists focus on establishing therapeutic relationships with children and adolescents, all while maintaining appropriate clinical boundaries.
Your child and adolescent do not require any prior experience or artistic skills to be referred to our art therapists. The main focus is not aesthetic or diagnostic assessments of your child’s art. Instead, our aim is to facilitate effective, long-lasting change and personal growth through in-depth and longer-term therapy in a secure and supportive environment.
Play Therapy
Play therapy is a psychotherapeutic intervention where play is used as a medium to allow children to express themselves.
Using a child-centred approach based on non-directive principles, our play therapist provides a safe and non-judgmental environment for your child to understand and process confusing feelings as well as upsetting events.
Play therapy can be adapted to suit different developmental levels and is appropriate for children of all ages, especially for those between 3 to 10 years old.
Some difficulties where play therapy can be beneficial include, but are not limited to:
- Anxiety
- Behavioural difficulties
- Social and emotional difficulties
- Bereavement and loss
- Divorce
- Childhood illness or hospitalisation
- Transition and adjustment issues
- Trauma
In play therapy sessions, children explore and express their feelings and emotions through media such as drawing, painting, clay, water play, sand tray, role play, puppetry, relaxation techniques, movement and music.
The outcomes of play therapy may be general, such as a reduction in anxiety and raised self-esteem, or more specific, such as a change in behaviour and improved relations with family and friends.