An online test can give you an idea if you are likely to be autistic but it cannot replace a formal diagnosis.
There are pros and cons to getting an autism diagnosis. If you are already diagnosed with a mental illness, an autism diagnosis probably won’t add more stigma to your situation. If you have a “clean” record, you may prefer to keep your diagnosis secret to avoid discrimination by employers and insurers.
There are currently no laws that forbid discrimination against disabled/autistic people in Singapore. If you plan to work in an industry requiring people skills (e.g. psychotherapist, early childhood educator), be prepared for discrimination if you openly disclose your diagnosis. Likewise if you apply for health insurance policies.
In order to for the diagnosis to be done properly, you must bring along someone who knows your childhood behaviour very well, usually your own mother. Be gentle when you try to persuade your parents: you do not need parental consent but you need parental cooperation. Bear in mind that they will likely be in denial, and that they may also be autistic too.
Once you have obtained your diagnosis, do become part of the WhatsApp Autism Community (WACS) and join the Disabled People’s Association (DPA) to protect your interest. You may also qualify for SGEnable concession cards, handicapped tax relief and other benefits. If you are not working, your family members may qualify for various handicapped reliefs. Do note that you must declare your diagnosis and thus have a permanent record in order to use these government benefits.
If you are looking for paid mentoring/coaching services, Eric does provide them.
[scroll below for Mental Capacity Assessments]
Adelphi Psych Medicine Clinic [diagnosed adult females before]
1 Coleman Street, The Adelphi, #04-32, Singapore 179803
Tel: (65) 6250 9833
https://adelphipsych.sg
Clinical and Health Psychology Centre
University Health Centre, National University of Singapore, 20 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119080
Tel: (65) 6516 5322
https://www.fas.nus.edu.sg/psy/chpc.html
Dyslexia Association of Singapore
1 Jurong West Central 2, #05-01 Jurong Point, Singapore 648886
Tel: (65) 6444 5700
https://das.org.sg/services/about-our-services/spld-assessment-services.html
Gifted Lab [not for adults]
271 Bukit Timah Road, #02-03 Balmoral Plaza, Singapore 259708
Tel: (65) 6592 0241 / 9383 2244
http://www.gifted-sg.com/AUTISM-ASSESSMENT.html
Institute of Mental Health [recommended for adults]
Buangkok Green Medical Park, 10 Buangkok View, Singapore 539747
Tel: (65) 6389 2200 – request to speak to the IMH ANDS team
https://www.imh.com.sg/clinical/page.aspx?id=265
Note: You can obtain a referral from a Polyclinic to save costs.
James Cook University Psychology Clinic
149 Sims Drive, Singapore 387380
Tel: (65) 6709 3762
https://www.jcu.edu.sg/student-life/student-support-services/psychology-clinic
Khoo Teck Puat Hospital [diagnosed adult males before]
90 Yishun Central, Singapore 768828
Tel: (65) 6555 8828
https://www.ktph.com.sg/services/medical-specialties/psychological-medicine
KK Women and Children’s Hospital (Child Development Unit)
Level 5, Women’s Tower, 100 Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 229899
Tel: (65) 6394 3062 / 6394 8297 (B-Assist Nurse)
http://www.kkh.com.sg/Services/Children/ChildDevelopment/Pages/Home.aspx
National University Hospital (Child Development Unit)
Level 2, Jurong Medical Centre, 60 Jurong West Central 3, Singapore 648346
Tel: (65) 6665 0158
https://www.nuh.com.sg/ktp-nucmi/
Dr. Penny Tok [not for adults]
11 Jalan Saudara Ku, Singapore 457448
Tel: (65) 8858 4153
http://www.drpennytok.com
Psych & Psych Consultants
290 Orchard Road, #16-07 Paragon, Singapore 238859
Tel: (65) 6835 7816
http://www.psychnpsych.com
Psychological Therapy Centre
One Orchard Boulevard, #16-01/02, Singapore 248649
Tel: (65) 6738 2526
https://www.camden.com.sg/
SGH Baby and Child Clinic
Obstetrics and Gynaecology Centre, Block 5, Level 1, Singapore General Hospital, Outram Road, Singapore 169608
Tel: (65) 6321 4377
https://www.sgh.com.sg/patient-care/specialties-services/Neonatal-and-Developmental-Medicine
thi!nk
123 Penang Road, #03-13 Regency House, Singapore 238465
Tel: (65) 6836 5536
http://think-psych.com
Mental Capacity Assessments for Intellectual Disability
Dr Tan Jit Seng
[Assessment done at client’s residence]
+65 6818 9512
info @ lotuseldercare.com.sg
C3 Family Clinic
Dr. Cheong Siew Meng and Dr. Eng Soo Kiang
95 Aljunied Crescent, #01-509, Singapore 380095
+65 6742 2285
c3aljuniedcrescent @ gmail.com
Hua Mei Clinic
Dr. Chen Shiling
300 Whampoa Drive, Whampoa Community Club, Singapore 327737
+65 6661 9545
Shankar Surgery
Dr. Bhavani Sriram
6 Napier Road, #02-03 Gleneagles Medical Centre, Singapore 258499
+65 6479 7718
bhavanisriram19 @ gmail.com
WL&H Medical
Dr. Chia Ai Mian
1 Orchard Boulevard, #09-04 Camden Medical Centre, Singapore 248649
+65 6662 9366
aimianchia @ wlhmedical.com
Please note that the following may be required when seeing the clinician:
- Personal identification documents of person being assessed and their next of kin
- Relevant medical reports from psychiatrists and psychologists
- Reports from allied health workers: physiotherapist, occupational therapist (if available)
- Relevant school, therapist reports
- Medical social worker / case management memos / report
Join the Disabled People’s Association
To all Singaporean autistics, I strongly advise you all of you to immediately sign up to be a member of the Disabled People’s Association (DPA) for $5 every 3 year.
There are a few reasons why, but if I were to appeal to your self-interest, they are probably the only organisation who will help advocate for you. There has been a few unfortunate incidents where autistics have got in trouble or faced nasty problems, and you never know if you may be one of them in the future.
Note: For those who worry about having ‘tainted records’, there is no need to declare that you are a member of DPA when employers ask. You can still keep a low profile at DPA if you do not wish to be ‘exposed’. Legally speaking, DPA is not allowed to publish its member list to the public, and people without disabilities can also join the DPA as associate members too.