The Autism Collaborative in Singapore

The Autism Collaborative is a Singapore-based initiative aiming to establish a centralised platform where professionals and the autism community can access resources, co-create solutions, connect across disciplines and collaborate on research efforts. Most importantly, we are committed to creating a space for everyone to work together in the spirit of inclusivity and togetherness. We host a series of events and trainings where we share knowledge, strengthen skills, and help knit a more cohesive and connected autism community.

One of the collaborative’s stand-out moments in 2025 was the ‘Journey with Autism’ event. It was held in commemoration of the World Autism Awareness Month, and it officially marked the launch of the Autism Collaborative. Program highlights included our Public Talk Series, fringe activities and interactive sessions. Our Public Talk Series, attended by over hundreds of professionals and members of the public, covered topics ranging from anxiety and emotional regulation, understanding sensory processing differences, and exploring a parent’s perspective on raising a child with autism. Feedback from the talk was overwhelmingly positive, with many participants noting the relevance and quality of the content covered. 

Beyond our Public Talk Series, we also curated a multi-sensory room where participants can either engage or retreat into their sensory world. There were also interactive workshops, including LEGO®-based therapy and mindfulness sessions. Our interactive sessions were extremely well-received, with tickets for the sessions fully booked weeks before the event. Organizations and small enterprises took part in a mini bazaar where there are booths managed by individuals with special needs, and an art showcase featuring artworks of people with autism. Works of art by these talented individuals were printed on tote bags and lanyards as keepsakes for guests. 

Our Community of Practice started off strong in August 2025 with the purpose of bringing together professionals from diverse disciplines to co-learn, exchange experiences, and refine practice through case-based discussion. Over 90 professionals joined us in our inaugural online session to exchange perspectives and valuable insights. The session began with a case presentation, followed by an open Q&A and discussion that reflect on the practices from across settings. Our host team then distilled the key takeaways and ended the session with a concise, evidence-based sharing of the topic.  

Many attendees felt that the Community of Practice was extremely relevant and useful for their professional practice. At its core, the Community of Practice advances our goal of promoting the knowledge and skillsets of professionals beyond the virtual space. By gathering professionals together in a skills-rich environment and transforming knowledge into practice, they can then bring that into their own professional practice and community. We also hope to engage people with lived experiences and their caregivers to join us in these events where we can learn from each other to build understanding and improve ways of practice. 

The Autism Collaborative also runs a series of webinars for both professionals, caregivers and individuals in the autism community. Most recently, we presented “Changing Bodies, Changing Needs”, a talk on puberty and sexual health for individuals with autism. We explored body awareness, distinguishing private and public behaviours, and fostering healthy and respectful social interactions. Some of our past talks examined Singapore’s National Service for individuals with autism, as well as behaviours of concern in adults with autism using the biopsychosocial approach. Our talks allow us to widen access to knowledge for caregivers and individuals with autism, bridging the gap between knowledge and everyday life for them. We welcome the autism community in sharing with us important topics to explore and aim to co-create future sessions with them.

Building an inclusive society starts with us. By taking small steps, we hope to be part of a growing network of professionals working alongside the autism community to work towards a shared goal – a world where everyone is important. Find out more about the Autism Collaborative at https://www.asdcollaborative.sg and join the network of professionals at https://for.sg/ac-professionals-network. 

This article represents the view of its author(s) and does not necessarily represent the view of the IACAPAP's bureau or executive committee.

IACAPAP Bulletin, Issue 80