Autism Association

What Autism Association does

Autism Association (Singapore) is a charitable social service organization founded in August 1992 by a group of parents to support and serve individuals on the autism spectrum in Singapore. Registered as a charity under the Charities Act in January 1995 and granted Institutions of a Public Character (IPC) status in July 1997, AA(S) operates a lifespan continuum of programmes including Eden Children's Centre (early intervention for ages 2-7), Eden School (special education), Eden Centre for Adults (day activity centres in Hougang and Clementi), Eden Friendship Club (social integration for adults 18+), a Caregiver Support Network, and an Autism Training academy. The underlying methodology is grounded in evidence-based practices, notably Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) and Structured Teaching principles, with an autism-focused curriculum that blends functional academics, pre-vocational training, and life skills. Service delivery is enabled through Individualized Education Programmes (IEPs) developed from comprehensive assessments and reviewed every semester, delivered directly across six physical sites in Bukit Batok, Clementi, and Hougang.

AA(S) is governed by a Board of Management led by Chairperson Ms Denise Phua Lay Peng (Mayor of Central Singapore District, Member of Parliament) with Ms Joanne Wee Chu-Yian serving as Executive Director. Revenue is generated through three streams: means-tested programme fees, government funding and subsidies channelled through the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF), National Council of Social Service (NCSS), Community Chest, and Ministry of Education (MOE) with SG Enable acting as the referral gateway, and donations enabled by IPC tax-deductible receipt status. The organization aligns its Early Intervention curriculum with sister organization Autism Resource Centre (Singapore) (ARC(S)) and participates in the Autism Network Singapore. There is no commercial distribution model; service users enter through SG Enable referrals for government-subsidized programmes. The organization has consolidated over time, including the discontinuation of Eden Children's Centre (Simei) in December 2018 and the March 2024 rebranding of Eden Activity Club as Eden Friendship Club.

Name

Autism Association

Legal name

Autism Association (Singapore)

Website

https://autismlinks.org.sg

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Autism Association (Singapore) is a charitable non-profit founded in 1992 that operates a lifespan continuum of autism services — early intervention, special education, adult day activity centres, and social integration programmes — for individuals on the autism spectrum across Singapore.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Support Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Child and Youth Services (624110), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Social Assistance (624)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Autism-Specific Schools & Programs (EDAKAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Autism Early Intervention (Educational) (EDAKAKAB), Autism Parent/Caregiver Education & Training (School-Linked) (EDAKAKAJ), Autism Teacher Training & Professional Development (EDAKAKAL), Autism Communication Support (AAC, Pragmatics & Language) (EDAKAKAG), Autism Executive Functioning & Academic Skills Intervention (EDAKAKAI), Autism Classroom & School Program Support (Inclusion/Resource) (EDAKAKAC), Autism (ASD) Support Childcare (HSAAAIAA)

Keywords

• Autism early intervention
• Special education services
• Disability support services
• Adult day activity
• Caregiver support programmes

Headquarters

HQ city

Singapore

HQ country

Singapore

HQ region

Asia

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Philanthropic Contributions: The organization accepts donations to support Eden programmes and services for children, youths and adults with autism. Holds IPC (Institutions of a Public Character) status allowing issuance of tax-deductible receipts for public donations.
2. Programme Fees: Programme fees are means-tested and calculated prior to enrolment after receipt of required documentation. Fees support operation of Eden Children's Centre, Eden Centre for Adults, and other programmes.
3. Government Funding and Support: Supported by Ministry of Social and Family Development, National Council of Social Service, and Community Chest. Receives government subsidies for eligible service users through SG Enable referrals.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Autism Association (Singapore) delivers a continuum of autism-specific programmes across the lifespan, including early intervention at Eden Children's Centre (ages 2-7), special education at Eden School, day activity training for adults at Eden Centre for Adults (Hougang and Clementi), social integration through Eden Friendship Club (adults 18+), caregiver support via the Caregiver Support Network, and autism training for caregivers and professionals. Services are delivered directly at multiple centres in Singapore using evidence-based practices such as Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) and Structured Teaching.

Product overview

The Autism Association (Singapore) operates a portfolio of autism-focused programmes and services including Eden Children's Centre (early intervention for children aged 2-7), Eden School (special education for students requiring foundational skills and vocational training), Eden Centre for Adults (day activity centre for adults with training in adaptive living, vocational, and community skills), and Eden Friendship Club (social integration for adults 18+). The Association also provides caregiver support through the Caregiver Support Network and Autism Training services. These programmes are delivered across multiple locations in Singapore and are designed to support individuals on the autism spectrum across their lifespan.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Eden Children's Centre Provides early intervention programmes for preschoolers aged 2 to 7 years diagnosed with autism, equipping them with relevant skills to be ready for school settings through ABA strategies and Structured Teaching in language, cognition, behaviour, motor skills, social interaction and pre-academic skills.
• Eden School A special education institution offering quality education to students on the autism spectrum with a blend of Functional Academics, Pre-Vocational and Life Skills programmes. Operates across two campuses at Bukit Batok.
• Eden Centre for Adults A day activity centre providing training and support for adults on the autism spectrum in adaptive living, health and fitness, community living, recreation, and vocation training skills. Operates at Hougang and Clementi, with enrolment via SG Enable referrals.
• Eden Friendship Club Provides social integration opportunities for adults on the autism spectrum aged 18 and above through weekly Saturday programmes including exercise, social games in small groups, and periodic outings. Operates at Bukit Batok.
• Caregiver Support Network A network connecting caregivers of persons on the autism spectrum to share experiences, form mutual-help groups and engage in self-care activities.
• Autism Training Training services for caregivers and professionals in autism-related practices and intervention strategies, delivered via the Autism Learning Academy e-learning portal.

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF)coreOthersGovernment ministry providing regulatory oversight, funding support, and policy guidance for social service agencies in Singapore. AA(S) operates under MSF's framework for disability services.
• National Council of Social Service (NCSS)coreOthersNCSS is the coordinating body for social service agencies in Singapore. AA(S) became a member of NCSS in July 1997. NCSS provides sector coordination, training, and funding support.
• Community ChestcoreOthersCharitable arm of NCSS that raises funds for social service agencies. Supports AA(S) through workplace giving programmes and donations.
• Ministry of Education Singapore (MOE)coreOthersGovernment ministry overseeing education in Singapore. Provides guidance for Eden School as a special education institution and aligns with MOE SEB (Special Education Bureau) on curriculum matters.
• SG EnablecoreOthersAgency under MSF that coordinates disability services and provides referral services for persons with disabilities. Primary gateway for enrollment into Eden Centre for Adults. Handles application processing and means-testing for government-funded day activity centre services.
• Autism Resource Centre (Singapore) (ARC(S))coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister organization providing autism services. AA(S) has been aligning its Early Intervention programme with ARC(S) to deliver consistent EI framework of autism best practices. ARC(S)'s WeCAN EIP at Ang Mo Kio offers identical curriculum to Eden Children's Centres.
• Autism Network SingaporeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork formed to coordinate autism services across Singapore. Mentioned in context of new projects and initiatives by AA(S) and other autism organizations.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• AWWA (Asian Women's Welfare Association): Singapore social service agency running special education schools, day activity centres, and disability support services including autism-specific programmes. Comparable in operating model (NCSS-funded, multi-site centres, Singapore focus) and government funding dependence.
• TOUCH Community Services: Large Singapore-based social service agency operating special education (TOUCH Centre for Learning), family support, and youth programmes including services for persons with autism. Comparable in scale and NCSS/government funding model, though operating across multiple social service verticals.
• Thye Hua Kwan Moral Society: Singapore social service agency providing disability services, including Thye Hua Kwan Centre for Disability Services and special education programmes for persons with autism and intellectual disabilities. Comparable in scale and Singapore government-affiliated charity status.
• MINDS (Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore): One of the largest social service agencies in Singapore serving persons with intellectual disabilities, including those on the autism spectrum. Operates multiple special education schools, day activity centres, and employment programmes — overlapping with AA(S)'s adult services and Eden School, though broader in disability scope.

Direct peers

• Autism Resource Centre (Singapore): Singapore-based social service agency providing autism services including the WeCAN Early Intervention Programme (aligned with AA(S)'s Eden Children's Centre curriculum), Pathlight School, and adult services. Operates in the same autism-specific service space and is explicitly described as AA(S)'s 'sister organization' aligning on best practices.
• Pathlight School: Singapore special education school for students on the autism spectrum, operated by ARC(S). Directly comparable to AA(S)'s Eden School in target population (autism school-age students), curriculum emphasis on functional academics and vocational skills, and Singapore government affiliation.
• Rainbow Centre Singapore: Singapore social service agency operating special education schools (Rainbow Centre - Margaret Drive School and Yishun Park School) and early intervention programmes for children with autism and other developmental disabilities. Directly comparable to AA(S)'s Eden School and Eden Children's Centre offerings.

Others

• DASS (Disability Assistance and Support Services) / SG Enable: Singapore government agency under MSF that serves as the referral gateway through which AA(S) enrols adult day activity clients and administers means-testing. Functions as a key ecosystem partner rather than direct competitor, comparable as a peer touchpoint for persons with disabilities in Singapore.
• Lien Foundation: Singapore philanthropic foundation that funds autism and disability inclusion initiatives, including partnerships with social service agencies. Comparable as a Singapore-based ecosystem participant that co-funds and shapes the autism services landscape in which AA(S) operates.

Regional players

• SPD (Singapore Disability Sports Council / Society for the Physically Disabled): Singapore-based nonprofit providing disability services across physical, sensory, and developmental disabilities. Comparable as a peer-sized Singapore social service agency with multiple programme centres, though broader in scope than AA(S)'s autism-only focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/edenforautism
• Instagraminstagram.com/autismassociationsg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/autismassociationsingapore

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles20 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Autism Association