Programme

Kindly note that the programme is tentative and may be subject to changes.

Please click on the buttons below to navigate to programmes on different conference days.

PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP 1

Building a safe space: Trauma-informed support for young children and their caregivers

Date: 14 July 2026 (Tuesday)

Venue: SingHealth Tower (Function Room 2), 10 Hospital Boulevard, Singapore 168582

Remark: Please note that registration for each workshop is separate and there is no lunch included between the workshops.

OVERVIEW

This interactive 3-hour workshop equips professionals in the child protection and social service sectors with practical strategies to identify young children who have experienced trauma and provide support to the children and their families. Participants will learn to recognise the impact of adverse childhood experiences resulting in trauma in young children, and the interventions needed to support the child, family and parent-child dyad. The workshop includes hands-on, active case discussions to enable participants to develop a better understanding of identifying and supporting these children and their families.

OBJECTIVES

Learn practical strategies to identify young children who have experienced trauma, including the use of screening tools
Learn about dyadic-focused support for children and their caregivers

INSTRUCTORS

Dr Yeleswarapu Sita Padmini, Senior Consultant, Department of Child Development, KKH
Dr Ngiam Xin Ying, Associate Consultant, Department of Child Development, KKH
Ms Charmain Samantha Tan Shiyun, Principal Psychologist, Department of Child Development, KKH
Ms Joanne Ferriol Especkerman, Principal Psychologist, Psychology Service, KKH
Ms Clara Woon Jing Fang, Community Health Visitor, ANCHOR Programme, KKH
Ms Siti Maisarah binte Afandi, Community Health Visitor, ANCHOR Programme, KKH

SUITABLE FOR

Professionals working in the child protection and social service sectors.

AGENDA

Time (in SGT)

Programme

Speaker

9.45am

Registration for Workshop 1

10.00am

Workshop Part 1

11.15am

Morning Tea Break

11.30am

Workshop Part 2

1.00pm

End of Pre-Conference Workshop 1

MAIN CONFERENCE DAY 1

Date: 15 July 2026 (Wednesday)

Venue: Academia, SGH Campus, 20 College Road, Singapore 169856

Time (in SGT)

Programme

Speaker

8.15am

Registration

9.00am

OPENING CEREMONY

9.30am

KEYNOTE PLENARY 1

Early relational health: A systems approach to supporting children and their families

Chairperson: Dr Yeleswarapu Sita Padmini

KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore

Plenary Speaker: Dr Neal M. Horen

Georgetown University, United States

Dr Neal M. Horen

Georgetown University, United States

10.15am

Morning tea break and poster viewing

10.45am

PARALLEL SESSION A

Symposium 1: Parent-child relationship-centred approaches for child development

Symposium 2: Lived experiences

12.15pm

Lunch break and poster viewing

12.30pm - 1.00pm Sponsored Lunch Symposium

(sponsored by Hyphens Pharma Pte. Ltd.)

1.15pm

KEYNOTE PLENARY 2

Understanding complexity in the spectrum of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (NDD)

Chairperson: Dr Sharline D/O Suhumaran

KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore

Plenary Speakers: Dr Gabriel Whitlingum and Ms Annemarie Sims

Evelina London Children's Hospital, United Kingdom

Dr Gabriel Whitlingum and Ms Annemarie Sims

Evelina London Children's Hospital, United Kingdom

2.00pm

PARALLEL SESSION B

Symposium 3: From feeding to movement: Functional challenges in children with Neurodevelopmental Disorder (NDD)

Symposium 4: Mental health conditions in children

3.30pm

Afternoon tea break and poster viewing

4.00pm

PARALLEL SESSION C

Symposium 5: Medical issues in children with Neurodevelopmental Disorder (NDD)

Symposium 6: Trauma-informed care for children and families

5.30pm

End of Main Conference Day 1 Programme

End of Day 1

Parallel Session A

Time (in SGT)

Programme

Speaker

Parallel Session A - Symposium 1: Parent-child relationship-centred approaches for child development

Chairperson: Dr Koh Hwan Cui

Co-chairperson: Ms Rachel Leong Kai Yan

Date: 15 Jul 2026 (Wednesday)

Venue: TBC

10.45am

Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) in action: Principles, research evidence, and delivering ESDM in Singapore

Mr Ong Goon Tat

National University Hospital, Singapore

Ms Chiang Jing Jing

National University Hospital, Singapore

11.10am

From connection to regulation: Enhancing emotional and social development through floortime

Ms Abigail Ng Ruiwen

KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore

11.25am

Supporting early language development through guided parent–child interactions

Ms Maisy Tan

KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore

11.40am

Preschool mental health intervention: Supporting the child, parent and the parent-child relationship

Ms Jenn Peh Oon Him

KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore

Ms Tan Sock Bing, Bonnibel

KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore

12.00pm

Question and Answer

End of Parallel Session A Symposium 1

Parallel Session A - Symposium 2: Lived experiences

Chairperson: Dr Cindy Teow Su Xing

Co-chairperson: Dr Lim Chun Yi

Date: 15 Jul 2026 (Wednesday)

Venue: TBC

10.45am

Panel discussion

Fathers’ lived experiences of caring for children with special needs

Moderator:

Mr Johnny Tan

KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore

Panellists:

Mr Edward Chan

CaringSG, Singapore

Mr Bernard Chew

St. Andrew's Autism Centre, Singapore

Dr Majeed Khader

Ministry of Home Affairs, Singapore

11.25am

Dads for life

Mr Kevin Goh

Centre for Fathering, Singapore

11.45am

Living with ADHD: A parent's perspective and a personal journey

Ms Moonlake Lee

Unlocking ADHD, Singapore

12.05pm

Question and Answer

End of Parallel Session A Symposium 2

Parallel Session B

Time (in SGT)

Programme

Speaker

Parallel Session B - Symposium 3: From feeding to movement: Functional challenges in children with Neurodevelopmental Disorder (NDD)

Chairperson: Ms Ng Wei Lin

Co-chairperson: Ms Rachel Ong Wei Ying

Date: 15 Jul 2026 (Wednesday)

Venue: TBC

2.00pm

Assessment and intervention for problem feeding in children

Ms Hannah Leong Sook Mun

KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore

2.25pm

Feeding difficulties in children with NDD – Getting assessments, diagnoses and management right

Ms Annemarie Sims

Evelina London Children’s Hospital, United Kingdom

Dr Gabriel Whitlingum

Evelina London Children’s Hospital, United Kingdom

2.55pm

Assessment and intervention for children with developmental coordination disorder

Ms Elisa Chong Li Keow

KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore

3.15pm

Question and Answer

End of Parallel Session B Symposium 3

Parallel Session B - Symposium 4: Mental health conditions in children

Chairperson: Ms Charmain Samantha Tan Shiyun

Co-chairperson: Dr Kuay Hue San

Date: 15 Jul 2026 (Wednesday)

Venue: TBC

2.00pm

Infant and early childhood mental health: Supporting positive social-emotional development

Dr Neal Horen

Georgetown University, United States

2.35pm

Psychosocial screening in neurodiverse young people

Dr Wong Chui Mae

KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore

2.55pm

Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and conduct disorder in children with neurodevelopmental disorders

Dr Hui Tianyi

Institute of Mental Health, Singapore

Dr Ong Lue Ping

Institute of Mental Health, Singapore

3.15pm

Question and Answer

End of Parallel Session B Symposium 4

Parallel Session C

Time (in SGT)

Programme

Speaker

Parallel Session C - Symposium 5: Medical issues in children with Neurodevelopmental Disorder (NDD)

Chairperson: Dr Christelle Tan

Co-chairperson: Dr Chan Shi Hua

Date: 15 Jul 2026 (Wednesday)

Venue: TBC

4.00pm

It’s a fit! Managing children with epilepsy and neuro-developmental disorders (NDDs)

A/Prof Ong Hian Tat

National University Hospital, Singapore

4.30pm

Where’s the bite? - Common dental issues in children with NDD

Dr Chay Pui Ling

KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore

4.55pm

Not a WEE problem - Bladder control in children with NDD

Dr Fay Li Xiangzhen

KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore

5.20pm

Question and Answer

End of Parallel Session C Symposium 5

Parallel Session C - Symposium 6: Trauma-informed care for children and families

Chairperson: Ms Cheryl Ng

Co-chairperson: Ms Majella Irudayam

Date: 15 Jul 2026 (Wednesday)

Venue: TBC

4.00pm

An overview of trauma-informed care

Ms Jemi Chen Mei Shi

KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore

4.25pm

From equipping to empowering: Embedding trauma-informed practice in protection work

Ms Mindy Lee

Ministry of Social and Family Development, Singapore

Ms Fatin Aidil

Ministry of Social and Family Development, Singapore

4.45pm

From survival to stability: Trauma systems therapy in Singapore’s foster care and therapeutic group homes

Mr Tang Huan Shern

Ministry of Social and Family Development, Singapore

Ms Anna Low

HomeSweetHome, Singapore

5.05pm

Under one roof - Finding rhythm in the chaos

Ms Soh Ying Si

Melrose Home @ Children's Aid Society, Singapore

Mr Lok Liangxun

Melrose Care @ Children's Aid Society, Singapore

5.25pm

Question and Answer

End of Parallel Session C Symposium 6

MAIN CONFERENCE DAY 2

Date: 16 July 2026 (Thursday)

Venue: Academia, SGH Campus, 20 College Road, Singapore 169856

Time (in SGT)

Programme

Speaker

8.30am

Registration

9.00am

KEYNOTE PLENARY 3

School support and structures to manage school bullying and hurtful behaviours

Chairperson: Dr Faye Yang Phey Hong

KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singaopre

Plenary Speaker: Ms Liew Pei Chin

Ministry of Education Singapore, Singapore

Ms Liew Pei Chin

Ministry of Education Singapore, Singapore

10.00am

Morning tea break and poster viewing

10.30am

PARALLEL SESSION D

Symposium 7: Inclusive and integrated education

Free paper session

12.00pm

Lunch break and poster viewing

12.15pm - 12.45pm Lunchtime talk on "Development of feeding skills in early childhood"

Speaker: Ms Chen Yu Hui

KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore

1.00pm

PARALLEL SESSION E

Symposium 8: Navigating the journey: Psychoeducation and support for caregivers

Symposium 9: Sleep and mental health

2.30pm

Afternoon tea break and poster viewing

3.00pm

PARALLEL SESSION F

Symposium 10: Translating connection into change: The impact of the Relational-Invitational Approach (RIA) in nurturing resilient families

Symposium 11: Cutting edge research / Therapeutics

5.00pm

AWARD AND CLOSING CEREMONY

Closing address

Speaker: Dr Ellen Tay Ghim Hoon

KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore

5.30pm

End of Main Conference Day 2 Programme

End of Day 1

Parallel Session D

Time (in SGT)

Programme

Speaker

Parallel Session D - Symposium 7: Inclusive and integrated education

Chairperson: Ms Nor Jannah Binte Ahmad

Co-chairperson: Ms Edwina Lim Yiwen

Date: 16 Jul 2026 (Thursday)

Venue: TBC

10.30am

Building inclusive futures: The landscape of inclusive education in Singapore

A/Prof Wong Meng Ee

National Institute of Education, National Technological University, Singapore

11.00am

Laying strong foundations: Nurturing resilience through inclusive practices in the early years

Ms June Wong

Early Childhood Development Agency, Singapore

11.25am

Inclusion in action: Building safe and supportive spaces in primary schools

Ms Phua Jia Jun

AWWA Community Integration Service, Singapore

11.50am

Question and Answer

End of Parallel Session D Symposium 7

Parallel Session D - Free paper session

Chairperson: Dr Lim Chun Yi

Co-chairperson: Dr Sandra Sylvia Mascarenhas

Date: 16 Jul 2026 (Thursday)

Venue: TBC

End of Parallel Session D Free Paper Session

Parallel Session E

Time (in SGT)

Programme

Speaker

Parallel Session E - Symposium 8: Navigating the journey: Psychoeducation and support for caregivers

Chairperson: Ms Nyu Mei Mei

Co-chairperson: Ms Peggy Ng

Date: 16 Jul 2026 (Thursday)

Venue: TBC

1.00pm

SPD on respite care: Take a break

Mr Tristan Gwee Chen Teck

SPD, Singapore

1.30pm

Bridging gaps: Supporting smooth transition into mainstream school for children with autism/ children with inattention and/or hyperactivity: APT and START P1 workshop

Ms Charmaine Lim Wan Qin

KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore

1.55pm

Nurse’s role in guiding parents: Autism Resource Nurse (ARN) and Learning and Behaviour Resource Nurse (LBRN)

Ms Gwen Chng Yan Ling

KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore

Ms Lee Si Yu

KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore

2.20pm

Question and Answer

End of Parallel Session E Symposium 8

Parallel Session E - Symposium 9: Sleep and mental health

Chairperson: Dr Tammy Lim

Co-chairperson: Dr Sharline Suhumaran

Date: 16 Jul 2026 (Thursday)

Venue: TBC

1.00pm

Neurological basis and management of sleep disorders in children with NDDs

A/Prof Honey Heussler

University of Queensland, Australia

1.35pm

Behavioural management of sleep issues in children

Ms Jessie Ooh

National University Hospital, Singapore

1.55pm

The relationship between respiratory issues and sleep disorders

Dr Arun Kumar Pugalenthi

KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore

2.15pm

Question and Answer

End of Parallel Session E Symposium 9

Parallel Session F

Time (in SGT)

Programme

Speaker

Parallel Session F - Symposium 10: Translating connection into change: The impact of the Relational-Invitational Approach (RIA) in nurturing resilient families

Chairperson: Dr Gloria Ng Siok Kwan

Co-chairperson: Ms Julia Wang

Date: 16 Jul 2026 (Thursday)

Venue: TBC

3.00pm

Supporting caregiver autonomy and self-efficacy through the Relational-Invitational Approach (RIA)

Ms Rachel Ong

KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore

3.25pm

Building resilience through RIA – Perspectives from the hospital and community settings

Dr Kenneth Li Yunnan

KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore

Ms Deirdre Tay

Singapore General Hospital, Singapore

Ms Tan Manting

MINDS Fernvale Gardens School, Singapore

4.25pm

Panel Discussion

All Speakers

End of Parallel Session F Symposium 10

Parallel Session F - Symposium 11: Cutting edge research / Therapeutics

Chairperson: Dr Giselle Reinoso

Co-chairperson: Ms Samantha Kang

Date: 16 Jul 2026 (Thursday)

Venue: TBC

3.00pm

SUREFIND-NDD: Singapore undiagnosed disease research endeavour for identification of novel genetic discoveries in neurodevelopmental disorders

A/Prof Saumya Jamuar

KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore

3.35pm

Insights into optimising early development from the parent-child interactome

Prof Victoria Leong

Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

4.05pm

Early interventions to improve parent-child interactions and downstream effects on child outcomes

A/Prof Anne Rifkin-Graboi

National University of Singapore, Singapore

4.35pm

Question and Answer

End of Parallel Session F Symposium 11

PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP 2

Caring for caregivers from DayOne Programme: Mental health matters

Date: 14 July 2026 (Tuesday)

Venue: SingHealth Tower (Function Room 2), 10 Hospital Boulevard, Singapore 168582

Remark: Please note that registration for each workshop is separate and there is no lunch included between the workshops.

OVERVIEW

This interactive 3.5-hour workshop equips child-focused professionals with practical strategies to identify and support mental health needs in caregivers of children with developmental needs. Participants will learn to use validated screening tools, recognise behavioural warning signs of caregiver distress, and develop essential communication skills. The workshop covers emotion regulation techniques, mindfulness approaches, and co-regulation strategies for caregivers and their children. Through hands-on exercises and active discussions, participants will develop better understanding on supporting caregivers and their children.

OBJECTIVES

Learn to recognise caregiver mental health distress via validated screening tools and behavioural observations
Learn strategies for caregivers to manage their own emotional wellbeing and distress
Learn strategies for caregivers to co-regulate their children's emotions

INSTRUCTORS

Ms Charmaine Lim Wan Qin, Psychologist, Department of Child Development, KKH
Ms Jenn Peh Oon Him, Psychologist, Department of Child Development, KKH
Ms Adelle Seraphina Ong Fang Min, Senior Medical Social Worker, Department of Child Development, KKH
Ms Siti Aishah Kusairi, Senior Medical Social Worker, Department of Child Development, KKH
Ms Joy Yeo Zhi Ying, Care Coordinator, Department of Child Development, KKH
Ms Samantha Kang Xiao Hui, Care Coordinator, Department of Child Development, KKH
Ms Nuryn Aqidah Binte Mohammad Adib, Care Coordinator, Department of Child Development, KKH

SUITABLE FOR

Professionals working in child-focused developmental or educational services (e.g., early intervention services, schools)

AGENDA

Time (in SGT)

Programme

Speaker

1.45pm

Registration for Workshop 2

2.00pm

Workshop Part 1

3.15pm

Afternoon Tea Break

3.30pm

Workshop Part 2

5.30pm

End of Pre-Conference Workshop 2