Eunice Tan

Dr Eunice Tan

Head, Special Education Minor

S R Nathan School of Human Development

Tel: +65 6240 8864

Educational Qualifications

2019
Doctor of Philosophy in Special Education, Nanyang Technological University
Dissertation: A Study on the Perceptions of Parents and Teachers on Savant Skills of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

1997
Master of Education. University of Melbourne

1993
Post Graduate Diploma in Special Education. University of British Columbia

1992
Bachelor of Education. University of British Columbia

1989
Bachelor of Arts. University of British Columbia

Academic and Professional Experience

2019 - present
Head of Special Education, NSHD, Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS)

2017 - 2019
Assistant Divisional Director, Thye Hua Kwan Moral Charities

1998 - 2016
Teacher, School Principal and Curriculum Planner, Ministry of Education (MOE)

1994 - 1998
Special Education Teacher, Dover Court International School

  1. Tan, E..M.Y. (2024).
    Christopher is Loved
  2. Tan, E. M. Y. (2024).
    Insights from teachers regarding the implementation of strength-based pedagogies for students with special needs. International Teaching and Education Conference. https://www.dpublication.com/proceeding/teduconf
  3. Tan, E..M.Y. (2024).
    Implications of Savant Syndrome for Cognitive Neuroscience and Education: Bridging Insights from Extraordinary Abilities to Learning Enhancement. International Journal of Research & Development, 9(6). https://eprajournals.com/IJSR/
  4. Tan, E..M.Y. & Kuo, M.C.C. (2024).
    Educator Attitudes of Strength-Based Education for Persons with Special Needs. International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research, 6(3). https://www.ijfmr.com/research-paper.php?id=20300
  5. Tan, E. M. Y. & Kuo, M.C.C. (2024).
    Enhancing Developmental Resilience in Children with Special Needs through a Strength-Based Paradigm. International Journal for Innovation Education and Research, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.31686/ijier.vol12.iss1.4205
  6. Tan, E. M. Y. & Kuo, M.C.C. (2024).
    Supporting the Wellbeing of Children with Special Needs through Strength Based Curriculum. International Journal for Innovation Education and Research, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.31686/ijier.vol12.iss1.4206
  7. Tan, E.M.Y. (2024, April 20).
    Don’t isolate kids with autism, involve them in regular activities. The Straits Times. https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/don-t-isolate-kids-with-autism-involve-them-in- regular-activities
  8. Tan, E.M.Y. (2024).
    The Relationship Between Autism Spectrum Disorder Traits And Exceptional Abilities: Insights Into The Savant Syndrome. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, 10(4). https://doi.org/10.36713/epra16244
  9. Tan, E.M.Y.(2024).
    Myth vs. Reality: Examining Common Misconceptions Surrounding Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, 6(2), 1-3. DOI 10.36948/ijfmr.2024.v06i02.14935. https://www.ijfmr.com/papers/2024/2/14935.pdf
  10. Tan, E.M.Y. (2024).
    Psychological Accounts For The Difficulties Experienced By Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder. International Journal of Research and Development, 9(1), 238-241. https://doi.org/10.36713/epra15658
  11. Tan, E.M.Y. (2023).
    Improving and Facilitating Enhancement in Terms of Care for Adults with Disabilities in Singapore. In M. Kefalaki (Ed.), Responses to Global Challenges on Education and Communication (pp. 38-39). Athens, Greece: Communication Institute of Greece. http://coming.gr/ISBN: 978-618-85622-5-7.
  12. Seah, V. Y. Z. & Tan, E.M.Y. (2023).
    Nudging for Improved Academic Performance and Motivation in Higher Learning Institutions. International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research (IJMR), 9(5), 74-77.
  13. Tan, E.M.Y., & Poon, K.K.L. (2023).
    A Literature Summary on the Typology of Giftedness Among Savants. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development. 10(4), 19-22.
  14. Tan, E.M.Y., & Chia, I. (2023).
    An Overview of the Landscape of Adults with Disabilities in Singapore. A Literature Review. International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research, 9(1). 150-152.
  15. Tan, E.M.Y., & Poon, K.K. L. (2023).
    A Literature Overview on the Relationship between Autism Spectrum Disorder and Savant Skills. International Journal of Innovation Scientific Research and Review, 5(1), 3870-3874.
  16. Tan, E.M.Y., & Chia, I. (2023).
    Supporting and Enabling Improvements in the area of care for adults with disabilities in Singapore. International Journal of Research & Development, 8(1), 106-108.
  17. Tan, E.M.Y. & Poon, K.K. (2023).
    Parental Involvement and Influence in the Development of Talents for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Three Modern Case Studies. International Journal of Research and Development, 8(1), 40-44.
  18. Tan, E.M.Y.,& Poon, K.K. (2023).
    Exceptional Abilities and Individuals with Autism. A Historical Account. International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research, 9(1), 17-21. doi: 10.36713/epra2013
  19. Chia, I., & Tan, E.M.Y. (2023).
    Unleashing the Artistic Ability of Students with Special Needs: Towards an Ability-Driven Paradigm in Special Education. In V. Zhuang, M.E. Wong, & D. Goodley (Eds.). Not Without Us: Perspectives on Disability and Inclusion in Singapore. Ethos Books.
  20. Abusalih, A. F., Tan, E.M.Y., & de Cruz, N. (2023).
    Associations between parental conflict and externalising behaviours in children with ASD in a local Singaporean sample: Parenting styles as a moderating mechanism. European Journal of Teaching and Education, 5(2), 13-35.
  21. Tan, E.M.Y., & Poon, K. (2022).
    Aptitudes, Capabilities, and Interests of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. European Journal of Teaching and Education, 4(4), 32–43. https://doi.org/10.33422/ejte.v4i4.863
  • Special Education (i.e. Autism, learning disabilities)
  • Adult Disabilities
  • Mental Health
  • Early Intervention

  1. ‘Insights from teachers regarding the implementation of strength-based pedagogies for students with special needs.’ International Teaching and Education Conference (TEDUCONF). Milan, Italy. Oct 2024.
  2. ‘A Feasibility Study of a Strength Based Curriculum for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.’ Keynote Speaker. Indonesia Autism Summit. University of Muhammadiyah Malang, Malang, Indonesia. Oct 2024.
  3. ‘Neurodiverse Narratives: A Case Study on Autism's Special Abilities from a Parent's Perspective.’ International Conference on Multilingual Education and Sustainable Diversity (ICOMESD-24). Vancouver, Canada. July 2024.
  4. ‘Strength-Based Approach for Children with Special Need.’ 7th International Conference of Advanced Research in Education. Cambridge, United Kingdom. June 2024.
  5. ‘Improving and Facilitating Enhancement in Terms of Care for Adults with Disabilities in Singapore.’ 4th International Conference on Education (EDU2023). The future of education: inclusive and interdisciplinary responses to global challenges. Athens, Greece. December 2023.
  6. ‘Transforming Higher Education in Adult Learning for Inclusivity’. Educational Research Association of Singapore (ERAS) Conference & World Educational Research Association (WERA)Focal Meeting 2023 National Institute of Education (NIE), Singapore. November 2023.
  7. 'The 'Unteachable' Child – Developing Instructional Pedagogies to Motivate'. The 9th Asian Conference on Education & International Development. Tokyo, Japan. March 2023.
  8. ‘The Incidence and Link Between Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Special Abilities’. International Congress on Education and Learning (CEL-22). Pattaya, Thailand, December 2022.
  9. ‘Improving pedagogical methodologies for children with special needs: A strength-based approach”’ Keynote Speaker. Teaching and Education Summit Conference. Online. November 2022.
  10. ‘Reaching out and motivating the ‘hard to teach’ child in your class’. Good Start Early Intervention Conference. Singapore. 9th September 2022
  11. ‘Aptitudes, capabilities, and interests of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder’. 5th International Conference on Education, Teaching and Learning (IACETL). Vienna, Austria. June 2022.
  12. ‘Harnessing the Interest of Children with Special Needs to Maximise Learning Potential’. 5th World Conference on Research in Education (WORLDCRE). Paris, France. November 2021.
  13. ‘Strength-Based Approach For Children With Developmental Needs’. Early Childhood Conference by Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA). Singapore. October 2021.
  14. ‘A Study on the Perceptions of Parents on Savant Skills of Individuals with ASD’. World Congress on Special Needs Education (WCSNE), London, United Kingdom. December 2019
  15. ‘A Study on the Perceptions of Parents Savant Skills of Individuals with ASD’. Keynote Speaker. World Congress on Down Syndrome, Autism & Cerebral Palsy, Tokyo, Japan. September 2019
2024 – present
National Council of Social Services (NCSS) Ethics Review Committee

2023 – present
Ministry for Social and Family Development (MSF). Review Board.

2023 – present
ACS Academy. Curriculum Committee.

2022 – present
Executive Committee Member. Association for Person with Special Needs (APSN).

2021 – present
Board Member. Mamre Oaks Day Activity Centre for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities.

2021 – present
Executive Committee Member: Adult Services and Children Services. Rainbow School

2021 – present
Executive Committee Member. Programme and Services. Mamre Oaks Day Activity Centre.

2020 – 2021
Executive Committee Member. AWWA schools
  1. Temasek Foundation Grant. (2024): Topic: Social robots for older persons and children with disabilities. $445,000. Co-Investigator (Co-PI). 2.
  2. Analytics Informed Nudging. ST2. Strategic Trust 2. (2024- 2026). Internally Funded SUSS project. Study looking at dropout rates of SUSS students. Co -Investigator (Co-PI)
  3. Singtel Research Study (2023). Singtel Touching Lives Fund Impact Report for Parents/Caregivers and Teachers.
  4. National Institute of Education (NIE) Research Grant. (2023): Strength-Based Approach for Children with Special Needs. $100,000. Principal Investigator (PI)
  5. MOE Start –up Grant. (2023). Topic: Striving for Success (StriveS) - Tracking academic trajectories of MENDAKI participants. $223,494. Co -Investigator (Co-PI)
  6. SUSS SEED Grant: (2022). Topic: Improving And Facilitating Enhancement In Terms Of Care For Adults With Disabilities In Singapore. Principal Investigator (PI)
  1. Singapore University of Social Sciences Open House (SUSS) (31 August 2024). Topic: The Progressive Transformation of Special Needs Provision in Singapore.
  2. Singapore University of Social Sciences. Research Forum (19th February 2024). Topic: Improving And Facilitating Enhancement in Terms of Care for Adults with Disabilities in Singapore.
  3. Catholic Family Life Family Conference 2024. (28th January 2024). Topic: Parenting Children with Special needs.
  4. Singapore University of Social Sciences (Conference) (22nd September 2023). Pixel and Possibilities Conference. Part of a panel discussion. Topic: Benefits of Gaming.
  5. Singapore University of Social Sciences (Enrichment talk) (26th August 2023): Changing landscape of Special Education in Singapore
  6. Singapore University of Social Sciences (Unilearn) (2023). 18 taped workshops for India on the topic of Special education for mainstream teachers in India.
  7. SkillsFuture Festival (23rd July 2022). Topic: How to manage challenging behaviours of children in an inclusive environment.
  8. Lifelong Learning Institute. Brown Bag session by Headhunt. (8th July 2022). Topic: Diversity
  9. Singapore School of Technology. Workshop for associates. (2022) Topic: Supporting students with special needs in higher learning institutions. Taped.
  10. Singapore School of Technology. Workshop for associates. (2022) Topic: Supporting students with special needs in higher learning institutions. Taped.
  11. Ministry of Education. 20 Primary Schools. 2 days workshops. (Feb11th 2022) 1st Topic: SEN in general. Understanding Students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). (Feb 22nd, 2022). 2nd Topic: Understanding and Managing Students with Disruptive, Defiant and Aggressive Behavious.
  12. Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS). For faculty staff and associates (March 25th, 2022). Topic: Helping students with special needs in Higher learning institutions.
  13. Koinonia Inclusion Network. (30 July 2022). Topic: Behavioural Management and Meltdown Control.
  14. Social Service Agencies. 8 hours. Topic: Introduction to Special Education (Nov 5th, 2021). Online
  15. Persons with Special Needs (APSN). Parent training. (15th March 2021). Topic: Managing Autism Meltdowns, Tantrums and Aggression.
  16. CaringSG. (16 Oct 2021). Topic: Supporting students with special needs in higher learning institutions. Online.
  17. Institute for Higher Learning. IAL. (Oct 28th, 2021). Topic: Child Development Stages and Milestones. Online.
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