An article published in Singapore Psychological Society Journal, Issue 23
Co-authored by:
- Shalini d/o Elangovani, Senior Psychologist, AWWA Early Intervention Centre
- Vincent Raj Ferida, Deputy Director, DSLS and Special Projects
This article explores the concept of ambiguous grief experienced by parents of young children with special needs and highlights the importance of grief-informed practices in early intervention. It discusses therapeutic approaches such as Narrative Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and the DayOne programme in supporting caregiver mental well-being, while emphasising the important role professionals play in shaping caregivers’ experiences.
The article also highlights the DayOne programme, a collaboration between AWWA and KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH), which supports parents experiencing persistent emotional difficulties while promoting their child’s development through tiered mental health screening and tailored interventions.