Autism Therapy via Tele-medicine for Parents of Young Children
Care Process & Redesign
Technology
National Healthcare Innovation and Productivity Medals
National University Health System
27 January 2026
To trial the effectiveness of synchronous video conferencing (VC) as an alternative platform for coaching parents of young. Parents' willingness and ability to participate in VC sessions should be assessed and facilitated by therapists.
Year Submitted: 2025
Published Date: 27 January 2026
Tags: Care Process ＆ Redesign, Technology, Telehealth, Cost Saving, Workflow Redesign, Quality Improvement, Productivity, Digital Health
About this Content
Aims
To trial the effectiveness of synchronous video conferencing (VC) as an alternative platform for coaching parents of young children with autism from July 2018 to July 2023.
Background
1 in 100 children in Singapore have autism. There is limited availability and space for intervention. Tele-medicine has been shown to increase access to intervention, reduce patient and provider costs, and allow remote guided practice of therapeutic strategies. However, the effectiveness and acceptability of telemedicine in Singapore remains unknown.
Methods
A hybrid intervention program was piloted from April 2022 to January 2024. Processes were further refined. It has been implemented as the mainstream autism intervention service since February 2024. The project involved a trans-organizational design, a pilot with 10 patients, obtaining equipment for VC, and conducting sessions in accordance with NUHS patient data protection laws.
Results
Comparable improvement in child's developmental skills, adaptive behaviour, parent-child engagement and communication, parent's ability to carry out intervention strategies, and family quality of life. No increase in parental stress. Increased productivity for therapists and increased utilization of therapy slots. Space savings for clinic and direct and indirect cost savings for patients.
Conclusion
Parents' willingness and ability to participate in VC sessions should be assessed and facilitated by therapists. Moving forward, hybrid intervention (in-person and VC) should be adopted.
Lessons Learnt
The project provides specific actionable insights on the real-world implementation of a dynamic tele-medicine program. It informs health professionals on facilitators to be leveraged and challenges to address in similar tele-medicine programs.
Keywords
Autism, Tele-medicine, Intervention, Video Conferencing, Therapy
Innovators' Details
Innovators' Details
Healthcare Cluster(s) | National University Health System |
Organization(s) Involved | National University Hospital |
Platform(s) | National Healthcare Innovation and Productivity Medals |
Healthcare Professional Group(s) | Medical |
Applicable Specialty or Discipline | Paediatrics |
Project Lead(s) | Chong Shang Chee |
Project Member(s) | Isaac Sia |
Connect with this contributor!
Chong Shang Chee - shang_chee_chong@nuhs.edu.sg
Project Attachment
435_NUH_NHIP_2024_Autism_therapy_via_tele_medicine_for_parents_of_young_children.pdf