Certificate in Preschool Special Needs Education
Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS)
About this course
This course is jointly developed between SUSS and Happee Hearts Movement.
The course on Healthcare for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities - Characteristics of ID and Related Conditions provides a foundational overview of intellectual disabilities (ID). Participants will gain essential knowledge to recognise the diagnostic criteria, distinguish ID from other conditions with similar presentations, and understand the broader impact on individuals and their caregivers. By the end of the course, you will be better prepared to support and respond to the needs of persons with ID in a holistic and informed manner.
Participants who have completed the graded quizzes and obtained a passing score of 80% will be eligible for Certificate of Participation. The download link to the Certificate will be available under the Progress Tab in the course site.
Course Access Period
Please note that this is an online self-paced asynchronous course where learners will be granted 1 month of access from the enrolment date.
What you will learn
On completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Describe diagnostic criteria for intellectual disabilities(ID).
- Distinguish ID from conditions with similar presentations.
- Describe impact of ID on individuals and their caregivers.
Course Staff
 | Dr. Vivien Lee Biography Dr Vivien Lee studied medicine in National University of Singapore (NUS), completed family medicine residency with the National University Health System and obtained her Master of Medicine (Family Medicine). She is a member of Royal College of Surgeons (Ireland) and obtained a post graduate diploma in child health by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (UK). She is a registered family physician passionate about holistic and patient centered primary care, and care for vulnerable populations. As a lecturer in NUS, she is also dedicated to teaching and research in the field of disability, hoping to build the next generation of compassionate healthcare professionals and an inclusive healthcare ecosystem to care for persons with intellectual disabilities. |
 | Joy Teo Biography Since graduating from physiotherapy school in 2003 and obtaining a research-based Masters degree in Rehabilitation Science, Joy has gained experience in caring for people with disabilities along the entire rehabilitation continuum of care. She also has a keen interest in developing capability in others and creating knowledge that will transform care. |
 | Dr. Chen Shiling Biography Dr Chen graduated from medical school in Singapore and obtained post graduate qualifications in Internal Medicine from the Royal College of Physicians (United Kingdom) and also Masters of Medicine from NUS. She also has a Graduate Diploma in Mental Health (NUS) and a Masters in Ageing Health and Well-being in Intellectual Disability from Trinity College Dublin. She is deeply passionate about improving the lives of persons with intellectual disability and persons with dementia, and also works with Khoo Teck Puat Hospital in supporting persons with dementia and their families. Dr Chen sits on a number of non profit boards and subcommittees. These include being a member of the Management Committee of Dementia Singapore (DSG) and chairing their Programmes and Services Sub-Committee. Dr Chen also serves on the AWWA Board and is a member of their Programmes and Services Committee. Concurrently, she is also a member of the Association for Persons with Special Needs (APSN) Programmes and Services Committee and serves in the Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (MINDS) Healthcare Working Group. She is also an appointed member of the Adult Protection Team (APT), Ministry of Social and Family Development, and a member of the 4th Enabling Masterplan (EMP2030) Steering Committee. |
What you will learn
On completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Describe diagnostic criteria for intellectual disabilities(ID).
- Distinguish ID from conditions with similar presentations.
- Describe impact of ID on individuals and their caregivers.
Course Writer/Instructor
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Course Staff
Dr Vivien Lee studied medicine in National University of Singapore (NUS), completed family medicine residency with the National University Health System and obtained her Master of Medicine (Family Medicine). She is a member of Royal College of Surgeons (Ireland) and obtained a post graduate diploma in child health by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (UK). She is a registered family physician passionate about holistic and patient centered primary care, and care for vulnerable populations. As a lecturer in NUS, she is also dedicated to teaching and research in the field of disability, hoping to build the next generation of compassionate healthcare professionals and an inclusive healthcare ecosystem to care for persons with intellectual disabilities. |
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Course Staff
Since graduating from physiotherapy school in 2003 and obtaining a research-based Masters degree in Rehabilitation Science, Joy has gained experience in caring for people with disabilities along the entire rehabilitation continuum of care. She also has a keen interest in developing capability in others and creating knowledge that will transform care. |
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Course Staff
Dr Chen graduated from medical school in Singapore and obtained post graduate qualifications in Internal Medicine from the Royal College of Physicians (United Kingdom) and also Masters of Medicine from NUS. She also has a Graduate Diploma in Mental Health (NUS) and a Masters in Ageing Health and Well-being in Intellectual Disability from Trinity College Dublin. She is deeply passionate about improving the lives of persons with intellectual disability and persons with dementia, and also works with Khoo Teck Puat Hospital in supporting persons with dementia and their families. Dr Chen sits on a number of non profit boards and subcommittees. These include being a member of the Management Committee of Dementia Singapore (DSG) and chairing their Programmes and Services Sub-Committee. Dr Chen also serves on the AWWA Board and is a member of their Programmes and Services Committee. Concurrently, she is also a member of the Association for Persons with Special Needs (APSN) Programmes and Services Committee and serves in the Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (MINDS) Healthcare Working Group. She is also an appointed member of the Adult Protection Team (APT), Ministry of Social and Family Development, and a member of the 4th Enabling Masterplan (EMP2030) Steering Committee. |