Special Needs Trainer Profile

Our Specialised Trainers

At A Kind Place, our specialised trainers are passionate, experienced, and deeply committed to supporting individuals with special needs. Each trainer brings a unique blend of professional expertise, patience, and understanding, creating a safe and engaging environment where every learner can grow at their own pace. With backgrounds in psychology, special education, and therapy, our team is trained to deliver personalised support that nurtures confidence, independence, and emotional well-being.

Farah Shida, an educational therapist at A Kind Place (AKP).

Farah Shida

Educational Therapist
  • Focus

    Autism, ADHD, Intellectual disabilities, Learning disabilities, and other disabilities

  • Approach

    Experiential & Gamified Teaching (combining creativity with evidence-based practices), Empathy-Driven, Strength-Based Mindset, Person-Centred, Partnering Closely with Parents and Caregivers

  • Languages

    English, Bahasa Melayu

Kwang Yong, a professional counsellor at A Kind Place (AKP).

Kwang Yong

Special Needs Trainer/Professional Counsellor
Melissa-e1745511411966.webp

Melissa

Special Needs Trainer
  • Focus

    Autism, ADHD, Intellectual disabilities, and Learning disabilities

  • Approach

    Experiential & Gamified Teaching (combining creativity with evidence-based practices), Empathy-Driven, Person-Centered

  • Languages

    English, Mandarin

Jannah-square.webp

Jannah

Special Needs Trainer
  • Focus

    Autism, ADHD, Intellectual disabilities, and Learning disabilities

  • Approach

    Experiential & Gamified Teaching (combining creativity with evidence-based practices), Empathy-Driven, Person-Centered

  • Languages

    English

Nur Sofiawati Profile Pic 5x4

Nur Sofiawati

Educational therapist
  • Focus

    Autism, ADHD, Intellectual disabilities, and Learning disabilities

  • Approach

    Social-Emotional & Behavioural Support Integrated
    Collaborative focused (caregiver and environment)
    Data-Informed & Reflective Practice
    Trauma-Sensitive Engagement

  • Languages

    English & Malay

sze-jin-a-kind-place

Sze Jin

Founder of A Kind Place &
Registered Psychologist
  • Education and Certification

    Master's in Clinical Psychology

  • Past Experiences

    Worked with MINDS, THK Pan-Disability Centre and startups serving special needs
    Provided counselling services for both neurotypical and differently-abled clients

  • Languages

    English, Mandarin

With over 10 years in working in the special needs and mental health field, my approach consists of a human-first approach.

My approach consists of understanding the needs of my clients, and using mindfulness, compassion, and cognitive-behavioural approaches to work on improving the mental health and lives of those I work with.

Working with people who are differently abled drives me because I believe in serving the underserved and those who aren’t seen enough in society.

Celine Khin

Curriculum Specialist

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Farah photo

Farah Shida

Curriculum Specialist &
Special Needs Trainer

With over a decade of experience supporting diverse learners with special needs, I am passionate about creating environments where individuals can thrive. Using experiential learning and gamification, I design lessons that are both effective and joyful, sparking curiosity, building confidence, and nurturing a sense of accomplishment.

This work is more than a profession—it’s a calling. I am dedicated to empowering individuals with special needs to embrace their strengths and achieve personal goals. By collaborating with families, caregivers, and the community, I strive to make a meaningful, lasting impact on their well-being and quality of life.

Kwang Yong (Counsellor) Profile

Kwang Yong

Programme Coordinator, Professional Counsellor &
Special Needs Trainer

I originally studied Engineering, after which I spent a few decades in the financial sector. During the Covid pandemic, I made the decision to part ways with corporate life and started my journey in the helping profession. Today, I work and interact with both clients and their caregivers to bring greater meaning and fulfilment to their lives. For me it is about wanting to make a difference, having patience, and getting fulfilment from the journey. Besides pursuing special needs training, I am also a mental health counsellor working with both neurotypical and special needs clients.

Joyce (Professional Counsellor) Profile

Joyce Ho

Professional Counsellor &
Special Needs Trainer
  • Education and Certification

    Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling

  • Past Experiences

    Conducted support groups for caregivers of children with special needs
    Developed and delivered training programmes designed for adults with special needs

  • Languages

    English, Basic Mandarin

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Darrvin G. Naidu

Special Needs Trainer

With five years of experience in special needs education, I create inclusive, evidence-based curricula tailored to neurodivergent learners. My approach promotes emotional regulation, social skills, self-awareness, and independence, fostering confidence and growth. Having worked with organizations like THKMS EIPIC Centres, MINDS, APSN, and Saint Andrew Autism Centre, I bring adaptability and a deep understanding of diverse needs. By collaborating with caregivers, I ensure holistic support that aligns with each learner’s goals. Driven by compassion and practical strategies, I strive to make a positive impact on individuals and their families, empowering them to thrive.

Belinda Yap

K. Parimala

Special Needs Trainer
  • Education and Certification

    Diploma in Special Education

  • Past Experiences

    10+ years working with Association for People with Special Needs (APSN)
    Developed Individual Education Programs (IEP)
    Support school programs at Spectra Secondary School and Qihua Primary School

  • Languages

    English, Tamil

(Add ~100 words bio)

Raymond Profile

Raymond Tang

Special Needs Trainer

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Perusal Kanakambal

Special Needs Trainer

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Melissa Tan

Special Needs Trainer

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Jannah

Special Needs Trainer

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Belinda Teo

Special Needs Trainer

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Elias

Special Needs Trainer

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Clare

Special Needs Trainer

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Our Special Needs Trainers in Singapore

Our special needs team brings extensive experience working with individuals with autism and intellectual disabilities across diverse settings, including intervention centers, schools, and social service agencies based in Singapore.

The minimum qualifications are either a diploma in special needs or graduate diploma in counselling or psychology, allowing them to have a better understanding on human behaviour.

This background equips our trainers with the skills and understanding to provide effective and empathetic support tailored to each individual.

While we follow a standardised curriculum designed to achieve key learning outcomes, our programmes are flexible and adaptable to meet each individual’s unique needs.

Each class is split according to the levels of the learners to ensure the curriculum meets their learning needs.

Our trainers also build personalised profiles of each learner and conduct pre-assessments to determine the amount of customisation required for each lesson.

You may choose which class you wish to join, depending on the availability of slots.

We are always on the look out for volunteers and ad hoc trainers.

You may send your enquiries to hello@akindplace.co. 

Depending on each class, we have trainers who are fluent in Mandarin, Tamil, and Bahasa Melayu.

However, classes will be conducted mainly in English.

You may do so. The price of 1-1 classes are $150/hour.

Please drop us a message on WhatsApp to enquire. 

Nur Sofiawati
Educational therapist

Sofia is an NIE SPED-trained educator with over 6 years of experience in Special Education settings and MOE mainstream schools. She has a strong background in psychology and is currently pursuing a Master of Psychology.

She also has experience teaching primary school curriculum subjects, including Math, English, and Malay, providing foundational support to children with diverse learning needs.

She works with children aged 7–12 who have a range of learning needs, including autism and emotional regulation difficulties.

Her teaching style is calm, structured, and strengths-based, helping children feel safe, understood, and supported in their learning journey. Her sessions are personalised and child-centred, using clear routines, visual supports, hands-on activities, and positive reinforcement to build attention, confidence, and essential learning skills.

Session rates: $120/hr
Jannah
Special Needs Trainer
  • 2+ years of experience in special needs education, supporting learners with diverse behavioural and learning needs
  • Holds a Diploma in Psychology from Temasek Polytechnic, providing a strong foundation in developmental and behavioural understanding
  • 1.5 years of hands-on ABA therapy experience, delivering structured 1-to-1 and small-group behavioural interventions
  • Experience in vocational skills training for adults with disabilities, focusing on building practical skills and workplace readiness
  • Supported individuals in transitioning to supported employment
Melissa
Special Needs Trainer
  • Melissa brings a unique blend of corporate banking experience and special needs education, currently serving as a trainer for adults with special needs, focused on building confidence, resilience, and life skills.
  • A mother of four neurodiverse children, which deepened her understanding of neurodiversity and inspired her career shift.
  • She holds a Diploma in Special Needs & Child Psychology, and is known for her strong communication and problem-solving skills.
  • Melissa’s empathetic and engaging approach helps individuals build confidence, resilience, and independence.
Kwang Yong, a professional counsellor at A Kind Place (AKP).
Kwang Yong
Special Needs Trainer/Professional Counsellor
  • Transitioned from Engineering and the financial sector to the helping profession during Covid.
  • Earned a Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling Psychology and an Advanced Certificate in Learning and Performance (ACLP).
  • Works as a Special Needs Curriculum Specialist and Trainer, supporting clients and caregivers.
  • Serves as a mental health counsellor for neurotypical and special needs clients.
Farah Shida, an educational therapist at A Kind Place (AKP).
Farah Shida
Curriculum Specialist & Special Needs Trainer
  • Over 10 years of experience in special needs education, with a Diploma and Master’s in Special Education from NIE.
  • Develops experiential, gamified curricula focused on fostering independence, confidence, and social engagement.
  • Utilizes creativity and evidence-based practices to create engaging, learner-centered experiences.
  • Collaborates closely with families, caregivers, and community partners to personalize support and build comprehensive learning plans.
  • Experienced with autism, ADHD, intellectual and multiple disabilities through roles with A Kind Place and other special needs agencies.
Session rates: $120/hr

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