CHILDREN WITH AUTISM
A Path to work life
Pathlight School's $34m campus has a store, cafe and industrial kitchen to expose them to work
By Leow Si Wan, ST
FROM 41 students just six years ago, enrolment at Pathlight School has jumped to more than 500.
The school, which caters to children with autism, a developmental disorder, has a waiting list, and receives more than 200 applications a year.
A child may need to wait up to two years for a place, depending on his needs and the availability of a suitable class.
With demand for places growing, the school has turned its attention towards better preparing students for employment. Yesterday, it unveiled several initiatives at the official opening of its new $34 million campus in Ang Mo Kio.
One of these is a retail store that will showcase students' products, provide them with a source of income and expose them to a work culture.
Among the other facilities are an industrial kitchen and an expanded cafe, where its students can work. The kitchen is a training centre for students pursuing the Institute of Technical Education-approved certificate in baking.
Among the other facilities are an industrial kitchen and an expanded cafe, where its students can work. The kitchen is a training centre for students pursuing the Institute of Technical Education-approved certificate in baking. -- ST PHOTO: JOYCE FANG
Note: Refer to earlier posting on Autism and Q&A with Pathlight President, Denise Phua:
