When 24-year-old Joel Ng first stepped into SPD’s Day Activity Centre (DAC) in 2020, the new environment felt overwhelming.
New environments, routines and activities
Diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disabilities, he had just graduated from a special education school, and the new routines, unfamiliar activities and changes in his daily structure brought anxiety. The transition was initially challenging, and Joel would sometimes display self-injurious behaviours as a way of coping.
Noticing this, a DAC team consisting of training officers, an occupational therapist and a psychologist worked closely with Joel to introduce coping strategies that could help him manage those moments. His training officer, Millares Neilson Monis, started introducing coping strategies such as deep breathing and helping Joel identify quiet spaces where he could take a break. “Over time, Joel learnt to recognise when he needed to pause and use the strategies to regulate his emotions.” Neilson said.
“We were happy to see him gradually becoming calmer and more participative in activities.”
As Joel settled into the centre’s routines, the team noticed his potential to develop new skills. Hence, when the opportunity arose, he was selected for an apprenticeship collaboration programme – a first between the DAC and SPD Sheltered Workshop – where trainees are exposed to leathercraft and work readiness training.
The route to mastering a new skill
To support this transition, a multi-disciplinary team consisting of SPD’s occupational therapist, training officer, psychologist and workshop supervisor worked closely to develop a tailored training plan to ease him into the new environment. One of the strategies included providing visual support which helped Joel understand the structure of a typical workday, and what to expect of it.
The team also partnered with Joel’s parents and helper to encourage family-centred practices, such as practising community mobility goals at home. This co-ordinated support helped Joel to gradually settle into the new routines and increase his number of training hours at the Sheltered Workshop.
Through the programme, Joel learnt to stitch and create market-ready quality leather products that are sold under the Artisan Collab by SPD brand. He also developed habits needed in a work environment, such as following structured schedules, maintaining a neat and orderly personal workspace and approaching his supervisors for help.
Cindy Tan, his workshop supervisor said: “With adequate support in place, Joel has adapted well to his job responsibilities. He takes pride in his work, evident in the quality of his stitching, which reflects the focus and care he puts into each piece, as well as in keeping his workspace organised. These are important habits that support his development in a work environment.”
Achieving milestones not just at work, but also in the community
Beyond the workplace, Joel has grown more confident navigating the community. He now commutes independently between his home and the SPD Ability Centre, demonstrating greater road safety awareness. He also manages his money and buys his own meals, and sometimes offering his friends at the centre to buy theirs too.
With the continued support of his family and the teams at SPD, Joel continues to build confidence and excel in his daily routines, both at work and in the community.
*SPD’s Day Activity Centre and Sheltered Workshop have transitioned and are now operating as the Enabling Skills for Life Programme (ESLP) from October 2025.