Read on for recent news and updates!
WFOT sign-ups are coming back! 🌍🙌 You asked, we listened — WFOT membership sign-ups reopen on 18 July 2025 (in conjunction with SAOT AGM), exclusively for active SAOT members! Not a member yet? Hurry — our SAOT membership promo ends 30 June 2025!
Congratulations to our incredible SAOT SpOTlight Award Nominees! We’re honoured and excited to celebrate Desiree, Nani, and Li Wen — their passion and dedication to OT are truly inspiring! 💛
08 Apr 2025 More wheelchair- and elder-friendly features – such as ramps, larger lifts and more seating areas – must be provided in new buildings
Members only The principal investigator for each application must be an individual member of WFOT. (Sign up for WFOT membership here)
Sometimes, the smallest gestures reflect the biggest wins. For Lim Yu Jie, an occupational therapist at Rainbow Centre, success is measured not just by functional milestones – but by moments of connection. A smile. A high five. A child reaching out for a hug. That
Recognizing Excellence in Occupational Therapy The Singapore Association of Occupational Therapists (SAOT) is proud to honor outstanding professionals through two distinguished awards —
Dear Occupational Therapists, We are thrilled to invite you to the National Occupational Therapy Conference (NOTC) 2025, happening on 26th July 2025!
We are excited to share that Assoc. Prof Tan Bhing Leet has been awarded the 2023 Connie Lieber Science to Practice Award – Cognitive Remediation in Psychiatry. Congratulations! 🎖
Bringing others along, as she progresses through learning
Photo Credit: Brand Studio. (2021). CONTRIBUTING TO THE PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITY [Image]. Retrieved 22 September 2021, from https://www.channelnewsasia.com/bringing-others-along-she-progresses-through-learning-2060106.
An interview feature of our Inspiring Occupational Therapists Award 2019 winner – Senior Principal Occupational Therapist Florence Cheong from Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH).
Florence was previously President of SAOT, current Head of Occupational Therapy Department at TTSH, and now a recipient of the SkillsFuture Fellowships Award in 2020! Read more about her journey towards embracing lifelong learning not only for herself, but also in cultivating a learning culture and mindset within her department.
Read more about Florence’s journey here: Bringing others along, as she progresses through learning
Photo Credit: Screen Grab from Channel NewsAsia, as cited in Wong, P. (2018). NMP Chia Yong Yong choked back tears as she spoke in parliament during the motion on the future of Singapore’s education system. She was driving home the point that children with disabilities or special needs should get a chance to participate effectively as members of society. Retrieved 22 September 2021, from https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/mps-call-integration-special-needs-and-mainstream-students.
Nominated Member of Parliament Chia Yong Yong recounted her growing up years as a student with peroneal muscular atrophy within the mainstream education system, to advance the motion of an inclusive and integrated learning environment for children of different abilities. In support of her parliamentary statement, SAOT had submitted a Statement on Inclusive Education in Singapore to NMP Chia Yong Yong.
SAOT will like to acknowledge Dr May Lim, Dr Karina Dancza, Ms Corrine Hoo and SAOT Council members for their contributions to the statement.
Interested to find out what has been included in NMP Chia Yong Yong’s parliamentary speech?
Read NMP Chia Yong Yong’s Speech here: Education for our future – Parliamentary Speech by SPD President
Read SAOT’s Statement here: Inclusive education in Singapore_SAOT.pdf
An OT’s Journey with Breast Cancer Survivors
Screen Grab from Youtube Video: TomorowsMed. (2016). SHQSA 2016 Superstar Award – Allied Health: Nancy Ang [Video]. Retrieved 22 September 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnXmmIlJVbQ.
Senior Principal Occupational Therapist Nancy Ang from Department of Occupational Therapy, Singapore General Hospital, won the Superstar Award at the Singapore Health Quality Service Awards 2016.
Learn about her perspectives as an Occupational Therapist working with Breast Cancer survivors through the link here: SHQSA 2016 Superstar Award – Allied Health: Nancy Ang
More therapists ‘may ease negative impact of dementia
Photo Credit: Lau, F. (2015). Ms Anna Lee made a patient an overcoat full of things like buttons and strings that he could fiddle with instead of pinching himself. Retrieved 22 September 2021, from https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/more-therapists-may-ease-negative-impact-of-dementia.
An article in The Straits Times shares how occupational therapists can help to delay the progression of mild cognitive impairments through engagement and participation in meaningful daily and instrumental activities for seniors. Environmental design to maintain a senior’s independence and use of sensory strategies for behavioural management as part of OT interventions were also mentioned!
Read on to find out more! More therapists ‘may ease negative impact of dementia.
