What it is


Youths for Autism (YFA) is an internship programme that is meaningfully structured within the special education sector. The internship duration should preferably be six months and above. This is to enable learning and contribution.

We welcome you to join us if you have a passion for working in the special needs community and belong to one of these categories:

  1. Students waiting to enter university after their A levels or Polytechnic education
  2. Male students waiting to start National Service
  3. Males waiting to further their studies after completing National Service
  4. Polytechnic or University students pursuing an internship opportunity
  5. Fresh university graduates on a gap year and wishing to pursue something meaningful and impactful
  6. Mid-career professionals wishing to pursue different options in life, including something meaningful and impactful
  7. Have an interest for using Info-communication Technology (ICT) tools to create teaching resources.

Why join us?


"BECAUSE IT MATTERS"

Making a difference to the lives of students with autism

We recognise your potential to serve through your enthusiasm, vibrancy and fresh ideas. You can use these skills to help our students learn as you work alongside our teachers and therapists. This includes teaching our students social skills and life skills that help them be more independent and life-ready.

As a YFA intern, you form a critical part of the support network for our students. In short, you will make a difference to their lives.

We look forward to your contribution in impacting the lives of our students with autism.

Making a difference to your life

This internship will provide you an opportunity to experience working in this community. You will gain exposure and learn the various ways to help students with Autism progress - academically and socially. You will learn first-hand about the challenges that students with autism faced. Some of these challenges are not easy to overcome: lack of societal awareness, job discrimination. Along the way, you will see our students grow. And you will grow with them.

Ex-YFA interns say this journey has been 'transformational' and 'life-changing' for them. Many also forged strong bonds with their peers and return to support the students, despite their busy schedules. We warmly welcome you to experience this yourself.

Make a difference to your life by making a difference to others!

What I do?


You May Be Involved In:

Information & Communications Technology (ICT)

Information & Communications Technology (ICT) Support

As part of 21st Century learning, the school is moving towards digitalising teaching resources and encouraging the use of ICT in lessons. Our teachers and therapists will benefit as they gain a better understanding of each student as you videotape their learning progress in class.

You can increase your technological portfolio as you will pick up skills such as video production, video editing and digital design to help in creating digital resources to enhance and expand our teaching tools.

Educational Projects

Educational Projects

Play a part in supporting our school's special events and the students' learning journey as you are assigned into Event and Subject Committees. Work together with our educators to plan, execute and implement exciting activities for our students.

You will also build learning support programmes, and develop teaching and learning resources to enhance the students' experiential learning.

Teaching & Learning Support

Teaching & Learning Support

You will be taught strategies to engage students so that they focus and learn.

In class, you will work closely with teachers by managing the behaviours of students and helping them learn. You also provide differentiated, one-to-one intensive support to those who require more help.

Hear from others!


It is not just any other internship!

Read what our ex-YFAs have to say about the programme.
The internship gave me opportunity to interact with students, which helped me understand and develop a greater passion and purpose in working with students on the spectrum.
~ Emma Tan, YFA 2023

Where I go?


As an YFA intern, you will support students in class and outside of class. You will teach, guide, mentor, and nurture the students, working hand-in-hand with classroom teachers and therapists to benefit students with autism in the following organizations:

Autism Resource Centre (S)

Autism Resource Centre (Singapore)

Autism Resource Centre (Singapore) is a non-profit organisation started by volunteers, dedicated to serve children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder to help them lead meaningful lives in society. ARC(S) aims to highlight the needs of these individuals and to increase understanding and awareness of autism in the community.

  • Pathlight School is the first autism-focused school in Singapore that provides a blend of mainstream education and life-readiness skills for individuals with autism. It takes in students from ages 6 to 18 years old with mild to moderate autism. Most of the students are taught mainstream academics and take national examinations (eg: PSLE, 'N' and 'O' Levels), while a selected group of students are taught vocational skills.
  • Employment and Employability Centre (E2C) aims to provide necessary job training and support so that persons with autism can perform optimally in the workforce.
  • WeCAN Early Intervention Programme provides direct intervention to young children with autism aged 2 to 6 years old and is the first internationally accredited early intervention programme in Asia by the National Autistic Society, United Kingdom since 2008.

Autism Association (Singapore)

Autism Association (Singapore)

Autism Association (Singapore) is a charity organization under the Charities Act, Singapore. It was originally set up through the initiative of a group of parents. It aims to initiate, organise and support provision of a broad spectrum of services for people with autism in Singapore. These services encompass education, vocational and life skills training and residential care.

  • Eden School is a vocational school which takes in students from ages 7 to 18 years old with moderate to severe autism. They are taught vocational skills and life-readiness skills which help them cope with day to day living.
  • Eden Centre for Adults serves individuals with autism who have completed their special school programs.
  • Eden Children's Centre provides early intervention programs for children aged 2-6 years old diagnosed to be on the Autism spectrum.

Tell me more!


This full-time internship is open to the following groups of young adults who can preferably commit 6 months of their time:

  1. Students waiting to enter university after their A levels or Polytechnic education
  2. Male students waiting to start National Service
  3. Males waiting to further their studies after completing National Service
  4. Polytechnic or University students pursuing an internship opportunity
  5. Fresh university graduates on a gap year and wishing to pursue something meaningful and impactful
  6. Mid-career professionals wishing to pursue different options in life, including something meaningful and impactful
  7. Have an interest for using Info-communication Technology (ICT) tools to create teaching resources.

Yes, all applicants are required to submit an application form. Shortlisted applicants will be contacted to come for an interview.

We regret that due to limited resources, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

The YFA internship programme usually receives an overwhelming response. We encourage you to apply as early as possible.

Applicants should preferably apply a minimum of two months before the commencement of the internship. For instance, if you are available from January to June next year, please apply by October this year.

If you are unable to do so, please contact Kristy Ho for a discussion.

The bulk of interviews will be held in end-July to August, and/or mid-September to October for those interested to serve from Jan to June the following year.

We note that JC students must sit for their Prelims and A'level examinations. We will steer clear of these dates for the interviews.

Interviews will be held from April to June for those interested to serve from July to November.

Yes, you will still need to apply.

Each year, we write to school principals and civics tutors requesting them to nominate exceptional students interested to pursue an internship in special education.

However, student nominees will still need to go through the application process. We will offer the internship to applicants who are suitable and qualified.

There is no need for you to fill up the application form at this moment. But you can register your interest here.

We will be contacting you closer to your ORD date.

We usually prefer interns who can commit for six months. If you are unable to do so, yet have strong interest to serve as an YFA intern, please contact Kristy Ho for a discussion.

Alternatively, we also welcome you to volunteer with us.

Preference is given to applicants who can commit to the duration for these reasons:

  • YFA interns will first undergo intensive training in autism intervention strategies.
  • They will also need sufficient time to know the students well. This ensures that they can work with them effectively.
  • It can be highly disruptive in terms of learning for our students if YFA interns change frequently.

If you are unable to do so, yet have strong interest to serve as an YFA intern, please contact Kristy Ho for a discussion.

Interns are deployed to departments based on the respective needs of the participating organizations and interns' suitability.

For more details of participating organisations, please refer to "Where I Go"

The number varies from year to year depending on the total demand of the organizations.

Yes, knowledge in autism is not required as training on autism will be provided to you. You will be equipped with strategies on how to interact and work with students with autism.

Education-related projects vary from year to year but in general, YFA interns will be involved in the following projects:

  1. Building novel learning support programmes for students
  2. Developing teaching and learning resources
  3. Chronicling students' progress through videos
  4. Organizing special events for the school

Yes, YFA interns are allowed to take leave or time off to settle university admission matters.

The existing school policy is that staff are not allowed to take leave during the School term.

As such, we encourage both staff and YFA interns not to take leave for travel plans during these six months to minimise disruption to our students.

S$1400 per month for each successful candidate (inclusive of employee's CPF contribution)

Apply Now!


The selection process to become YFA is rigorous. Beyond grades, we are looking for passionate, dedicated individuals committed to the cause of special education. CCA and CIP achievements will demonstrate that you have the tenacity and 'heartware' to outlast the demands of the work.

Internship Period

End Dec 2024 to End May/ Jun 2025*

End Jun 2025 to End Nov/ Dec 2025*
      (Applications open from 1 Feb 2025)

* Dates subject to slight changes.

Full 5 to 6 months of commitment required

7.30am – 4.30pm / 8am – 5pm / 9am – 6pm^,
      Mondays to Fridays

^ Depending on organisation and department you are assigned to.

Salary

S$1400 per month for each successful applicant (inclusive of employee's CPF contribution)

Internship Application

Limited Vacancies Available. APPLY TODAY!
  Apply for Internship at
ARC(S) & Pathlight School
  Apply for Internship at
AA(S) & Eden School

 

 

Register your interest