2020

1) Peer Supporter Level 1 Training – Nanyang Polytechnic

The Social Factor conducted 5 full-day sessions of Peer Supporter Level 1 Training. The programme had the following objectives:

  1. To train students who are selected and trained for the purpose of offering a supportive relationship to befriend and help other students with personal issues;
  2. For students to learn how to clarify their thoughts and feelings; exploring options, and alternatives;
  3. For students to define their own solutions.

2) Sensory Profile Workshop  – Ikari Services Pte Ltd

The Social Factor conducted a sensory profile workshop for leadership staff of Ikari Services Pte. Ltd. The workshop explored the importance of sensory issues and allowed participants to understand more about the seven senses, to be better aware of their sensory needs, and to learn ways on how to manage stress in reference to their sensory profile.

3) CHIJ (Kellock) ADHD Workshop for Teachers

This virtual workshop was part of the CHIJ (Kellock) Learning Festival and had the following objectives:

  1. To help participants have a better understanding of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and the etiology of the disorder; and 
  2. To learn about various classroom strategies that can be used to help students with ADHD. 

4) Virtual Support Group on Knowing More About Yourself – Ngee Ann Polytechnic 

This was one of 4 support group sessions that The Social Factor conducted for Ngee Ann Polytechnic students under the Zest Up Programme. These small group sessions were intended to help students deal with issues such as identity and self esteem.

5) Virtual Support Group on Connecting with Others – Ngee Ann Polytechnic 

This was one of 4 support group sessions that The Social Factor is conducting for Ngee Ann Polytechnic students under the Zest Up Programme. These small group sessions were intended to help students deal with topics such as social skills and conflict management.

6) Para-counselling Training for Peer Support Leaders – Republic Polytechnic 

The Social Factor is conducting 3 runs of these 2-day workshops for Peer Support Leaders in Republic Polytechnic for the year 2020, with an option to conduct another 4 runs in 2021. In addition to basic listening and friendship skills, the students will also learn more advanced therapeutic approaches to help their friends in need deal with various wellness issues. 

7) Virtual Support Group on Overcoming Negative Thoughts – Ngee Ann Polytechnic 

This was one of 4 support group sessions that The Social Factor conducted for Ngee Ann Polytechnic students under the Zest Up Programme. These small group sessions were intended to help students deal with issues such as negative thinking and stress management. 

8) Virtual Workshop on “How to Build Your Child’s Self Esteem” for Parents of Students with SEN – Pei Cai Secondary School 

The workshop focussed on helping parents have a better understanding of how they can build their children’s sense of self-worth. It discussed issues of self-esteem and how this impacts the success a child with special needs can achieve. The workshop also discussed how parenting styles influence the development of the child’s self-worth, and examined aspects of transition from Primary to Secondary School. 

9) From Tweens to Teens: Preparing My Child for Puberty for St Andrew’s Autism Centre Parent Support Group 

The workshop had the following objectives:

  1. To help participants build resilience for their parenting journey; 
  2. To help parents have a better understanding of the physical, emotional and social issues
    related to the development of their child with special needs; and 
  3. To help parents to walk with their children through the puberty years and to equip them
    with the necessary skills to discuss issues related to relationships and sexuality

10) Mental Wellness e-Workshops for Polytechnic Students – Nanyang Polytechnic

The Social Factor conducted a series of 46 virtual workshops for 1st Year Students at Nanyang Polytechnic. The curriculum for the 2-hour workshops was developed by the Ministry of Education, and students learnt about the various mental illnesses and were equipped to recognise signs of distress. They also learned support strategies for themselves and their peers.

11) Curriculum Development for Modules on Special Needs for Braveheart.Sg – Big Red Button

The Social Factor developed a series of 5 modules on Special Needs for Braveheart.Sg, a website which was set up to support Singaporeans during the difficult Covid season. The modules are as follows:

  1. The Journey Begins
  2. Onboard the Spectrum Train
  3. Sensory Landscapes
  4. The Emotional Rollercoaster
  5. Learning with ADHD

12) Understanding the Birds & the Bees – Helping my Child with Special Needs Understand Love & Sexuality – Church of Our Saviour

Growing up is hard – and sometimes doubly difficult for parents and caregivers. How can parents help their children as they hit puberty and balance between providing them a space to explore and keeping them safe? This virtual workshop addresses the psychosocial development of teens and issues commonly associated with puberty. 

This workshop had the following goals:

1) To help participants build resilience for their parenting journey;

2) To help parents have a better understanding of the physical, emotional and social issues related to the development of their child with special needs; and

3) To help parents to walk with their children through the puberty years and to equip them with the necessary skills to discuss issues related to relationships and sexuality.

13) Church of Praise, Johor Bahru, Malaysia – Workshop for Understanding & Helping Persons with Special Needs

The Social Factor conducted a virtual workshop to help church members better understand and help persons with special educational needs. These were the topics covered:

Topics Covered
Special Needs – Characteristics & Concerns; Terms of Reference
Sensing the World Around: From the Eyes of a Child with Special Needs
Sensory Processing Disorder – Characteristics & Etiology
Vestibular & Proprioception: the Lesser-known Senses
Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) & Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
How Can I Help? A Roleplay

14) e-Workshops on Active Listening  – Ikari Services Pte Ltd

The Social Factor conducted monthly e-workshops for employees of Ikari Services Pte Ltd. The workshops had the following objectives:

1. To understand the importance of holistic wellbeing. 

2. To gain a better understanding of themselves; of how their life experiences have affected the person whom they are. 

3. To understand the importance of empathy. 

4. To learn active listening and effective friendship skills in order to be a better help to their
colleagues.

15) Homeschool e-Convention 2020 – Homeschool Singapore

The Social Factor collaborated with Homeschool Singapore to organise its first-ever e-Convention. Originally intended to be a face-to-face event, the Convention went completely online in the wake of a worsening Covid-19 situation. The 2-day event comprised Keynote and High School Day Speeches, a Homeschool Village featuring 20 concurrent facilitated breakout sessions, and a Curriculum Fair with more than 60 virtual booths.

16) Community of Praise Baptist Church – Workshop for Understanding & Helping Persons with Special Needs

The Social Factor conducted a workshop to help church members better understand and help persons with special educational needs. These were the topics covered:

Topics Covered
Special Needs – Characteristics & Concerns; Terms of Reference
Sensing the World Around: From the Eyes of a Child with Special Needs
Sensory Processing Disorder – Characteristics & Etiology
Vestibular & Proprioception: the Lesser-known Senses
Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) & Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
How Can I Help? A Roleplay

17) Ministry of Education E4 School Cluster – Workshop for Allied Educators on Sensory Play

The workshop had the following objectives:

  1. To help participants better understand the sensory pyramid and how it affects learning;
  2. To help participants better understand the ethology of Sensory Processing Disorder as well as lesser known senses such as proprioception and vestibulation; and
  3. To help participants understand sensory play and engage in effective strategies to help children in the classroom and school setting.

18) Northland Secondary School – Dyslexia Workshop for Teachers

The Social Factor ran a workshop for 90 teachers with the following topics covered:

Topics to be Covered
Dyslexia – Characteristics & Concerns; Terms of Reference
Falling Letters: From the Eyes of a Child with Special Needs
Dyslexia – Characteristics & Etiology
Classroom Strategies
How Can I Help? A Roleplay
Building a Nurturing & Inclusive Environment for Students with Dyslexia