Collaborative ABA Therapy for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

About ADHD & How We Support Your Child

collaborative ABA Therapy for ADHD in Singapore

Understanding ADHD

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how the brain develops and functions, particularly in areas that control attention, hyperactivity, and impulse control. In Singapore, getting a proper ADHD diagnosis involves understanding the symptoms, causes, and different subtypes of this condition.

ADHD presents differently in each child. The 3 main types are:

Understanding which type your child has helps tailor the most effective treatment approach.

Gain an in-depth understanding of ADHD, navigating the support landscape in Singapore, and options for your child in our in-depth ADHD guide.

How ABA Therapy Helps

Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) is a research-backed method that helps children with ADHD develop practical skills through structured, positive reinforcement. It is one of the most widely used and evidence-based approaches for autism intervention.

At our centre, ABA therapy is:

Parents often find ABA especially effective because it breaks down complex skills into manageable steps, making learning clear and achievable for children who may otherwise struggle in group settings.

Why Families Choose Tesserae for ADHD Support

At Tesserae, we believe that collaborative ABA is highly effective for children with ADHD. That’s because ABA focuses on building practical skills, strengthening positive behaviors, and teaching strategies that help children regulate themselves across different settings.

For children with ADHD, this structured and evidence-based approach supports attention, self-management, and prosocial skills that are essential for learning and daily life. 

We focus on helping you see improvements in: 

Attention & Focus

Support your child in building sustained attention so they can concentrate on tasks without getting easily distracted

Impulse Control

Help your child pause before acting, manage impulses, and make more thoughtful choices in daily situations.

Emotional Regulation

Guide your child to recognise their feelings and develop calming strategies when emotions run high.

Working Memory

Strengthen your child’s ability to hold and use information, supporting learning, problem-solving, and following multi-step instructions.

Organisation & Planning

Make it easier for your child to start and complete tasks, keep track of belongings, and manage daily routines.

Academic Readiness

Develop learning habits such as listening, following classroom rules, and applying study skills that make school more manageable.

Key tenets of ABA therapy at Tesserae

Respect for your child’s autonomy

We empower children through choice and collaboration, never by forcing compliance.

Positive 1-1 reinforcement only

Our 1-1 home-based or centre-based therapy is compassionate and engaging, with zero use of punishment or aversive methods.

Neurodiversity-affirming

We celebrate strengths, focus on quality of life, and never aim to “fix” ADHD or suppress natural behaviours.

Clinical excellence

All programmes are carried out by highly qualified BCBAs and BCBA-Ds, ensuring ethical, evidence-based care.

Holistic collaboration for continuity of support

Our collaborative ABA model works closely with our ecosystem of partners in speech therapy, occupational therapy, and more, giving families consistent, coordinated support. 

Our Process

Book a free discovery session

Get in touch with us and book your initial consultation. We’ll respond within 1 working day so we can start supporting your child without delay.

20-min Discovery Session

Meet with one of our BCBAs to gain a preliminary understanding of your child’s background, strengths, and challenges, as well as how we can support your child.

Detailed Screening & Consultation (if necessary)

Our team uses structured tools and observations to assess your child’s current skills. From this, we design a customised plan that matches your child’s needs, learning style, and personality.

Therapy Begins

Once therapy starts, we set clear goals (IEP) and review progress regularly. Parents receive updates through monthly reports and session notes, so you know exactly how your child is growing. Data is recorded daily to ensure progress is measurable and consistent.

Click to learn more about ADHD or our screening process.

FAQs

In Singapore, ADHD is recognised as a neurodevelopmental condition that can impact learning, behaviour, and daily functioning. However, unlike conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Global Developmental Delay (GDD), ADHD is not always automatically classified as a disability under government frameworks. Whether it is treated as a disability often depends on the severity of challenges and the context (education, employment, or social services).

  • ADHD – Seen as a neurodevelopmental condition; may qualify for Special Educational Needs (SEN) support in schools, but not always formally labelled a “disability” unless symptoms are severe.

  • ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) – More consistently recognised as a developmental disability; children often qualify for early intervention, school accommodations, and support services.

  • GDD (Global Developmental Delay) – Typically classified as a disability due to broad delays across multiple developmental domains; usually eligible for government-funded support and intervention programmes.

In short, ADHD sits in a grey area: it is recognised and supported in schools and therapy settings, but compared to ASD or GDD, it is less often formally treated as a disability unless the impact is significant.

Treatment for ADHD in Singapore combines multiple approaches tailored to each child’s needs. The goal isn’t to “cure” ADHD but to help children manage symptoms and reach their full potential through various interventions.

The 3 main types of therapy that support children with ADHD are:

  1. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy: Focuses on helping children with ADHD improve focus, follow routines, and manage impulsive behaviours. Using clear structure and positive reinforcement, ABA builds skills step by step.

  2. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Conducted by clinical psychologists is particularly helpful for older children and teenagers with ADHD. It teaches them to recognise negative thought patterns and develop problem-solving skills. CBT can address anxiety or low self-esteem that often develops alongside ADHD.

  3. Occupational Therapy (OT): This helps by focusing on how a child interacts with their environment and routines. Specific interventions include organizing physical space, task materials, using sensory supports, managing transitions, planning daily tasks, and supporting executive functioning skills (time management, task completion, perceptual-motor skills). 

 

At Tesserae, we believe in collaborative ABA and working with other therapists to create the best outcomes for children with ADHD. That’s because ABA focuses on building practical skills, strengthening positive behaviors, and teaching strategies that help children regulate themselves across different settings. 

A screening involves using questionnaires and rating scales to identify individuals who might have ADHD. It’s a preliminary step that helps determine if a full diagnostic evaluation is necessary, and provides good guidance on the support required.

A diagnosis, on the other hand, is a clinical process conducted by a qualified healthcare professional, such as a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist. It involves a thorough evaluation that includes:

  • Detailed interviews with the individual and their family to gather information about symptoms, developmental history, and functional impairment.

  • Review of medical and school records to identify early signs and rule out other conditions.

  • Psychological testing to assess for co-occurring conditions like anxiety or learning disabilities.

 

This comprehensive approach helps to confirm the presence of ADHD and rule out other potential causes of the symptoms.

Want to find out more about supporting your child with ADHD?

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. If you have concerns about your child’s development, please consult with a qualified healthcare professional for proper assessment and guidance.

Book a free discovery session with us