Educational Qualifications

2019
Doctor of Philosophy in Special Education, Nanyang Technological University
Dissertation: A Study on the Perceptions of Parents and Teachers on Savant Skills of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

1997
Master of Education. University of Melbourne

1993
Post Graduate Diploma in Special Education. University of British Columbia

1992
Bachelor of Education. University of British Columbia

1989
Bachelor of Arts. University of British Columbia

Academic and Professional Experience

2019 - Present
Head of Special Education, NSHD, Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS)

2017 - 2019
Assistant Divisional Director, Thye Hua Kwan Moral Charities

1998 - 2016
Teacher, School Principal and Curriculum Planner, Ministry of Education (MOE)

1994 - 1998
Special Education Teacher, Dover Court International School

Awards and Honours

April 2026Enabling Lived Expertise: A Caregivers-Led Learning Conference. By SG Enable. 

July 2025
Creating equitable opportunities through art. Simposium RKI 2025, Bandung, Indonesia.
November 2024
A pilot study on the role of community involvement for youths with higher needs exiting special education schools in Singapore. Participation - Inclusion Action Conference, Singapore.
November 2024
Helping an Unmotivated Child with Autism Connect and Learn. Neuro-Developmental Support and Identification. Jakarta, Indonesia.
October 2024
A Feasibility Study of a Strength Based Curriculum for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Indonesia Autism Summit. University of Muhammadiyah Malang, Malang, Indonesia.

September 2019
A Study on the Perceptions of Parents Savant Skills of Individuals with ASD’. Keynote Speaker. World Congress on Down Syndrome, Autism & Cerebral Palsy, Tokyo, Japan.

Selected Publications

Journals

Tan, C. K., Tan, E. M. Y., Chen, E., Ang, D., Vincent, F., Raveendran, J., & Yong, Z. (in press). Evaluating the psychosocial impact of AI social robots on children with high support needs. Journal of Special Education Technology. 

Tan, T., Tay, W. T., Tan, E. M. Y., & Lim, L. J. K. (in press). Teacher efficacy and occupational burnout in special education: A review for theory and practice in the Singapore context. In Education Journal. 

Tan, E. M. Y. (in press). The attitudes of special education teachers towards strength-based approaches in Singapore. Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs. 

Tan, E. M. Y. (in press). Recognising and nurturing savant talents in individuals with autism spectrum disorder: Implications for strengths-based educational frameworks. International Journal of Inclusive Education. 

Tan, E. M. Y. (2025). Savant syndrome and autism spectrum disorder: A literature review. Asia Pacific Journal of Developmental Differences, 12(2), 332-347. Link

Tan, E. M. Y. (2024). Insights from teachers regarding the implementation of strength-based pedagogies for students with special needs. International Teaching and Education Conference. Link

Tan, E. M. Y. (2024). Implications of Savant Syndrome for Cognitive Neuroscience and Education: Bridging Insights from Extraordinary Abilities to Learning Enhancement. International Journal of Research & Development, 9(6). Link

Tan, E. M.Y. & Kuo, M.C.C. (2024). Educator Attitudes of Strength-Based Education for Persons with Special Needs. International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research, 6(3). Link

Tan, E. M. Y. & Kuo, M.C.C. (2024). Enhancing Developmental Resilience in Children with Special Needs through a Strength-Based Paradigm. International Journal for Innovation Education and Research, 12(1). Link

Tan, E. M. Y. & Kuo, M.C.C. (2024). Supporting the Wellbeing of Children with Special Needs through Strength-Based Curriculum. International Journal for Innovation Education and Research, 12(1). Link

Tan, E. M. Y. (2024). The Relationship Between Autism Spectrum Disorder Traits And Exceptional Abilities: Insights Into The Savant Syndrome. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, 10(4). Link

Tan, E. M. Y. (2024). Myth vs. Reality: Examining Common Misconceptions Surrounding Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, 6(2), 1-3. Link

Tan, E. M. Y. (2024). Psychological Accounts For The Difficulties Experienced By Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder. International Journal of Research and Development, 9(1), 238-241. Link

Tan, E. M. Y. (2023). Improving and Facilitating Enhancement in Terms of Care for Adults with Disabilities in Singapore. In M. Kefalaki (Ed.), Responses to Global Challenges on Education and Communication (pp. 38-39). Athens, Greece: Communication Institute of Greece. Link

Seah, V. Y. Z. & Tan, E. M. Y. (2023). Nudging for Improved Academic Performance and Motivation in Higher Learning Institutions. International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research (IJMR), 9(5), 74-77. Link

Tan, E. M. Y. & Poon, K.K.L. (2023). A Literature Summary on the Typology of Giftedness Among Savants. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development, 10(4), 19-22.

Tan, E. M. Y. & Chia, I. (2023). An Overview of the Landscape of Adults with Disabilities in Singapore. A Literature Review. International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research, 9(1), 150-152.

Books

Tan, E. M. Y. & Krishnan, P. (2025). Social experiences of children with special needs in Singapore. Pearson.

Tan, E. M. Y. (2025). Christopher is loved. Self-published.

Edited Books and Book Chapters

Chia, I., & Tan, E. M. Y. (2023). Unleashing the Artistic Ability of Students with Special Needs: Towards an Ability-Driven Paradigm in Special Education. In V. Zhuang, M.E. Wong, & D. Goodley (Eds.), Not Without Us: Perspectives on Disability and Inclusion in Singapore. Ethos Books.

Op-eds and Commentaries

Penutupan Sekolah Vokasional Mountbatten cetus kebimbangan. Berita Mediacorp. 2nd Oct 2025. Link

Tan, E. M. Y. (2024, April 20). Don’t isolate kids with autism, involve them in regular activities. The Straits Times. Link

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