Singapore Association of Occupational Therapists (SAOT)

22/01/2026

WFOT 2026 Membership Registration is Now Open! -

Copyright (C) 2026 Singapore Association of Occupational Therapists. All rights reserved.Our mailing address is:saot@live.comWant to change how you receive these emails?You can update your preferences or unsubscribe

19/01/2026

As health and social care continue to change, occupational therapy’s role remains clear:�enabling safe, meaningful participation where life happens.Through ongoing dialogue, collaboration, and professional leadership, SAOT supports the profession in contributing thoughtfully to evolving models of care.Together, we continue to shape a future where participation, dignity, and everyday life remain at the centre.Image from SAOT - Four OTs honoured at NCSS 40-under-40 2025.

17/01/2026

Progress is often measured in small moments:�a safer commute, a return to work, confidence at home, or participation in community life.Behind these moments is careful assessment, problem-solving, and collaboration — with individuals, families, and teams.Occupational therapy makes everyday participation possible, even when challenges are complex.Image from The Straits Times - Beyond a job offer: Job coach on helping persons with disabilities build careers (23 June 2025)

15/01/2026

Not all risks are obvious.Some only emerge in real life — when cognition, behaviour, environment, and routines interact.Occupational therapists are trained to recognise these hidden risks and support participation without unnecessary restriction.This is where professional judgement matters most — not just following protocols, but understanding how people actually live.Image from The Straits Times - Therapists’ hands tied helping patients get back on track (31st March 2015)

14/01/2026

Participation isn’t just about doing tasks.It’s about making decisions, taking risks safely, and engaging in life roles that matter.Occupational therapists work with people to navigate real-world challenges — at home, at work, and in the community — where environments, habits, and expectations all intersect.This is the heart of occupational therapy:supporting participation that is meaningful, safe, and sustainable. Image from The Straits Times - Toys with adapted switches help children with disabilities play like other kids

11/01/2026

Happy OT Day 2026 — OT in Action.

As care continues to evolve, occupational therapists focus on what matters most:
enabling people to participate safely and meaningfully in everyday life.

Across hospitals, homes, schools, workplaces, and communities, OTs support decision-making, independence, and dignity — where real life happens.

This OT Day, we’re sharing what OT in Action looks like today, and why it matters for the future of care.

OT in Action — enabling participation in a changing care landscape.

Image 1: The Straits times - “A simple high five…” (16 Feb 2025)

Image 2: Berita Harian - “Ahli therapist kerja…” (11 Nov 2025)

Image 3: CNA - “Behind the work in…” (9 Jan 2026)

03/01/2026

Pediatrics SIG [22 January 2026]: Rethinking the Trajectories of Neurodevelopmental Disorders - https://mailchi.mp/proinvest.com.sg/pediatrics-sig-22-january-2026-rethinking-the-trajectories-of-neurodevelopmental-disorders

30/11/2025

OTs have shared strong, thoughtful feedback in the past weeks — and your voices are shaping how SAOT represents our profession in the national Allied Health Training Pathways.

Earlier today, MOH released a public update on the new AHP training pathway. As details continue to evolve, SAOT remains focused on what matters most:
💡 Clear scope boundaries for safe, high‑quality care
💡 Respect for each profession’s specialised depth and identity
💡 Sustainable workforce development and equitable expectations
💡 Competency‑based shared‑care models that reflect real practice

🔗 Read MOH’s clarification here: https://hpp.moh.gov.sg/allied-health-professionals/allied-health-training-pathways/

To prepare for SAOT's next engagement session with MOH/CAHOO this Tuesday, we’re running a short follow‑up survey to gather practical, evidence‑informed examples from you — the clinicians on the ground.

Your responses will help us advocate accurately, constructively, and confidently for the profession we all care for.

📝 Survey link: https://forms.gle/Rbr8QdD2kW7rqm779
🕒 ~15 minutes
🔒 Anonymous

Thank you for your leadership, clarity, and commitment to patient‑centred care.
Together, we strengthen not only our profession — but the system we serve.

25/11/2025

SAOT Clarifies Allied Health Training Pathways in Straits Times Forum

Our Forum Letter on recent Allied Health training pathway discussions has been published in The Straits Times. This clarifies public understanding of OT education, professional standards and the depth of accredited OT training in Singapore.

With growing interest in modular learning, shared competencies and evolving workforce models, SAOT remains committed to ensuring that these conversations accurately reflect each profession’s distinct roles and requirements.

Key points we highlighted:
🔹 Protected professional pathways: OT, PT and SLT each have accredited education, competencies and scopes defined under existing frameworks.
🔹 Depth of OT training: OT education spans physical, cognitive, psychosocial, developmental and community-based domains—training that cannot be replaced by short or modular courses.
🔹 Shared competencies ≠ replacement: Foundational skills support integrated care, but must complement each profession’s accredited depth.
🔹 Public clarity protects safety: Clear communication strengthens trust in the standards that underpin safe, high-quality OT practice.

This publication reflects SAOT’s continued advocacy, public engagement and commitment to safeguarding professional standards in Singapore.

🙏 Thank you to our OT community for your unity and thoughtful engagement—your voices strengthen our collective advocacy.

🟡 Read the full letter in the Straits Times Forum section.
— SAOT Council

22/11/2025

Following MOH’s recent announcement on the training overhaul for allied health professionals, SAOT would like to reassure our members that we are actively engaging sectorial leaders and stakeholders to understand its impact on the OT profession.

We have also begun exploratory discussions with the Singapore Physiotherapy Association (SPA) to consider a coordinated response to media houses. In addition, SAOT will seek public platforms to address rising queries and clarify public misperceptions, given the significant number of concerns raised in the last 48 hours.

Our priority remains clear: to ensure OT perspectives, roles and identity are represented as more details emerge. We are also monitoring how potential changes may affect OT training pathways, scopes of practice and clinical roles.

We are heartened by how the OT community has come together—across hospitals, SSAs, private practices and academia—to share reflections with care and professionalism. Your voices matter, and they guide our advocacy.

SAOT will provide further updates as soon as more information becomes available.
Have questions or concerns? Share them with us: https://forms.gle/Cw9BT78WZSNqRi968

Thank you for your trust, unity and commitment to our profession.
— SAOT Council

23/10/2025

Low Vision SIG [29 November 2025]: Managing Vision Loss in Older Adults - https://mailchi.mp/proinvest.com.sg/hands-sig-6-october-2025-management-of-brachial-plexus-injuries-9429064

22/10/2025

Low Vision SIG [29 November 2025]: Managing Vision Loss in Older Adults - https://mailchi.mp/proinvest.com.sg/hands-sig-6-october-2025-management-of-brachial-plexus-injuries-9429030