Expansion of JC A-Connect strengthens support for ASD students

07/08/2016

According to Education Bureau statistics, the number of students in local mainstream schools identified with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has doubled in the past four years. Concerned about the difficulties faced by these students, The Hong Kong Jockey Club took the initiative to launch JC A-Connect: Jockey Club Autism Support Network in 2015, funded by a donation of HK$167 million from the Club’s Charities Trust. 

Run in collaboration with The University of Hong Kong (HKU), the Education Bureau and six NGOs, this three-year project, the first of its kind in the city, offers holistic support to ASD children in mainstream schools and their parents, as well as providing public education programmes to raise awareness and understanding of autism.

Officiating at the opening ceremony today (8 July) of the Hong Kong ASD Conference 2016, the latest JC A-Connect initiative, were Club Steward Margaret Leung, Under Secretary for Education Kevin Yeung and President & Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hong Kong, Professor Peter Mathieson.

The conference, under the theme “Supporting Learning and Development”, has attracted some 900 ASD practitioners and educationalists, providing a valuable platform for exchanging ideas.  Keynote speakers include Consultant of the Ohio Centre for Autism and Low Incidence Dr Brenda Smith Myles; and Consultant Paediatrician of Child Assessment Service of Department of Health Dr Florence Lee. 

Mrs Leung explained that providing special needs students with the opportunity to develop their full potential had long been one of the Trust’s commitments towards building an inclusive society.  “We are delighted that JC A-Connect has received a positive response from parents and teachers, with 311 primary and secondary schools participating in the programme in 2015/16 academic year, exceeding our original target of 250,” she said. “We are committed to serving more ASD students and families in the coming two years.”

To gain a more thorough understanding of the issue, HKU recently conducted the largest local study to date of ASD students in the city’s mainstream schools, covering some 400 school personnel and over 2,200 parents. The data collected allowed the team to investigate how well some 2,700 students adapted in schools. That is approximately 40% of the ASD students studying in mainstream schools.

The research found that most ASD students have difficulties in social, emotional management and learning. Significant variations have been observed in the performances and needs of students at different levels. Individualised assessments are needed in developing effective training programmes for them to overcome these obstacles. 

With additional support coming from six experienced NGOs – Caritas-HK, Heep Hong Society, New Life Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association, SAHK, The Salvation Army and Tung Wah Group of Hospitals – JC A-Connect has already been able to reach over 3,000 ASD students, around half of the total studying in mainstream schools.  The network provides after-school training in social cognition, interpersonal communication, emotional intelligence and learning skills according to students’ individual needs.

To meet the great demand, JC A-Connect will expand in the coming academic year to 380 schools, accounting for some 35% of mainstream schools in the city.

In addition, over 3,000 teachers have so far been given professional training to build their capabilities in meeting ASD students’ needs, while more than 4,600 parents have received guidance in taking care of ASD children through education, counselling and training programmes held at 18 satellite centres around the city,

JC A-Connect also covers a series of public education programmes and an online platform offering up-to-date ASD information and support, all aimed at promoting public understanding and acceptance of ASD. For more details, please visit: www.JCA-Connect.hk.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class horse racing operator and Hong Kong’s largest community benefactor, as well as one of Asia’s most prestigious membership clubs. Operating as a not-for-profit organisation, the Club allocates its surplus funds for charitable and community projects. In 2014/15, its donations reached a record HK$3.87 billion, and in the last decade alone it supported over 1,300 projects. The Club is also Hong Kong’s largest single taxpayer, contributing a record HK$20.05 billion in 2014/15. With about 70% of its revenue given back to society every year through donations and tax contributions, The Hong Kong Jockey Club delivers a significantly higher return to the community than any other racing and/or sports betting organisation in the world. As a socially responsible organisation, the Club helps Government combat illegal betting and advocates responsible gambling. The Club is also one of Hong Kong’s largest employers with over 24,000 full-time and part-time staff. Committed to global excellence and giving back to society, the Club is always “riding high together for a better future” with the people of Hong Kong.