Current Problem
71,324
students
Accounting for 6.9% of the total number of students in Hong Kong, have been diagnosed with special educational needs (SEN)
12,000
students
are currently waiting for early identification assessments and treatments
Each school has approximately
20 -30
suspected cases
and 10% of these students have severe conditions that require for early intervention
According to the report by SoCO in 2019, there are 1,027,100 children under the age of 18 in Hong Kong. It is estimated that at least 71,324 of these children have been diagnosed with special educational needs (SEN), accounting for 6.9% of all students in Hong Kong.
However, the current numbers are still underestimated because suspected cases of special educational needs (SEN) in children aged 6 or above can no longer receive free psychiatric assessment from public sectors. the waiting list for school educational psychologist assessments arranged by the Education Bureau is at least one year, which delays the diagnosis of schoolchildren and the time of service.
The most affected are the grassroots SEN students. Most of them miss the golden period (6 to 8 years old) of receiving treatment and some even have to give up treatment because they cannot afford it financially.
Children aged 6 or above who are suspected cases cannot receive services from the Social Welfare Department anymore
Students suspected of having special educational needs will no longer receive assessment and follow-up services from Maternal and Child Health Centres, kindergartens, or child care centers after the age of 6;
According to the report by SoCO in 2019, more than 80% of the children interviewed only got educational psychology appointment 1-2 times per year, and each time was less than 30 minutes.
1. Maternal and Child Health Centers
2. Kindergartens
3. Child Care Centers
Child Assessment Service (CAS)
of the Hospital Authority
The average waiting time is 1 - 2 years
No longer receive services from the Social Welfare Department
The suspected cases will be referred from School Social Workers, SEN co-ordinator (SENCO) and teachers to educational psychologists to conduct professional assessment and follow up services.
The average waiting time is 6 months or above
Long waiting time for the services after confirmation of the case
The average waiting time for public services is 13 to 20 months, and the longest waiting time can be up to 35 months.
(Condition diagnosed before or after age six)
Insufficient support services in school
On average, only one social worker and one SEN co-ordinator (SENCO) serve about 700 students. The waiting time for on-site educational psychology professional consultation service can be up to 6 months to 1 year.
Lack of comprehensive support for carers
Only 17 Parent Resource Libraries in Hong Kong to cater to at least 70,000 students with special educational needs and their parents
Mainstream SEN support programs remain academic-led direction
Mainstream education focuses on academic development but lack of cultivating students' all-round development, emotional management, and social skills