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E-NEWSLETTER |
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SUMMER ISSUE 2016 |
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Feature - Autism
Awareness Month
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World Autism
Awareness Day In 2007, the United
Nations has declared April 2nd as the World Autism Awareness Day to
highlight the need to improve the quality of life of persons with ASD, which
in turn helps them lead meaningful lives. To echo the call of the United
Nations, leading ASD advocacy organisations
worldwide hosted a variety of activities around the date. The theme in 2016
is "Autism and the 2030 Agenda: Inclusion and Neurodiversity".
On April 2,
landmarks and iconic buildings in the world, i.e. Sydney Opera House, Tokyo
Tower, Niagara Falls and Empire State Building etc. turned their lights blue.
People were encouraged to wear blue and decorate their places in blue as a
gesture of support. These emerging campaigns aim to promote the awareness of
ASD among the general public.
Autism Awareness
Month
In response to the
World Autism Awareness Day, JC A-Connect launched the Autism Awareness Month
in April, aimed to unite service providers and caregivers from different
sectors, to raise public awareness and understanding on ASD, and eventually to
strengthen school, family and community support to enhance social harmony and
inclusion.
Throughout the
month, six NGO partners organised activities,
including parent support groups, art workshops, learning
classes etc., for students with ASD and their families across the territory.
Publicity was also made in mass media and other on-line platforms, in order
to promote a positive image of ASD. Event Highlights Quiet Book DIY by
Caritas-Hong Kong Date:
April 6-20, 2016
假日鬆一ZONE
by Heep Hong Society Date:
April 3, 2016
Sharing with Love
and Care by SAHK
Date:
January-April, 2016
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School Support |
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The school support
component aims to strengthen specialized support for students with ASD in
mainstream schools in Hong Kong. Currently, 311
schools have joined this project, including 204 primary and 107 secondary
schools. Other than training groups for students with ASD, supporting programmes for teachers, parents and peers have also been
conducted. Recruitment for new schools to join the Programme
starting from 2016/17 school year will end in June 2016. The
School Support Team consisting of educational psychologists from HKU and EDB
has been working closely with NGO professional teams to promote good
practices through: • ongoing
consultations on programme planning; • on-site
observations of training; and • regular
meetings or seminars.
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Family Support |
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The
family support component aims to investigate the existing social service
support for the families with members on the autism spectrum. Family Support Programme Evaluations
Family Support
Service Framework Family Needs
Questionnaire The needs of
Chinese families with members on the autism spectrum were not adequately
studied and reported. The team adapted and developed a localized Family Needs
Questionnaire to collect parents' self-report needs. Results will help to
formulate a family support framework to guide future services development. Parents
of individuals with autism are encouraged to visit the following website (https://goo.gl/XtNlcX) to fill out the 10-minute survey to
express their needs. Interviews
with Stakeholders The team has been
conducting interviews with different stakeholders, including parents,
government officials, paediatricians, teachers and
professionals in private practice etc. to gain perspectives on current and
future support services.
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Public Education |
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The
public education component aims to promote better understanding of ASD in the
community, to empower professionals, peers and caregivers with evidence-based
knowledge and skills; and to emphasize the positive dimension of ASD. Media Coverage
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FORTHCOMING |
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June 2016 Teacher Training
Course - Workshop These
workshops provide training on positive strategies for preventing and managing
meltdowns and out-of-control behaviours.
July 2016 Hong Kong ASD
Conference 2016: Supporting Learning and Development Conference
Post-Conference
Workshops
August 2016 NGO Professional
Sharing Seminar This
seminar provides a platform for the six designated NGO partners to share best
practices in the area of ASD services and support.
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© Copyright JC A-Connect. All Rights
Reserved |
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JC A-Connect: Jockey Club Autism
Support Network Pokfulam Road,
Hong Kong Fax: (852) 2517 0806 E-mail: aconnect@hku.hk Website:
www.JCA-Connect.hk
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