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In view of the accelerating demand for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) support services, the Club’s Charities Trust launched the "JC A-Connect: Jockey Club Autism Support Network" in 2015. This pioneering support programme for autistic students in local mainstream schools and their parents is co-organised with The University of Hong Kong (HKU), the Education Bureau and six NGOs.

With the concerted efforts of all project partners, 425 mainstream primary and secondary schools have so far taken part in JC A-Connect, which equates to 40% of total schools in Hong Kong and exceeds the original target by over 70%.

The programme has directly benefited over 5,000 ASD students, amounting to over half of all ASD students in those schools. Some 90% of the participating students have shown marked improvements in communication skills, emotional expression and control after the training, which is helping them integrate better into mainstream school life and the study environment.

Given such encouraging results, the Trust has now committed funding of over HK$240 million to continue the programme for another three years. During the extension period, JC A-Connect will be expanded to reach out to more schools. A total of 3,700 coaching programmes will be conducted at 500 mainstream schools.

The long-term aim of JC A-Connect is to scale up school-based assistance and mainstream the service model to sustain support for ASD students in the local school system. All valuable data and teaching resources will be consolidated and shared for the reference of local, Mainland and overseas policy-makers and social service providers.

A train-the-trainer model will be adopted, with advanced training to be provided for NGO supervisors and advisors, experienced teachers and Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators (SENCOs), so as to develop a sustainable learning and knowledge sharing circle. Some 120 NGO professionals, along with 4,000 teachers and SENCOs, will be trained in the coming three years.

In addition, a series of community engagement activities will be conducted during Phase II of JC A-Connect to enhance public understanding and social acceptance of ASD, and reduce social stigma. International conferences will also be organised to facilitate knowledge exchange among local and overseas experts.