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In recent years, the number of students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) studying in mainstream primary and secondary schools has continued to rise. To help them better integrate into school life, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust has donated over HK$410 million since 2015 to initiate and implement the “JC A-Connect: Jockey Club Autism Support Network” (JC A-Connect).

It is the first project of its kind in the city, offering holistic support to students with ASD attending mainstream schools, their parents and schools. The six-year project has been implemented in 510 Hong Kong primary and secondary schools, or about half of the total number, supporting over 60% of students with ASD and different educational needs in mainstream schools. In view of the remarkable achievements of the project, with effect from the 2021/22 school year, the Education Bureau will adopt the school-based support service model piloted by JC A-Connect to support more students with ASD. The JC A-Connect Celebration Ceremony cum Achievement Sharing was held at Tai Kwun in mid-August.

JC A-Connect adopts cross-sectoral collaboration to enhance support for children with ASD at homes, schools and in the community through an innovative service model. The project has operated via a collaborative model between schools and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for six years from the 2015/16 to 2020/21 school years. It utilises the expertise of NGOs to support school-based training to improve ASD students’ social communication and emotional regulation, as well as to enhance their learning strategies to help them better integrate into mainstream school life. The project also offers training to teachers and service providers to enhance the sustainable development of ASD support services.

In the new school year, the Education Bureau will adopt and regularise JC A-Connect’s school-based support service model as its tier-two support (i.e. supplemental small group training on enhancement of social adaptation and learning ability), strengthening support for autistic students under a three-tier intervention model.

With the Education Bureau regularising the school-based support service model, JC A-Connect will put more emphasis on strengthening support services for families in the coming two years with early intervention and providing systematic caregiver training for families in need. To maintain and support the sector’s development and build a network of ASD specialists, the project will continue its online learning platform and organise professional networking activities.

To increase public awareness and acceptance of students with ASD, JC A-Connect launched a character ambassador “Bling Bling” together with the well-known children’s book series Mr. Men and Little Miss. A series of public campaigns was conducted this summer, including three “Bling Bling”-themed trams. Passengers can play a mini-game by scanning a QR code on the tram to learn more about the emotions and joy of autistic children. An exhibition entitled “Bling Bling’s Daily Life - Same Among The Differences” at Tai Kwun’s F Hall Studio was also held, where visitors learned about the challenges facing “Bling Bling” who is with ASD. Drawings created by youngsters with ASD were also displayed.

In the new school year, a storybook named “Same Among The Differences” featuring “Bling Bling” and eight characters of Mr. Men Little Miss will be distributed to kindergartens, primary schools and Parent Resource Centres to encourage care for people with ASD and respect for one another in order to build a diverse and harmonious society together.

For the latest information about the project, please visit http://www.jca-connect.hk/