Sorting out special needs

Many children will need extra help or support at some point during their academic life. They may struggle when first learning to read, or have trouble dealing with unwanted playground conflict. They might also need assistance in overcoming a temporary or ongoing physical disability.

Special educational needs (SEN) include physical, sensory, mental health and learning disabilities, or any other condition which results in an individual needing to learn in a way different from a student who does not have that condition.

Students whose special educational needs require little in the way of adjustment by their teachers or schools may be able to join mainstream classes, often receiving additional help from learning support in or out of school. These days, both in Hong Kong and internationally, schools strive to be inclusive and meet these children’s needs. The phrase Next Frontier Inclusion (NFI) defines inclusive schools as those that successfully serve a managed number of students representing the full range of learning differences: mild, moderate, and intensive needs, and the exceptionally able.

Children may be diagnosed with a range of conditions such as autism, Down’s syndrome, ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), Asperger’s syndrome, and dyspraxia.

Unfortunately, Hong Kong has extremely limited provision for such students. Many schools are far from inclusive, or simply do not have the resources to help these children thrive.

A few schools will accept children with mild and moderate learning needs. They may have speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, a physiotherapist, a nurse and a registered music therapist on the staff.

Ideally, each student has an individual education plan (IEP) outlining their learning goals. This is developed through collaboration involving teachers, therapists, the family and, if possible, the student. The idea is to identify and build on the student’s strengths and closely monitor their progress, so that teaching can be tailored accordingly.