CW Chan

Abstract

The condition of Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) is basically a child health issue requiring the close cooperation and collaboration of medical, social and educational professionals working in a transdisciplinary team. For many years, numerous Hong Kong children and parents suffer unnecessarily from these disabilities due to poor awareness and professional support. Local research work recently confirms that the prevalence rate of SLD in Hong Kong children is comparable to the international data and that the incidence of Dyslexia is about 10% of the population. Numerous workshops and seminars have been held locally and keenly supported by professionals, parents, politicians, educators and administrators through the years. Consensus on definition and multidisciplinary interventions has been reached with the goal of formulating comprehensive management programme for children with SLD. This paper reviews the evolution of SLD in Hong Kong in the past ten years as well as major breakthroughs in recent developments in the practice of SLD. The admission of SLD into the Rehabilitation Programme Plan 2007 is a monumental milestone whereby SLD is officially recognised as a member of the Disability Category which also entitles individuals with SLD to have access to remediation, compensation, accommodation and resource support from the Hong Kong SAR Government at the family, school and community levels. These are key factors for success in habilitation. The SLD Summit 2007 hosted in Hong Kong in November 2007 summarises the most up-to-date progress, consolidates the consensus on SLD for Hong Kong and endeavours to highlight the way forward and action plans for the future.