EdUHK Hosts International Symposium on Special Educational Needs and Neurodiversity
The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) successfully hosted the International Symposium on Students with SEN and Neurodiversity: New Directions in Research and Practice from 29 to 30 May on its campus. The event was jointly organised by the Department of Psychology and School Aspire, with support from the Department of Special Education and Counselling and the Institute of Special Needs and Inclusive Education. The symposium drew hundreds of participants, including experts, scholars, psychologists, frontline practitioners, and parents from Hong Kong and overseas.
The symposium featured six distinguished keynote speakers (in alphabetical order of surnames):
- Professor Jennifer Jolly, Head of the Department of Special Education and Counselling at EdUHK;
- Dr Lorinda Lam Ling, Acting Senior Clinical Psychologist of the Child Assessment Service at the Department of Health;
- Professor Philip Shaw, Director of the King’s Maudsley Partnership for Children and Young People at King's College London;
- Professor Aaron Shield of Miami University;
- Professor Kenneth Sin Kuen-fung, Executive Director of the Institute of Special Needs and Inclusive Education at EdUHK; and
- Professor Shelley Tong Xiuli from The University of Hong Kong.
The event was further honoured by the presence of Ms Lydia Koo, Chairman of Koo’s Giving Charitable Foundation, as Guest of Honour.
Serving as a cross-disciplinary international platform, the symposium aimed to strengthen the integration of academic research and frontline practice, and to develop practical approaches to support students with Special Educational Needs (SEN) and neurodiversity. Delivering the opening remarks, Professor John Lee Chi-Kin, President of EdUHK, highlighted the University’s long-standing expertise in SEN research and practice. He shared that the University envisioned the two-day symposium to serve as a global hub for interdisciplinary exchange, remarking, "We believe that embracing neurodiversity is fundamental to modern, high-quality education, and that meaningful progress in inclusive education requires close collaboration among scholars, educators, professional practitioners, and families. Together we can build the genuinely supportive learning environments our students deserve."
The two-day programme was structured with the first day dedicated to academic research and the second to practical applications. Over 20 parallel sessions were held, bringing together EdUHK's interdisciplinary research teams, local SEN service organisations and frontline practitioners. These sessions provided educators and parents with effective strategies for teaching and caregiving. In addition, graduates of School Aspire and other students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) were invited to assist in event organisation, with roles tailored to their strengths and personalities. This initiative underscored a shared commitment to fostering an inclusive environment where students with SEN and neurodiversity can realise their unique potential.
The School Aspire team noted that, with the generous support of Koo’s Giving Charitable Foundation, the former “Project Aspire’ was officially elevated to “Scholl Aspire” in 2025, expanding its service to comprehensively support autistic students from K3 through tertiary education. Building on insights gained from the symposium, School Aspire will further enhance school-based and family support services, strengthen parent education, and promote inclusive campus experiences, empowering youth with ASD and neurodiversity to plan for the future, leverage their strengths, and unlock new possibilities.
Since its establishment in 2004, School Aspire (formerly "Project Aspire") at EdUHK has supported over 10,000 mainstream school students with ASD and their families. Today, its services extend from kindergarten to tertiary levels, offering professional programmes for students, parents, and teachers, empowering individuals to integrate smoothly into mainstream education and co-creating a caring and inclusive society.
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