English-speaking service for post-16 young adults with learning disabilities. Originally inspired by a parent and established in 1993. Seeks to provide core lifelong learning and vocational skills. The education programme includes literacy and IT skills, life skills and is now being developed to enable students to gain certificates. Music, art and drama also available. Funded by the Social Welfare Dept, means-tested fees and donations. Special needs include autism, cerebral palsy, dyspraxia and Down Syndrome, among others. There are 10 different nationalities in the student population. Student interaction with the community and vice versa encouraged. Residential and respite opportunities provide service users with training in independent living skills and offer intensive care for those requiring higher levels of staffing.

$5,650 per month (full time)

Jockey Club Sarah Roe School (ESF)

Ho Man Tin 2B Tin Kwong Rd, Ho Man Tin, Kowloon

Tel: 2761 9893

Purpose-built special needs through school adjacent to KGV School. Caters for up to 60 children aged 5-19 with severe learning difficulties. The catchment area is the whole of Hong Kong. Implements the EQUALS curriculum (Entitlement and Quality Education for Pupils with Severe Learning Difficulties), in English, to provide a supportive but challenging learning experience. Well-equipped building with multi-sensory room, soft play area, library and hydrotherapy pool. Occupational therapy, hydrotherapy and physiotherapy available. School bus service providing door-to-door service. Each vehicle is fitted with a hydraulic lift.

Annual

Primary: $51,500

Secondary: $82,600

The Child Development Centre at Matilda

The Peak 41 Mount Kellett Rd, The Peak

Tel: 2849 6138

A charity providing early intervention services for children with special needs in English. Children up to 6 years can attend the recently renovated centre. Children with special needs are integrated with their typically developing peers and given the opportunity to learn through play. With a 1:3 teacher-to-student ratio, the centre caters for a range of difficulties, including learning disabilities, speech and language delays, physical and intellectual impairments, and autism. It helps over 140 special needs children and their families throughout the year.

$1,800-$6,800 per month

Rainbow Project

Stubbs Rd and Tung Chung

Rainbow Project Office

Suite 805, Tower 1, Lippo Centre, 89 Queensway, Admiralty

Tel: 2537 0996 (Dr Tad Pu) or 2537 0114

A programme started by the Rainbow Project charity to provide specialist education for primary-aged children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and, where possible, a bridge into mainstream schooling. Two classrooms, the first hosted by Hong Kong Academy Primary School, with a second started at Sunshine House Preparatory School in Tung Chung in January 2006. A multidisciplinary approach is taken with individual programmes developed for each child. Seven places for students aged 5-11 years in each classroom, but there is a waiting list. Rainbow hopes to open a third classroom soon. In addition to regular classes, Rainbow offers a summer playgroup and, when possible, a social interaction group on Saturday mornings. Project members are involved in community work outside the classroom to promote an understanding of autism. They also offer regular training sessions for parents of autistic children and their helpers.

$10,540 per month

Springboard Project

Pokfulam 2/A 122 Pokfulam Rd, Pokfulam

Tel: 2813 4508

Parent-inspired group which organises classes for English-speaking children with mild to moderate learning difficulties. It runs a primary class catering for 10 students from 5-11 years, hosted at the Korean International School. Horizons programme for students from 15-18 years, held at Springboard's Pokfulam centre. Designed to meet various specific education and life skill requirements to prepare students to be contributing family and community members.

Annual

Primary class: $72,500 + supplement of $40,000

Horizons: $120,000 (2005-06)

The Children's Institute

Repulse Bay 33-35 Beach Rd, Shop C, 2/F, Repulse Bay

Tel: 2812 2144

Individualised, full-day programme for a small number of children aged 3-12 years with autism-related disorders, which emphasises social, self-help and play skills and intensive language instruction. The institute is due to move to a new primary school in Wong Chuk Hang in the autumn, which would allow its children to spend time in mainstream classes. Plans include a speech/language and communication centre for speech and occupational therapy. The programme is overseen by a behaviour analyst. Operates 12 months a year. Parent-helper training workshops also offered. Teacher-student ratio will remain 1:1.

$23,000 per month

Watchdog Early Learning and Development Centre

Mid-Levels12 Borrett Rd, G/F, East Wing, Mid-Levels

Tel: 2521 7364

Long-established subvented centre providing intensive pre-school services for special needs children up to 6 years. Expanded last year to 70 places. Caters for children with cerebral palsy, Down Syndrome, global developmental delays, learning difficulties, and autism spectrum disorders, and where possible prepares them for entry to the regular school system. Separate programmes for Cantonese and non-Cantonese speaking children and parents. Private programmes available on Saturdays for 60 children and to help fund regular programme. Includes piano, yoga and African drumming. Speech and music therapy, among other services, also available.

$550 per month