Families of children with special needs struggle with uncertain future as coronavirus pandemic leaves therapy options limited

When Grace and her family decided to move to Hong Kong last November, their thoughts were focused on more than the prosperous career the city could offer.

For the mother of three and her husband Jim, the first priority lay with how the community could support their nine-year-old daughter, who has a rare genetic disorder.

Judy – not her real name – suffers from “muenke syndrome” which has left her with a variety of challenges, including hearing loss and learning difficulties.

Hopes were initially high for the Australian family when they found out some of the international schools in Hong Kong work alongside therapy clinics, allowing children to learn like other students with the help of therapists directly in classes.

“We moved here because our daughter could access better services,” Grace said. “In Australia, schools are unable to arrange any special classes like here, and I have been home-schooling my daughter since she’s five. Here, she can learn like other kids.”

Grace could see the difference proper therapy made. For example, Judy could hardly write a word properly, but with the help of therapists is now learning to dictate through voice note or typing, and is able to learn together with other kids in school.

But the coronavirus pandemic has created uncertainty for the family, with all public and international schools closed until April 20 at least. As a result, companies that provide private therapy services for children with special educational needs (SEN) are struggling to survive like many other industries in the city.