Public awareness, community services and parent support

Before the 1990's specific learning disabilities (SLD) did not gain much government and public attention in Hong Kong. Children with SLD were managed in the same manner as other regular students in the classroom. Teaching professionals and parents were unaware that underachievement may be a result of SLD, instead of the students being simply lazy. In 1998, a local peer support group, the Hong Kong Association for Specific Learning Disabilities (HKASLD), was established by parents whose children were identified as having SLD. Their mission was to advocate for public understanding and school support in Hong Kong for these children. Over past ten years, various resources were slowly developed by the Hong Kong Government and the community, organising training for professionals and publishing teaching and support guidelines for schools. However, a recent research conducted by HKASLD revealed that parents of children with SLD were still facing major difficulties, and suffering from psychological pressures due to inadequate school and community support.