Parents of autistic children in Hong Kong face long waits for government-funded rehabilitation therapy. The waiting time for preschool services is usually one year, but it can be as long as three in extreme cases. Parents find themselves in line after line as they try to arrange training for their children. Mainstream therapy for autism includes applied behavioral analysis, speech and occupational therapy, and social skills classes, according the website of the Hong Kong Education Bureau. While private institutions offer treatment for children with autism, the fees are too high for many families. It is generally believed that the best time for training autistic children is before they start school at age 6, but the delays in government programs force most parents to skip the waiting list and look to private therapy. A brief online search by China Daily found that applied behavioral analysis, or ABA, and language-therapy classes at private facilities cost more than several hundred Hong Kong dollars an hour. A monthlong course of ABA therapy could cost as much as HK$53,000 ($6,750), according to the website of one private institution. That is beyond the range of most residents of Hong Kong, where the median monthly income was HK$28,000 in the fourth quarter of last year. The problem is becoming more urgent as the number of autistic children in the city is rising rapidly. In the 2016/17 school year, ordinary public schools in Hong Kong recorded 7,820 students with autism, but in 2012/13, the number was 4,150, according to the education bureau, an 88 percent rise in just four years. However, there are no statistics about the number of autistic children studying in the private sector or being home-schooled. The Hong Kong government responded to the treatment shortage by introducing a pilot program called On-site Pre-school Rehabilitation Services. The program, inaugurated in 2015, directs teams of professionals to schools to provide basic therapy to preschoolers with special needs. The service helped to cut the waiting list for therapy and, as a result, became a regular program in the current school year. The government plans to provide an additional 2,000 places for on-site rehabilitation services in the 2019/20 school year. In its 2019-20 budget, the city plans to gradually establish two additional Support Centers for Persons with Autism, and raise the number of social workers and therapists. Parents in Hong Kong who suspect their children may have autism can apply for assessment and diagnostic services at the Child Assessment Service Center at the Department of Health of the Hong Kong SAR government. If Autism Spectrum Disorder is confirmed, the child is referred to different government-funded preschool rehabilitation centers, depending on the severity of the condition. Those ages 2 to 5 with ASD can receive rehabilitation services at the Early Education and Training Centre, and at an integrated program at the Kindergarten-cum-Child Care Centre. Those who require more-intensive support are eligible for placements at the Special Child Care Centre. School-age children with ASD can receive special training at mainstream schools or special schools, depending on their condition. debossed silicone braceletscustom silicon wristbandscolored rubber bands for braceletsdual layer wristbandsblank wristband
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang holds talks with Mongolian Prime Minister Ukhnaa Khurelsukh at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, April 9, 2018. [Photo/Xinhua] BEIJING - China and Mongolia on Monday agreed to link the Belt and Road Initiative and Mongolia's Prairie Road development initiative to benefit the two peoples. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang made the remarks while holding talks with Mongolian Prime Minister Ukhnaa Khurelsukh in Beijing. Li said China and Mongolia are important neighboring countries, good friends and partners, and China appreciates the Mongolian government for reiterating its firm adherence to the one-China policy. China is willing to work with Mongolia to set the direction of bilateral ties in a strategic height and from a long-term perspective, consolidate political mutual trust, respect each others' core interests and major concerns, maintain high-level exchanges, strengthen parliamentary exchanges, enhance party-to-party exchanges, and communicate more in regional and international affairs, Li said. Li said he hopes that the development of China-Mongolia ties will benefit both countries and regional peace, stability, and prosperity. Both China and Mongolia face an important mission to develop their economies and improve peoples' well-being, Li said, noting that China is ready to work with Mongolia to make use of the complementary advantages of their economy. Li called for initiating feasibility research on a China-Mongolia free trade agreement and speed up the building of a cross-border economic cooperation zone. Li called on both sides to cooperate more in industrial capacity, investment, agriculture and animal husbandry, energy and minerals, transit transport, shantytown renovation, pollution control, and urban and port infrastructure construction. Next year will mark the 70th anniversary of establishing diplomatic ties, Li said, calling on both sides to strengthen people-to-people exchanges in youth, culture, media, and tourism to consolidate the social and public opinion foundation for China-Mongolia friendship. Khurelsukh said Mongolia gives priority to the friendly relationship with China in its foreign policy, and the Mongolian government firmly adheres to the one-China policy. Mongolia agrees that Tibet and Taiwan are inalienable parts of the Chinese territory, and issues concerning Tibet and Taiwan are China's internal affairs, Khurelsukh said. Khurelsukh said Mongolia is willing to work with China to enhance political mutual trust, maintain high-level visits, deepen economic cooperation, integrate their development strategies, and have more pragmatic cooperation. Prior to the talks, Li held a welcome ceremony for Khurelsukh. After the talks, they jointly witnessed the signing of several bilateral cooperation documents in fields such as economy and trade, people-to-people exchanges, industrial capacity, and environmental protection. China's top legislator Li Zhanshu also met with Khurelsukh on Monday afternoon, and both sides agreed to share experience in governance and hold more legislative exchanges.
