A recent survey by the Hong Kong YWCA has highlighted troubling findings regarding public attitudes toward children with special educational needs (SEN). Nearly 50% of parents of SEN children reported facing unkind treatment, both for themselves and their children.
The online survey, which involved 520 parents, revealed that 43.1% of respondents said their children had been stared at due to their behavior, and 31.7% reported their children being laughed at by classmates. Over 60% of parents said they would immediately remove their children from uncomfortable environments. Many parents believe that the public struggles to accept children with SEN, with concerns that such children may cause trouble, leading to fewer social activities.
In addition, the survey gathered responses from 619 members of the general public, many of whom attributed the behavior of SEN children to misbehavior or poor parenting.
One mother, Mrs. Li, shared her experience. Her children suffer from attention deficit disorder and autism. She recalled an incident at a community center where her son, unable to control his emotions, burst into tears. As she comforted him, a bystander commented, “Little children need to be scolded,” which made her son cry even more and left her feeling frustrated.
YWCA General Manager (Youth and Community Services) Ng Tsui Ping responded to the survey findings, noting that while the government provides support for children with SEN, the public often reacts with contempt or disgust toward the behaviors of these children. Ng emphasized that society rarely considers the reasons behind these behaviors.
Ng also stated, “The public’s response reflects the level of acceptance of the SEN community. We hope the government and other stakeholders will promote public education to foster better integration between people with special needs and the wider community.”
Furthermore, Ng pointed out that despite an increase in the number of new teachers in schools, there are still insufficient training opportunities for addressing the needs of SEN students. She called for more training places to ensure that all teachers are equipped with the necessary skills to support these children.
