A Training and Therapeutic Programme for Autistic School Leavers

Hong  Kong,  6  February  2017 – FWD  Hong  Kong  (“FWD”)  and  Hong  Chi  Association  (“Hong  Chi”) announced  the  FWD  x  Hong  Chi  “Live  Up  Adulthood”  Transitional  Support  Programme  (“Live  Up Adulthood Programme”). The programme was launched to provide transitional support to school leavers (aged 18 or above) with autism and intellectual disabilities through a variety of training and therapeutic sessions to help them prepare for future social service placement.

The programme is an extension of the FWD x Hong Chi “Live Up Today” Programme set up by FWD and Hong Chi in 2014 to help autistic people develop and engage with their families and the community. FWD committed to donate HK$4.5 million to support the operations of the Live Up Adulthood Programme for three years.

In  Hong  Kong,  there  are  significantly  insufficient  numbers  of  facilities  which  provide  permanent  social service placements, such as Sheltered Workshops and Day Activity Centres, and young school leavers with autism and intellectual disabilities commonly have to wait for years for placements. The waiting time is even longer for those who seek placements closer to home. These young adults may have to spend years  seeking  temporary  placements  or  staying  at  home,  thus  weakening  the  effectiveness  of  former education due to a lack of continuous training to sustain and further develop their learned skills. The Live Up Adulthood Programme aims to fill the gap by providing them with much-needed transitional support.

David Wong, Chief Executive Officer, Hong Kong & Macau and Executive Vice President, Greater China, FWD,  said,  “At  FWD,  we  offer  people  opportunities  to  get  ready  to  live. By  setting  up  the  Live  Up Adulthood Programme, we hope to bring society’s attention to the lack of educational  and  transitional support available to autistic school leavers. We hope that our support can help bridge the gap."

Mr Aldan Kwok, General Secretary, Hong Chi Association, said, "Thank you again to FWD Hong Kong for  generously  sponsoring  Hong  Chi Association  to  launch  the  FWD  x  Hong  Chi  “Live  Up  Today” Programme for young adults with autism and the promotional effort. The Programme enables people in need  to  receive  appropriate  professional  therapies,  which  help  enhance  their  life  skills  and  social communication, as well as greatly relieve the pressure their families are facing."

David  added,  “With  more  adequate  support  in  place,  all  these  young  autistic  adults  need  are opportunities.  To  raise  public’s  awareness,  understanding  and  acceptance,  we  have been  working closely with Hong Chi on various promotional and supporting activities."

The one-year transitional programme focuses on six core areas, namely occupational skills, art, music, daily living, community integration as well as vocational training. For two full days every week, training and therapies are delivered in individual and small group formats to more effectively fit specific needs.

Artist Leila Kong, herself a young mother of two young children, visited Hong Chi earlier and had some valuable experiences participating in some of the programme’s training and therapeutic sessions. For instance, in an art therapy session a young lady was encouraged and guided to express her feelings and thoughts  through  painting;  while  in  a  therapeutic  life  skill  training  session,  a  barbecue  was  used  as  a means to help two twin brothers strengthen their communication skills and independence.

Impressed with the trainees’ passion, the instructors’ devotion and the overall quality of the training, Leila said,  “The programme  not  only  helps  participants  adapt  to  the  community,  but  also  raises  public awareness  of  their  needs.  Despite  facing  mental  and  physical  challenges,  autistic  people  are  blessed with extraordinary imagination and creativity. The community needs more programmes and activities of this nature to let these passionate individuals develop and realise their potential.”

For more about Leila’s visit of Hong Chi, watch this short video where she shares her experience

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About FWD Hong Kong & Macau

FWD spans Hong Kong & Macau, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam. In Hong Kong, FWD offers life and medical insurance, general insurance, employee benefits, pension, and financial planning. The life insurance and general insurance operating entities have been assigned strong financial strength ratings by international rating agencies —FWD Life Insurance Company (Bermuda) Limited is rated “A3” by Moody’s and “A” by Fitch; and FWD General Insurance Company Limited is rated “A” by Fitch.

FWD is focused on creating fresh customer experiences, with easy-to-understand products, supported by leading digital technologies. Through this customer-led approach, FWD will achieve its vision to become the leading pan-Asian insurer that changes the way people feel about insurance.

Established in Asia in 2013, FWD is the insurance business arm of investment group, Pacific Century Group.

For more information please visit WWW.FWD.COM.HK or WWW.FWD.COM.MO.

About Hong Chi Association

Hong Chi Association (formerly the Hong Kong Association for the Mentally Handicapped), founded in 1965, has grown to become the most well-established non-profit organization dedicated solely to serving some 7,000 people of all ages and all grades of intellectual disabilities and their families in Hong Kong. It operates 80 service units to provide comprehensive services.