Pak Tin Centre, the first early training and education centre in Hong Kong, has provided early intervention to thousands of children with developmental disorders over the past 33 years. Owing to the demolition of the original site, Pak Tin Centre relocated to Shui Tin House. The opening ceremony was held on 6 December 2014 (Sat) with Ms Carol Yip Man-kuen, JP, Director of Social Welfare, as the officiating guest. Over 130 guests, including partners, fellow practitioners and parents, celebrated this significant milestone together.
Following the recommendation of the Government in the first White Paper on the Rehabilitation Policies and Services in 1977, Heep Hong Society set up Pak Tin Centre in 1981 to provide special needs children with early intervention. The Centre started in Block 3, Pak Tin Estate, and later opened two more service points in the estate. As the estate was set to be demolished, in March 2014, Pak Tin Centre relocated to the new site. Decorated with the theme of transportation, the 3,400-square feet new site houses numerous facilities, including the speech therapy room, physiotherapy room, sensory integration room, individual training room and library.
Professor Daniel Shek, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Society, said, ‘Pak Tin Centre provides therapy and training to 95 children with developmental disorders, such as speech impairment, autism spectrum disorder, global developmental delay, and also premature children. With the Training Subsidy for Pre-school Children with Disabilities offered by the Social Welfare Department, the Centre offers training to 20 children who are on the waitlist for pre-school services as a way to relieve the pressure on the family. In addition, the Centre participates in the 'Early Intervention and Integrated Support for Kindergarten Students with Special Educational Needs' sponsored by the Lee Hysan Foundation and provides individual therapy to special needs children with an effort to shorten their wait for government-subvented services.’
Established in 1963, Heep Hong Society is a leading children’s education and rehabilitation service institution. Every year, its assessment, training and therapy, parent counselling and school-based support services at over 40 units directly benefit more than 6,000 children and youth with special needs, as well as their families.
For more information on the new site and opening ceremony of Pak Tin Centre, please visit the links below:
