Supporting college students with special need in neurodevelopmental disorders (SpLD, ASD and ADHD)

This project aims at advancing the equality and diversity in the learning environment and experience at EdUHK, as well as other tertiary education institutions, by examining the learning experience of mature students with neurodevelopmental disorders, mainly specific learning difficulties (SpLD) in reading and writing, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). As a result of inclusive educational policies and practices in Hong Kong in the past decades, more students with learning disorders have been identified and effectively supported in mainstream primary and secondary schools. This result in an increasing number of students with learning disorders exceling in the mainstream education system, eventually gaining admission to tertiary education and universities. This project hence documented and explored different effective and innovative practices to enhance these students’ learning and whole-person development in university education. We also explored the necessity, benefit and role of a professional psychoeducational assessment in promoting the learning experiences of students with neurodevelopmental disorders, as well as enhancing the teaching efficacy of their corresponding stakeholders. The results allowed our formulation of a practical guideline for advancing equal learning opportunities for students with neurodevelopmental disorders in EdUHK and other tertiary education institutions, in order to create an inclusive learning and teaching environment.