XN000022-1991-11-21 — Page 7

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1991

EARLY EDUCATION FOR DISABLED CHILDREN IMPORTANT

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EARLY EDUCATION AND TRAINING CENTRES (KETO'S) HAVE A KEY ROLE TO PLAY IN PRE-SCHOOL SERVICES FOR DISABLED CHILDREN, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR M.D. CARTLAND, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY),

HONG

SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE SPASTICS ASSOCIATION OF KONG'S CHAN TSENG HSI BARLY EDUCATION AND TRAINING CENTRE, MR CARTLAND POINTED OUT THAT PARENTS OF CHILDREN SHOWING EARLY SIGNS OF HANDICAP SHOULD SEEK TO MAKE USE OF THE SERVICE OF AN EETC AT THE BARLIEST STAGE.

"THOSE WHO ARE OBSERVED TO HAVE SIGNS OF HANDICAP IN THEIR EARLY YEARS HAVE A MUCH BETTER CHANCE OF NORMAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT IF THEY START TO BE TRAINED EARLY UNDER PROFESSIONAL GUIDANCE, HE SAID.

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BETC'S HAD BEEN SET UP TO SERVE THIS PURPOSE, RE THAT A MUTLI-DISCIPLINARY PROGRAMME, WITH PARAMEDICAL TAILOR-MADE TO MEET THE CHILDREN'S SPECIFIC NEEDS.

SAID, ADDING

SUPPORT, WAS

"APART FROM THIS INTENSIVE PROFESSIONAL TRAINING INPUT, PARENTS OF INDIVIDUAL CHILDREN ARE ALSO INVOLVED IN IMPLEMENTING THE. PROGRAMME AT HOME, HE SAID.

MR CARTLAND NOTED THAT EXPERIENCE HAD SHOWN THAT WITH PARENTS' PARTICIPATION, THE TRAINING PROGRAMME WAS MUCH MORE EFFECTIVE.

THE SPASTICS ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG HAS BEEN RUNNING FIVE SPECIAL CHILD CARE CENTRES, AMONG OTHER SERVICES.

THE CHAN TSENG

MR CARTLAND SAID THE COMING INTO OPERATION OF HSI EARLY EDUCATION AND TRAINING CENTRE, THE FIRST EETC RUN BY THE ASSOCIATION, COMPLEMENTED ITS EXISTING CHILD CARE SERVICES.

"THROUGH A MORE COMPREHENSIVE NETWORK OF SERVICES, MORE OPPORTUNITIES CAN BE PROVIDED FOR DISABLED CHILDREN WITH BETTER CO-ORDINATION AND COMMUNICATION," HE ADDED.

SPEL VISITS DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT

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THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR GRAHAM BARNES, TODAY (THURSDAY) VISITED THE DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO TAKE A FIRST-HAND LOOK AT THE DEPARTMENT'S EFFORTS IN TACKLING ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION.

HE WAS BRIEFED ON THE DEPARTMENT'S WORK AND RESPONSIBILITIES BY ITS DIRECTORATE HEADED BY THE DIRECTOR OF DRAINAGE SERVICES, MR SIU CHUEN.

/MR BARNES