Free therapy for ethnic minority SEN children
A local charity says funds raised from Operation Santa Claus 2023 will help its project which provides therapy sessions for ethnic minority children with special educational needs. The Zubin Foundation's project at its Family Centre near Austin MTR Station provides 10 free therapy sessions for non-Chinese children aged 6 to 12 who present signs of ADHD, autism or speech delay.  Project manager Dr Ravina Lalvani, who is also a clinical psychologist, told RTHK's Annemarie Evans that the project, which "involves a lot of play", teaches children to develop social skills and how to regulate their emotions. "They learn - if they're not making eye contact - the practice skills that help them make eye contact. If a child is inattentive, then the child will be practising how to focus. So, it's a lot of individual training for the child," she said. Lalvani added that external therapists also work with the children on Saturdays. The project has several stages, including an interview with parents to get background information, school and home visits to understand the child's classroom behaviour and family environment, and a one-on-one meeting with the child for observation and rapport building. Nepalese mum Urmila goes to the centre for the therapy sessions with her young son. She said her son's self-control has improved since starting the therapy. "When he's angry, he's screaming too much and then [we] cannot control him... Someone [told] me about the Zubin Foundation and then I contacted Ms Ravina. After two sessions, he's improved very much. He did a very big jump," she said. The "Magic Moments"-themed OSC campaign this year is raising money for 16 charities which cater to the needs of underprivileged children, the elderly and people with disabilities among others. If you want to find out more about Operation Santa Claus or wish to make a donation, visit the Operation Santa Claus website.