At present, a child suspected to have special needs would be assessed by the child assessment centre. He/she will then be waitlisted for subvention training services in places such as the early education and training centre, integrated childcare centre and special childcare centre. According to the figures from 5 of our early education and training centres, over 95% of the 240 children admitted in the year 2004 had to wait for 6 months or more. Such a prolonged waiting period always raises parents' stress and anxiety. Besides, the inclusive education in primary schools promoted by EMB is still at an exploratory stage. Some parents find that they cannot get any help from the school at least for the first six months after their children are promoted to primary 1. Regression is obvious in those children with special needs after they have stopped receiving training for a few months. This makes the parents even more helpless and depressed.

In view of the above, we started Project Bridge for Children's Development early this year to promote and actualize the concept of "Early Identification and Early Intervention". Our multi-professional team includes clinical psychologists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, senior special childcare workers and social workers. Our service includes specialized assessment, individual training, group training, parental education and teacher's development.

This project is launched to serve as a bridge of love to connect the children, the parents, the teachers and professionals to help children with special needs and their families.