USJ-SED Delegation Visits Elim Autism School in Qingdao to Foster Early Intervention and Inclusive Education Dialogue
USJ-SED Delegation Visits Elim Autism School in Qingdao to Foster Early Intervention and Inclusive Education Dialogue
24
Jul
24/07/2025
The University of Saint Joseph, with funding support from Macao Foundation, organized a delegation of faculty and students to visit Elim Autism School in Qingdao from July 21 to 24.
(USJ-SED delegation in front of Elim’s Chengyang campus)
To promote exchange and collaboration between Macao and Mainland China in the fields of early intervention and inclusive education for children with autism, the School of Education at the University of Saint Joseph, with funding support from Macao Foundation, organized a delegation of faculty and students to visit Elim Autism School in Qingdao from July 21 to 24, 2025. This three-day educational visit was led by Assistant Professor Mo Chen with a group ten students from the School of Education with diverse backgrounds, including Master students majoring in Special Needs and Inclusive Education, PGDE student, and undergraduate student.
The core objective of this exchange was to enhance participants’ understanding of early intervention and inclusive education practices for children with autism in Mainland China, while also providing future teachers and in-service educators who are passionate about special education with a concrete and in-depth cross-cultural learning experience.
On the first day of the visit, the delegation toured the Chengyang campus of Elim Autism School in Qingdao. Students were assigned to different classrooms for in-class observation and served as one-day assistant teachers. They observed intervention techniques and teaching methods, engaged in discussions with frontline teachers, and directly experienced Elim’s strong emphasis on parental involvement in early intervention. During the visit, the delegation also held a discussion session with senior teachers and the school’s management team to gain deeper insight into the school’s philosophy and strategies.
During the discussion, the school’s founder Mrs. FANG Jing shared an impressive vision: “We don’t expect our children to outperform others—we simply hope every activity will enrich their lives.” This message deeply resonated with the delegation.
(USJ-SED delegation with Elim founder and senior teaching team at Chengyang campus)
(Prof. CHEN Mo gave the USJ souvenir to Elim’s founder Mrs. FANG Jing.)
The following day, the delegation visited the Laoshan Center of Elim School, which primarily serves individuals aged 13 and above with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The center has pioneered an integrated medical-educational intervention model known as the “Sunshine Class.” Mr. ZHAO Liang, the center’s director, explained to the delegation about the current situation of youth with autism in China, the development of the Sunshine Class, and shared valuable frontline experiences.
The delegation then observed several classes, including language, play, music, life skills, and also visited the supported employment center. Despite facing students with highly challenging behaviors, the teachers at the center demonstrated a consistently high level of professionalism and compassion.
(USJ-SED delegation with Mr. ZHAO Liang at Elim’s Laoshan Center)
Lastly, the delegation visited Elim’s West Coast Center, a newly established campus situated in a beautiful and tranquil environment. This center primarily serves young children with autism or developmental delays and is implementing early inclusive education practices. Ms. HUANG Jinli, the center’s director, is leading the teaching team on curriculum innovation, aiming to create a learning journey that fosters dignity and a sense of autonomy for each student.
All three campuses share a common emphasis on grouping students by ability rather than age. They tailor curriculum content and support strategies based on each student’s developmental needs, thereby putting true “individualized education” into practice.
(USJ-SED delegation with teacher representatives at Elim’s West Coast Center)
Through this exchange, the delegation came to understand that early intervention and inclusive education for children with autism go beyond the classroom—they extend into the family and community as well. Looking ahead, the University of Saint Joseph hopes to maintain strong ties with Elim Autism School and explore future partnerships that facilitate knowledge exchange and joint development. The experience has provided valuable insights for informing special and inclusive education practices and policy advancement in Macao.
