As social animals, humans are naturally inclined to seek ways to effectively express ourselves as we communicate and engage with others. However, navigating daily life and interpersonal interaction can often be challenging for special educational needs (SEN) children, as they grapple with sensory overload, verbal communication barriers, and emotional regulation.
Here, art comes in as therapy. Bypassing verbal communication and leveraging nonverbal expression, art therapy enables SEN children (and adults) to externalize their emotions and inner experiences through various artistic mediums ranging from drawing and painting to sculpting and collage-making. In many ways, artistic creation empowers SEN children to process, recognize, and express their thoughts, ideas, and emotions without the pressure of identifying the right words.
Helping SEN Children Transcend Verbal Communication Barriers with Art Journal
On 1 March, 15 HSBC Hub for the Future community members and three FSI staff gathered at the Hong Kong Disneyland before the clock even struck 10 in the morning. The occasion? To volunteer our support for a day trip organized by the Sovereign Art Foundation (SAF) for approximately 227 individuals from 60 families with SEN children.
Founded in 2003, the Sovereign Art Foundation runs community outreach programs that use Expressive Arts Therapy to support children with different needs. Notably, its Make It Better Programme is a Hong Kong-based community outreach program that provides SEN children living in vulnerable communities with access to the therapeutic benefits of Expressive Arts Therapy, and the day trip to Disneyland is organized under this program.
Having received the SEN families upon their arrival, Hub members distributed the Art Journal designed by SAF to help SEN children express their feelings and experiences during their time at Disneyland. As the families folded the A3 sheet into a journal under the instructions of Hub members, they also learned about the activities planned for the day: There were six tasks to be completed, such as documenting their experiences through writing or painting, and families who completed more than four tasks would find a small prize await at the end of the day.
Hub members also explained the safety protocols to the SEN children. For example, the children were advised to have their parents’ phone number handy and to seek help from an adult in case they became separated from their parents.
Winding Down a Fun Day Out with Gifts and Interaction
As the families returned to the meeting points after completing the day’s activities, they also received gifts from Hub members, who made meaningful conversations with the children and their parents to learn about their unique experiences as documented in the journals.
“I was very happy to accompany a SEN family to Disneyland,” said Rachel Cheng Ka Shuen, recipient of the 2025 HSBC Hong Kong Scholarship. “While waiting in line for the rides, I took the time to chat with the children and found that they were very willing to express their feelings. When I gave them compliments, they became happier and more confident. I learned how to show empathy and patience. Disneyland is a great place that allows them to be in a relaxed environment and be willing to open up. Thank you for offering this chance to me!”
Also finding the volunteering experience rewarding was Evelyne So Long Ching, recipient of the 2021 HSBC Greater Bay Area Scholarship. “This experience allowed us to help out and interact with families with SEN children in a way that wouldn’t be too overwhelming for those of us who are first-timers.
It’s great that there are organizations like SAF that do this type of work for low-income SEN kids and their families. I understand that there is a spectrum to the levels of support different SEN kids require, but after today, I realized that family structure and dynamics also play a huge role in shaping their education and future paths.”
Gratitude also flowed from SAF to the volunteering HSBC Scholars. Said Charles Chan, Expressive Arts Therapist, The Sovereign Art Foundation: “To our volunteers and FSI, thank you for showing your heart. I will remember your crouching, listening, and laughing with families, and how even a sheet of tattoo stickers became a gentle way for some children with special educational needs (SEN) to share their feelings. Your care made this Disney day a rare, treasured memory for the families we supported.”
“Our magical trip to Disneyland, in collaboration with FSI, offered the children from our Make It Better Programme a deeper and more meaningful experience through interactions with caring volunteers beyond their usual community,” said Christina Lum, Senior Art Facilitator, The Sovereign Art Foundation. “The Art Journal’s expressive arts challenges encouraged mindfulness, observation, and self-expression as they explored the park. Seeing the children’s joy, confidence, and pride grow through these supportive connections with the volunteers was truly heartwarming.”
As the secretariat of the HSBC Scholarship Scheme and the coordinator for Hub for the Future – a community of past and current recipients of HSBC Scholarships – FSI works to transform the Hub community into a force for good. Since July 2024, we have provided the Hub community with opportunities for mentorship, leadership development, skills acquisition, and community service activities. Learn more about our youth empowerment work here.
