Welcome to Alternative Academy's "Everyone is a Champion" programme. A Harvard-inspired approach to education for children and youth with neurodiversity

  • Based on Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences Theory

    Every child has unique strengths and learning styles

  • Interdisciplinary, problem-based learning

    Students explore and apply knowledge across multiple subjects

  • Holistic education

    Integrating physical, social, emotional, and moral growth, and equips students with skills for real-life application

  • Positive emotional experiences 

    In an engaging, supportive learning environment

  • Strong community connection

    Fosters meaningful relationships and participation

  • Empowers students

    To explore interests, build competencies, and discover vocational pathways for future success 

Champion programme’s core value

  • Identity development and affirmation through competence building and community connection

  • We not only integrate a consultation (on the child’s strengths and positive attributes) with skills building, parent’s training, but also a mindset shift and improved interaction between parent and child for positive identity development

  • We affirm the child’s identity of being different, tap into the child’s strengths, and provide a community that allow the child’s competence and confidence to be expressed. 

  • Is the "Everyone is a Champion" Programme for Your Child?

    This programme is designed for Youth with mild to moderate ASD, ADHD, or dyslexia. Youth experiencing mild to moderate mental health issues like depression or anxiety. Families where at least one parent is available to participate in consultations and coaching. Youth who are engageable in a taster session (screened by our psychologists).

    (Note: This programme is not currently equipped for Youth in crisis with active suicidal ideation, disruptive/defiant behaviours, or complex gender identity issues requiring specialised support.)

  • Why Choose "Everyone is a Champion"?

    The "Everyone is a Champion" programme is built on a foundation of identity development and affirmation through competence building and community connection. We don't just focus on skills, we nurture the whole child.

  • What Makes Our Programme Unique and Valuable?

    Value & Uniqueness

    • Identity affirming of neurodivergent (ND) characteristics
    • Matching interest and vocational direction for ND characteristics
    • Coaching and mentoring ND youth in community activity engagement
    • Providing parents with a strength-based, ND-affirming mindset and skills

  • Expected outcome

    • Positive self-esteem, confidence, and sense of pride.
    • Person-environment match to actualise the full potential of ND youth’s strength and special gifts.
    • Promoting social and emotional health in ND youth and a sense of inclusion and belongingness.
    • Reduced parenting stress and improved family relations for greater mental well-being.

Watch the following video to learn more:

Recognising Your Child's Strengths:

Individuals with mild ASD, ADHD, or dyslexia often possess unique talents. We help identify and nurture skills such as:

  • Creativity
  • Attention to Detail
  • Hyper focus
  • Visual Thinking
  • Pattern Recognition
  • Empathy
  • Tech Savviness
  • Physical Coordination
  • Problem-Solving Skills
  • Entrepreneurial Spirit

By understanding and leveraging these strengths, your child can explore a wide range of vocational directions aligned with their abilities and interests.

We help your child find direction and excel by:

  • Affirming each child’s unique identity and strengths.
  • Supporting both mindset shifts and skills growth.
  • Offering tailored tracks in Arts, Science, Design, and Media.
  • Fostering positive parent-child interaction for lasting change.

There are 3 parts in the programme

  • 1. Initial stage consultation

  • 2. Skills training

  • 3. Parent-Child Mentor Coaching & Community Connection

Part 1: Initial Stage Consultation – Understanding Your Child

Our consultation process is designed to affirm your child’s strengths and identity from the very beginning. It involves two sessions, each lasting 1.5 hours, typically scheduled one week apart:

  • First session:

    Psychologist consults with both youth and parent for 30 minutes. Psychologist consults with parents for 60 minutes

  • Second session:

    Youth meet with trainer for 75 minutes on taster course, 2-3 tracks. Consultation feedback with parents for 30 minutes (youth join for 15 minutes)

Content of consultation

Questionnaires

  • Values In Action Survey
  • Multiple Intelligence interest
  • Results will be provided

Interview

  • Psychosocial history, developmental history, academic, social-emotional competence and mental health

Recommendation

  • Perspective transformation
  • Home environment adjustment
  • Focus of development and interactions
  • Identification of strength and positive attributes
  • Direction of development of interests, strengths, vocation, etc.
  • Pitfalls to avoid

Part 2: Skills Training – Building Competence and Confidence

Our skills training is tailored to your child's interests and designed to build not just technical skills but also confidence and a positive self-identity. We offer pilot courses in three main divisions:

  • STEAM:

    Exploring coding, science, and game design.

    *Example STEAM Course:
    "Introduction to Python & Game Design" - 20 weeks, 1.5 hours/week.

  • Design Solution:

    Engaging with craft, music, art, design, and drawing.

    *Example Design Solution Course: "Digital Art & Music Creation Basics" - 20 weeks, 1.5 hours/week.

  • Media Creation:

    Developing skills in writing and scripting, storytelling, performing, audio & visual production.

    *Example Media Creation Course: "Storytelling & Short Film Production" - 20 weeks, 1.5 hours/week.

Key Features of Our Skills Training:

  • Focus on Identity Development

    We encourage youth to share their personal stories, fostering a sense of belonging and pride in their identities, and empowering them to view challenges as part of their growth.

  • Technology Integration:

    We utilise technology, AI tools, and relevant platforms, including prompt engineering basics and engage students in diverse types of learning.

  • Holistic Curriculum:

    Our course material integrates:PERMA (Positive emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, accomplishment) Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Narrative intervention techniques, Resilience development strategies, Positive identity development frameworks (Social Identity, Narrative Identity, Resilience Framework)

  • Engaging Themes:

    Training modules are built around themes like STEAM exploration, design and craft with music, and media creation involving storytelling and drama.

  • Regular Feedback:

    Tutors provide feedback at the end of each session. Our psychologists supervise a monthly review of tutors’ feedback to ensure progress and address any emerging needs.

  • Personalised Milestones:

    Progress is tracked based on an individual learning plan, with nominally 3 to 5 milestones per learning cycle (full course), including community projects.

  • Tutors as Mentors:

    Our skilled tutors also act as secondary mentors, providing ongoing support and guidance.

Part 3: Parent-Child Mentor Coaching & Community Connection – Strengthening Bonds

We believe that lasting change involves the whole family and connection with the wider community.

  • Mentoring:

    Includes 4 dedicated mentoring sessions.

  • Parent-as-Coach:

    We equip parents with coaching skills in 2 dedicated sessions.

  • Community Projects:

    Your child will engage in projects that connect with the community and others, applying their new skills in real-world contexts with mentor support.

  • Community Development:

    We facilitate interactions with community members, supported by mentors, tailored to your child’s characteristics and interests.

  • Programme Report & Recommendation:

    The programme culminates in a final session with the psychologist to discuss progress, provide a programme report, and offer recommendations for continued growth.

Consultation Schedule:

  • Initial consultations are available:

    Every Tuesday: 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM Every Thursday: 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM Other times are available by appointment only.

  • Programme Fees:

    Initial Consultation: 

    HK$4,500 for a 2-session package (1.5 hours per session)  

     
    Skills Training Course Part 1: (3 months) 
    HK$13,500 for 12 sessions (1.5 hours per session) 
    (If we receive full payment in advance, the student will receive a 5% discount. The discounted price is HK$12,825.) 

     
    Skills Training Course Part 2: (5 months) 
    HK$22,500 for 20 sessions (1.5 hours per session) 
    After completion of Part 1, the family can participate in Part 2 of the program. 
    (If we receive full payment in advance, the student will receive a 5% discount. The discounted price is HK$21,375.) 

  • Financial Assistance:

    At this time, the pilot programme is not free. We encourage families who require financial assistance to wait for future funding opportunities.

  • Parent Involvement is Key:

    For the pilot programme, at least one parent must participate in the initial consultation and, ideally, the final 4 sessions of the course (Parent-Child Mentor Coaching). This collaborative approach ensures the maximum benefit for your child and family.

  • Ready to Begin? Enrollment is easy via our web-based form.

    Contact us now