They laughed and cheered as the music resumed. They appeared to be acting like any child would be at that age. However, the children in the Rainbow Project have autism.

There were seven students between seven and 10 years old. Five instructors interacted with them. They played with flashcards and puzzles.

Each activity was used to develop the skills autism hinders.

The Rainbow Project aims to teach autistic children how to interact in a mainstream school setting.

Since its establishment in 1999, the project has successfully sent three autistic children onto mainstream school. Education director Tad Pu said in an interview with The Standard that children are taught a variety of skills in social communication, language and academics; along with motor and sensory improvements.

Pu said that class sizes are small in order to cater to the different levels of each child. This allows instructors to have a more personal relationship with the students.

Teacher Joyce Yiu flashed pictures for 8-year-old Cheung Hau-cheung to name. He struggled to place the picture. She pushed him and finally Cheung answered. Yiu praised Cheung and they moved to the next. Yiu said that she's quite pleased with her work.

Pu gave the example of Bryan Sim, a boy who entered the project four years ago, ``who didn't talk'' because he had non-verbal autism.

``Now he reads books and does math problems,'' Pu said.

It was a huge improvement from where Bryan had started, he said, ``Everyone [here] makes a big change in behavior.''

Autism is a complex development disability. Adults and children afflicted with the disorder have difficulty with communication, understanding and social interaction.

Fifteen out of every 10,000 people have some form of autism. Four out of five individuals with this disability are male. It is not limited to any particular ethnic, racial or social group.

As of 2002, it was estimated that 1,230 Hong Kong children under the age of 15 had autism.

Yiu said that people often tell her that she must have a lot of patience and ``that it must be really stressful'' to work with these children. But Yiu sees it differently.

``I really enjoy working with them, I don't feel the pressure,'' Yiu said.

She has been with the project for two years. Yiu said that she's always had an interest with helping kids with disabilities, even with the difficulties that sometimes arise.

``When you're with them you totally forget about that,'' Yiu said. ``Even though there are times it's really hard getting them engaged with you.''

But those times are few, she said. ``Most of the time you don't feel all that pressure because it's fun, it's enjoyable,'' Yiu said. In order to prepare students for mainstream school, Pu said they are given opportunities to apply their skills inside and outside the classroom.

The Rainbow Project, a non-profit organization, was established by a group of parents and child care professionals.

The school is financed from donations and tuition fees, which is HK$10,540 per month. The demand for special education for autistic children has grown.

Pu said that the waiting list to enrol in the 10-month program is quite long. She said that there are hopes for expansion based on the Rainbow Project model so that the growing number of autistic children can be accommodated.