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Wolfson Institute of Population Health

Dr Simpson Wong

Simpson

Lecturer in Mental Health

Email: simpson.wong@qmul.ac.uk

Profile

I am a Lecturer in Mental Health and a Co-director of the MSc Mental Health: Cultural Psychology and Psychiatry, based at the Unit of Psychological Medicine in the Centre of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Wolfson Institute for Population Health.

I completed an undergraduate degree in Psychology at the University of Hong Kong. After working as a mental health worker for the Salvation Army, I did an MPhil study investigating the cognitive deficits of developmental dyslexia. During my DPhil study at the University of Oxford, I conducted a longitudinal twin study, examining the roles of genes and environment on language and cognitive development. In the last decade, I completed 28 theoretical and applied projects covering a range of areas, including behavioural and molecular genetics, mindfulness, virtual reality, comic/graphic novel reading, bilingualism, physical health, etc. In particular, I am interested in studying the cognitive and social development in children with special educational needs, such as ADHD, Autism, Developmental Language Disorder, and Dyslexia. 

More recently, I have obtained a Master of Counselling (Monash) and a CertTESOL (Trinity) and have been applying my knowledge and skills to improve mental health in schools and the community.

Postgraduate Teaching

I am the Co-director of the MSc Mental Health: Cultural Psychology and Psychiatry. I also teach on the MSc Mental Health: Psychological Therapies

Research

Research Interests:

  • Behavioural and molecular genetics
  • Mindfulness
  • Virtual reality
  • comic/graphic novel reading
  • bi-/mulit-lingualism
  • Physical health, sport and exercise psychology

I am currently a Co-PI for a multidisciplinary project titled “Multimodal approaches to testing and prediction in early academic achievement: Chinese, English, and mathematics”.

Publications

  • Mok K-M, Sze CHH, Yu CCW et al. (publicationYear). A Self-Narrative Study: Changes in Physical Ability and Social Communication in Children with Autism through Taekwondo Training with Elements of Music Therapy from the Parents’ Perspective. nameOfConference


  • Wong SWL, Li W-O, Cheung A (2023). Graphic novel reading comprehension in Chinese children with developmental language disorder (DLD). nameOfConference


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  • Ip HHS, Wong SWL, Chan DFY et al. (2024). Enhance affective expression and social reciprocity for children with autism spectrum disorder: using virtual reality headsets at schools. nameOfConference


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  • Xie Q, Zheng M, Ho CS-H et al. (2022). Exploring the Genetic and Environmental Etiologies of Phonological Awareness, Morphological Awareness, and Vocabulary Among Chinese–English Bilingual Children: The Moderating Role of Second Language Instruction. nameOfConference


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  • Wong SWL, Leung VWH, Tsui JKY et al. (2021). Chinese ESL learners’ perceptual errors of English connected speech: Insights into listening comprehension. nameOfConference


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  • Chow BW, Wong SWL (2021). What does genetic research tell us about the origins of language and literacy development? A reflection on Verhoef et al. (2020). nameOfConference


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  • Wong SWL, Yu CCW, Li AM (publicationYear). The Understanding of Peak Oxygen Uptake in Children Aged 8–16. nameOfConference


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  • Wong SWL, Cheung H, Zheng M et al. (2020). Effect of Twinning on Chinese and English Vocabulary Knowledge. nameOfConference


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  • Wong SWL, Lin CCY, Wong ISY et al. (2020). The Differential Effects of Subtitles on the Comprehension of Native English Connected Speech Varying in Types and Word Familiarity. nameOfConference


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  • Wong SWL, Dealey J, Leung VWH et al. (2021). Production of English connected speech processes: an assessment of Cantonese ESL learners’ difficulties obtaining native-like speech. nameOfConference


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  • Wong SWL, Cheng RW-Y, Chow BW-Y et al. (2019). The Link Between a Set of Tangram-Based Tasks and Chinese and English Reading and Related Skills Among Chinese Kindergarteners. nameOfConference


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  • Lo HHM, Wong JYH, Wong SWL et al. (2019). Applying Mindfulness to Benefit Economically Disadvantaged Families: A Randomized Controlled Trial. nameOfConference


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  • Chan TKS, Wong SWL, Wong AM-Y et al. (2019). The Influence of Presentation Format of Story on Narrative Production in Chinese Children Learning English-as-a-Second-Language: A Comparison Between Graphic Novel, Illustration Book and Text. nameOfConference


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  • Yu CCW, Wong SWL, Lo FSF et al. (2018). Study protocol: a randomized controlled trial study on the effect of a game-based exercise training program on promoting physical fitness and mental health in children with autism spectrum disorder. nameOfConference


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  • Ip HHS, Wong SWL, Chan DFY et al. (2018). Enhance emotional and social adaptation skills for children with autism spectrum disorder: A virtual reality enabled approach. nameOfConference


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  • Tong X, McBride C, Ho CS-H et al. (2018). Correction to: Within- and cross-language contributions of morphological awareness to word reading and vocabulary in Chinese–English bilingual learners. nameOfConference


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  • Lo HHM, Wong SWL, Wong JYH et al. (2020). The Effects of Family-Based Mindfulness Intervention on ADHD Symptomology in Young Children and Their Parents: A Randomized Control Trial. nameOfConference


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  • Chow BW, Ho CS, Wong SWL et al. (2017). Home environmental influences on children's language and reading skills in a genetically sensitive design: Are socioeconomic status and home literacy environment environmental mediators and moderators?. nameOfConference


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  • Tong X, McBride C, Ho CS-H et al. (2018). Within- and cross-language contributions of morphological awareness to word reading and vocabulary in Chinese–English bilingual learners. nameOfConference


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  • Ho CS-H, Wong SW-L, Chow BW-Y et al. (2017). Genetic and environmental etiology of speech and word reading in Chinese. nameOfConference


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  • Chow BW-Y, Chiu HT, Wong SWL (2018). Anxiety in reading and listening English as a foreign language in Chinese undergraduate students. nameOfConference


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  • Ip HHS, Lai CH-Y, Wong SWL et al. (2017). Visuospatial attention in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A comparison between 2-D and 3-D environments. nameOfConference


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  • Wong SWL, Tsui JKY, Chow BW-Y et al. (2017). Perception of Native English Reduced Forms in Adverse Environments by Chinese Undergraduate Students. nameOfConference


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  • Wong SWL, Miao H, Cheng RW-Y et al. (2017). Graphic Novel Comprehension Among Learners with Differential Cognitive Styles and Reading Abilities. nameOfConference


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  • Wong SWL, Ho CS-H, McBride C et al. (2017). Less is More in Hong Kong: Investigation of Biscriptal and Trilingual Development Among Chinese Twins in a (Relatively) Small City. nameOfConference


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  • Ho CS-H, Zheng M, Chow BW-Y et al. (2017). Adequacy of Using a Three-Item Questionnaire to Determine Zygosity in Chinese Young Twins. nameOfConference


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  • Tong X, Lo JCM, McBride C et al. (2016). Coarse and fine N1 tuning for print in younger and older Chinese children: Orthography, phonology, or semantics driven?. nameOfConference


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  • Ip HHS, Wong SWL, Chan DFY et al. (2016). Virtual Reality Enabled Training for Social Adaptation in Inclusive Education Settings for School-Aged Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). nameOfConference


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  • Lo HHM, Wong SYS, Wong JYH et al. (2016). The effect of a family-based mindfulness intervention on children with attention deficit and hyperactivity symptoms and their parents: design and rationale for a randomized, controlled clinical trial (Study protocol). nameOfConference


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  • Wong SWL, Mok PPK, Chung KK-H et al. (2017). Perception of Native English Reduced Forms in Chinese Learners: Its Role in Listening Comprehension and Its Phonological Correlates. nameOfConference


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  • Wong SWL, Chow BW-Y, Ho CS-H et al. (2014). Genetic and Environmental Overlap Between Chinese and English Reading-Related Skills in Chinese Children. nameOfConference


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  • Lim CKB, Yeung VSY, Yeung TL et al. (2014). Genotype analyses using SNP (using Maldi-Tof mass spectrometry) and STR (microsatellite) markers in the determination of zygosity status of Chinese Twins. nameOfConference

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  • Chow BW-Y, Ho CS-H, Wong SW-L et al. (2013). Generalist genes and cognitive abilities in Chinese twins. nameOfConference


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  • Ho CS-H, Chow BW-Y, Wong SW-L et al. (2012). The Genetic and Environmental Foundation of the Simple View of Reading in Chinese. nameOfConference


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  • Wong SWL, McBride‐Chang C, Lam C et al. (2012). The Joint Effects of Risk Status, Gender, Early Literacy and Cognitive Skills on the Presence of Dyslexia Among a Group of High‐Risk Chinese Children. nameOfConference


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  • Wong SWL, Xiao MXY, Chung KKH (2012). Issues of culture and language in developmental disorders: The case of dyslexia in Chinese learners. nameOfConference


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  • Chung KKH, McBride‐Chang C, Cheung H et al. (2013). General auditory processing, speech perception and phonological awareness skills in Chinese–English biliteracy. nameOfConference


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  • CHOW BW, CHIU MM, WONG SW (2011). Emotional Intelligence, Social Problem‐Solving Skills, and Psychological Distress: A Study of Chinese Undergraduate Students1. nameOfConference


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  • Chow BW-Y, Ho CS-H, Wong SW-L et al. (publicationYear). Genetic and Environmental Influences on Chinese Language and Reading Abilities. nameOfConference


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  • McBride‐Chang C, Lam F, Lam C et al. (2011). Early predictors of dyslexia in Chinese children: familial history of dyslexia, language delay, and cognitive profiles. nameOfConference


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  • Wong SWL, Ho CS-H (2010). The Nature of the Automatization Deficit in Chinese Children with Dyslexia. nameOfConference


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  • Cheung H, Chung KKH, Wong SWL et al. (publicationYear). Speech Perception, Metalinguistic Awareness, Reading, and Vocabulary in Chinese–English Bilingual Children. nameOfConference


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  • Cheung H, Chung KKH, Wong SWL et al. (2009). Perception of tone and aspiration contrasts in Chinese children with dyslexia. nameOfConference


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  • Chung KKH, McBride-Chang C, Wong SWL et al. (2008). The role of visual and auditory temporal processing for Chinese children with developmental dyslexia. nameOfConference


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  • Lam FWF, McBride-Chang C, Lam CCC et al. (2008). Towards early identification of dyslexia in Chinese preschool children: A study on reading and cognitive profile in children with genetic risk of dyslexia in Hong Kong. nameOfConference

    DOI: doi

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  • McBride‐Chang C, Lam F, Lam C et al. (2008). Word recognition and cognitive profiles of Chinese pre‐school children at risk for dyslexia through language delay or familial history of dyslexia. nameOfConference


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