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Breaking down the barriers of autism

By Zhang Junmian: 0 Comment(s)Print E-mail China.org.cn, April 3, 2013

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Weizhuo, who was diagnosed with autism when he was three, received rehabilitative treatment with the financial support from donors. He contributed three pieces to the exhibition.

Huang Fengxiao (L), a woman from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region shared her sad story and extended her deep gratitude to those who have helped her throughout the years. [Photo by Zhang Junmian/China.org.cn]

30-year-old Chuanchuan, who enthralled visitors with his accordion performance, also has three of his works on display at the exhibition.

Chuanchuan, an diagnosed with autism at the age of three, has passed the national tests for piano amateur performers- Band 8 and for accordion amateur performers -Band 5, indicating technical skills far above the ordinary level.

Chuanchuan, an diagnosed with autism at the age of three, enthralled visitors with his accordion performance. [Photo by Zhang Junmian/China.org.cn]

"With their learning difficulties, most autistic children need more time to digest knowledge, learn the necessary life skills or master techniques than other normal children," one father of an autistic boy said. "It's a really tortuous process for them."

Chuanchuan's mother has been suffering from rather serious clinical depression throughout these years. All the hardships she has faced in looking after her son have made her bitterly sad, but she said, "I have to persuade myself to always be strong, as it's the only option."

However, the 60-year-old woman couldn't stop worrying about her son's future. "I don't know who I can trust Chuanchuan to when I am too old to take care of him."

She added, "All parents of autistic children face the same problem, since there aren't any institutions to receive older autistic sufferers in the country so far."

The 6th Annual Art Exhibition by Autistic Children opened at the National Aquatic Center (Water Cube) in Beijing on April 2, 2013. [Photo by Zhang Junmian/China.org.cn]

"The only hope at present is that we live as long as possible," said one father of an autistic boy, expressing his hope that the government can make more efforts to increase the accessibility of essential services to autistic children, such as healthcare, education and employment.

According to the latest statistics, there are currently some 67 million people suffering from autism worldwide. In China alone, there are about 1-1.5 million autism sufferers, usually looked down upon by others, and this number is gradually increasing. The disorder has thus far become China's main cause of children's mental disability and impairment.

China only has more than 500 rehabilitation facilities for autistic children, and most of them are non-governmental ones facing various difficulties in their quest for sustainable development, including land use, as well as a shortage of funds and professionals.