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An autism treatment center in south China is under investigation following the death last month of a 4-year-old patient who was made to walk 19 kilometers the day before he died, supposedly as part of his therapy.

File photo of Jiajia, the 4-year-old boy with autism. [Photo: dayoo.com]

The child, identified only as "Jiajia" died from pneumonia and encephalitis on April 27 at the Tiandaozhengqi Rehabilitation Institution in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong Province.

The night before he died, the child "became feverish and was up all night urinating," according to records kept by the center.

His mother, Zhang Wei, sent him to the center in March.

"I read the founder Xia Dejun's book on autism and decided to give his treatments a try," she said.

She said she was told long-distance walking was a key part of the treatment program.

"Xia said intense physical exercise helps children discharge toxins and boosts their overall health," she said.

Also, parents are not allowed to stay with their children, said Zhang, who lives in northeast China's Liaoning Province, which is about 3,000km from Guangzhou.

She said she was informed of her son's death over the phone.

"I was told the treatment was designed to replace parents who were too soft, and toughen up the children in mind and body."

'Fundamentally wrong'

Zou Xiaobing, an expert on childhood neurodevelopmental disorders with the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, said there is no evidence to show physical exercise is of any use in the treatment of autism.

"And taking children away from their parents is fundamentally wrong," he said.

Zhang paid more than 15,000 yuan (US$2,300) a month for her son's treatment. At the time of his death, there were about 11 children, aged between 3 and 7, at the center.

The center's operation has been suspended as it is being investigated by a panel of police, business officials and doctors.

There are estimated to be more than 10 million people in China with autism, about a fifth of whom are under 14, according to figures from the China's Disabled Persons' Federation.

Education and treatment of autistic children in China are mainly dependent upon private institutions. In April, about 77,000 autistic children were registered with such institutions nationwide.

Zhang said she had been looking at a treatment program in Beijing, but it had a waiting list of a year.

"I was eager to send Jiajia for treatment, but I couldn't be more regretful of my decision," she said.

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