Autism can exact high social costs
Source: Xinhua |
February 20, 2011, Sunday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
QIQI is sitting in the corner of the room, quietly playing with toys. It seems that the four-year-old boy is no different than other children his age.
However, when Qiqi speaks, his unclear speech and lack of eye contact indicate there might be something wrong with him.
Qiqi is one of 37 children receiving rehabilitation training for autistic children at the Chunya Disabled Benefit Association in Hefei City, Anhui Province.
Autism is a neural disorder characterized by impaired social interaction and communication and repetitive behavior.
For decades, autism went largely undiagnosed in China and the central government only recognized it as a disability in 2006.
It is estimated that there are about 3 to 5 million people living with autism in China, He Zongwen, vice chairman of the Anhui Disabled Federation said, adding that the diagnosis rate of autism is on the rise worldwide.
"Autism can cause poverty to families, which may lead to social instability," He said.
Usually, one of the parents with an autistic child has to quit his or her job to look after the kid as people with autism cannot take care of themselves. At the same time, the family has to pay high costs for rehabilitation training.
As a result, many parents with autistic children are impoverished and suffer from stress. Many grandparents of autistic children are also forced to share the financial and mental burdens.
Under the current welfare system, parents have to rely on their children to take care of them when they become older.
But parents and grandparents of autistic children often find themselves trying to support their autistic child in their old age, He said.
There is no cure or widely accepted treatment for autism. The only way to improve the prognosis is early intervention and long-term specialized training.
The training of autistic children in China is largely dependent upon privately run rehabilitation schools, which are poorly funded.
He said Anhui has about 10 autism rehabilitation facilities and each holds only 20 to 30 children.
There are about 100,000 to 150,000 children with autism in the province.
(Xinhua)
However, when Qiqi speaks, his unclear speech and lack of eye contact indicate there might be something wrong with him.
Qiqi is one of 37 children receiving rehabilitation training for autistic children at the Chunya Disabled Benefit Association in Hefei City, Anhui Province.
Autism is a neural disorder characterized by impaired social interaction and communication and repetitive behavior.
For decades, autism went largely undiagnosed in China and the central government only recognized it as a disability in 2006.
It is estimated that there are about 3 to 5 million people living with autism in China, He Zongwen, vice chairman of the Anhui Disabled Federation said, adding that the diagnosis rate of autism is on the rise worldwide.
"Autism can cause poverty to families, which may lead to social instability," He said.
Usually, one of the parents with an autistic child has to quit his or her job to look after the kid as people with autism cannot take care of themselves. At the same time, the family has to pay high costs for rehabilitation training.
As a result, many parents with autistic children are impoverished and suffer from stress. Many grandparents of autistic children are also forced to share the financial and mental burdens.
Under the current welfare system, parents have to rely on their children to take care of them when they become older.
But parents and grandparents of autistic children often find themselves trying to support their autistic child in their old age, He said.
There is no cure or widely accepted treatment for autism. The only way to improve the prognosis is early intervention and long-term specialized training.
The training of autistic children in China is largely dependent upon privately run rehabilitation schools, which are poorly funded.
He said Anhui has about 10 autism rehabilitation facilities and each holds only 20 to 30 children.
There are about 100,000 to 150,000 children with autism in the province.
(Xinhua)
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