"According to the statistics from the second China National
Sample Survey on Disability, there are 100,000 autistic children in
China. But the real number is much bigger than that," said an
official surnamed Li with the Beijing Rehabilitation Association
for Autistic Children (BRAAC). "Beijing alone has about 80,000
autistic children," Li said.
A report by China Central Television (CCTV) said China has at
least 1.8 million people, including 400,000 children, suffering
from autism.
Autism is a mental disorder that makes it very difficult for
people to communicate properly, or to form relationship with
others. It accounts for a hefty proportion of mental disability
among children, but its cause is a mystery. Some scientists believe
it is genetic, while others say it could be environmental.
Doctors say children with autism should receive treatment
between the ages of two and 12. With proper treatment at the right
time, 20 to 30 percent of sufferers will learn to be independent
adults.
However, there are only a few institutions in the country with
adequate funding to give special treatment to autistic children,
and "a lot of autistic children miss prime opportunities for
treatment because of inadequate institutions and funds", according
to Jia Meixiang, deputy chairman of BRAAC.
"The burden falls almost completely on the shoulders of the
patients, and some parents have to fund rehabilitation centers
themselves," said Jia, quoting Wang Guoqiang, father of an autistic
child, who has donated 100,000 yuan each year since 2005 to BRAAC
to sponsor poor families with autistic children.
Autism patients are not covered by Chinese law on the Protection
of the Handicapped.
Earlier reports suggest that China is making efforts to improve
the situation of autistic patients. Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan called
on the public to care more for children suffering from autism at a
charity function to raise funds for the disabled on Dec. 1.
The China Welfare Fund for the Handicapped also pledged to set
up a special fund to support research into autism and establish
rehabilitation organizations for children.
(Xinhua News Agency December 7, 2006)