China News Service, April 2 (Sweet) They can see but seldom take the initiative to look at others, and they can hear but don't love contact with the outside world.
Like a star in the sky, one person, one world.
They are "children from the stars".
From "Children of the Stars".
April 2 is World Autism Day. Let us take care of children with autism and add a warmer possibility to their future.
Graphics: Lei Yuzhu, China News Network
April 2nd is "World Autism Day".
According to United Nations estimates, currently, more than 70 million people worldwide suffer from autism.
At the time of the spread of the new crown epidemic, they, who already had many obstacles such as social communication, were living in a more severe social environment.
Let us once again speak out for the plight of people with autism and create a more inclusive society for them.
Through loneliness, embrace each "TA" tenderly.
Solitude: Who will polish that "window"?
The little Iraqi boy Samir always likes to lie on the railing of his balcony and stay for several hours.
This is his "only window" to the outside world.
Since he was a child with autism, he would wave to passing vehicles and watch other children playing, but rarely went out to communicate with them.
His mother said, "I hope he can go to a normal school like other children... I also hope he can talk to me. I want to hear his voice and listen to him calling me'mother'."
The Iraqi boy Samir (right) is with his family.
Image source of UNHCRDiego Ibarra Sánchez: United Nations website
Autism, also known as autism, is a lifelong neurological disease that begins in childhood.
It mostly occurs before the age of 3, and the core obstacles are social communication, narrow interests, and stereotyped repetitive behavior.
According to United Nations data, as of now, there are probably more than 70 million people suffering from autism in the world.
Approximately 1 in every 160 children is sick.
In China, there are 13 million people with autism, of whom more than 3 million are children under the age of 14.
The cause of autism is still unknown.
According to the World Health Organization, existing scientific evidence shows that many factors may cause some children to suffer from ASD, including environmental factors and genetic factors.
Silence, alienation, isolation...These words put special "labels" on children.
But they are actually just "children from the stars", and they are eager to love and be loved.
In a short documentary filmed by Benjamin, an autistic patient, he always likes to ask other people, "Can I call you?" All the interviewees responded with a smile: "Of course!"
After hearing the answer, Benjamin couldn't help but smile happily.
He said that this short film tells the story of his getting along with able-bodied people.
But who can deny that every "Of course!" is not a warm invitation from the world to him?
Data map: UNICEF assisted in the development of autism detection tools and provided training for medical staff.
Image source of UNICEF: United Network website
Helpless: the new crown epidemic exacerbates the dilemma
The cruel reality is that for a long time, many autistic patients have suffered unequal treatment in education and medical treatment.
The new crown epidemic has further exacerbated this inequality.
At the moment, in Nova Scotia, Canada, some parents are worried that the epidemic will have a "destructive" impact on their children with autism.
Because these children should be treated with a one-year early intensive behavioral intervention program before they formally enter school.
However, due to the impact of the epidemic, the service organization was first forced to suspend for several months, and then due to funding problems after the restart, the length of study was greatly shortened and training programs were reduced.
Can the children adapt to school life?
How can we help them make more friends and not be discriminated against and bullied by others?
Will they never confide in their inner thoughts?
The feeling of helplessness weighed on the parents.
An investigation by The Wall Street Journal also showed that due to the lack of relevant medical professionals under the new crown epidemic, it is particularly difficult to diagnose and treat patients with intellectual development disorders such as autism.
In addition, because some patients themselves suffer from underlying diseases, their new crown mortality rate is also much higher than that of ordinary people.
"The epidemic and its impact on society put autistic patients at great risk." UN Secretary-General Guterres previously pointed out specifically.
The "collapse" of social support systems in some countries and regions has caused autistic patients to face greater obstacles in exercising their rights.
Data map: Maggie, a little girl from Telford, UK, suffers from Asperger's syndrome, sensory cognitive impairment (SPD) and hyperactivity, and loves to spend time with toilet paper.
Image source: Oriental IC copyright works please do not reprint
Hope: exploring challenges and opportunities
The problems faced by autistic patients don't stop there.
Because core obstacles accompany life, many people grow up to adulthood, and after entering society, they may still be "difficult to move an inch."
An American mother, Alexandra, introduced that her son with autism is smart and willing to work, but his senses are more sensitive than ordinary people and his social style is also special.
"This means that the traditional working environment is always difficult for him."
Continuous conversations with others may make him feel anxious, and noise and fluorescent lights in the work environment may also cause him a burden.
How can we help autistic patients better integrate into social life?
To this end, the United Nations will hold an online event themed "Inclusiveness in the Workplace: Challenges and Opportunities in the Post-epidemic World" on April 8, 2021, to hold group discussions with people with autism spectrum disorder.
The United Nations pointed out that under the epidemic, new ways of working, including remote work and the use of new technologies, have created opportunities for people with autism.
For example, using social software to work at home, their social pressure can be greatly eased.
Data map: A child with autism in Egypt is studying and training.
UNICEF picture Rehab El-Dalil Picture source: United Nations website
Hand in hand: never give up every "TA"
Although there is still no known cure for autism, we should understand this disease more deeply and systematically, let alone give up every "TA" that needs help!
——How early can it be found that children have autism spectrum disorder?
It is difficult to find out before one year old, but the diagnosis can usually be made by two years old.
The characteristics of the disease include delayed or temporary regression of language and social skills development, and the appearance of repetitive stereotyped behavior patterns.
——How to help people with autism?
Parents can help ensure that children receive health services and education, and provide a caring and encouraging environment.
The society should provide children and their families with relevant information, services, referrals and practical support that meet their respective needs.
Evidence-based psychosocial interventions, such as behavioral therapy and parent skills training programs.
Governments of various countries can increase investment in publicity and treatment of autism, and make the physical, social and public opinion environment more convenient, inclusive and supportive.
I hope that all the children from the "stars" can be treated with tenderness, grow up healthily, and realize their "Xingyu wish".
(Finish)