(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-04-07 07:02

Last Wednesday, the first World Autism Awareness Day, was quietly observed in the country.

The United Nations General Assembly designated April 2 as a day to focus on children and adults suffering from autism. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's appeal to empower them and respond to their needs should not fall on deaf ears.

Autism is diagnosed by a child's behavior. For decades the diagnosis was related only to children with severe language and social impairments, and unusual, repetitive behavior. But in the 1990s, the autism umbrella was expanded and now includes people with milder conditions.

There are more than 60 million people with autism across the world. Many of them are in third world countries in Africa and Asia, and do not have access to proper public services. According to researchers, autism affects about 1 in every 150 children, but no one knows what causes it.

Autism causes children to experience a world different from most others. It is a brain development disorder that impairs social interaction and communication.

We should take a closer look at this much misunderstood disorder and also what our country is doing to cope with it - there are more than 1.5 million children with autism in China. It is now a very serious education and health issue in the country.

Rehabilitation centers set up for children with autism are woefully inadequate throughout the world.

By bringing autism awareness to a global level, we will give it a voice for the millions of children who are misunderstood, abused and looking for help.

Autism has remained a mystery for researchers, neurologists and psychiatrists for centuries. Such awareness will help develop new strategies for children with the disorder.

Some children with mild autism will be able to grow up and take care of themselves. Those with more serious problems will always need some kind of help. But all children with the disorder face a brighter future when they have the support and understanding of doctors, teachers, caregivers, parents, brothers, sisters, and friends.

(China Daily 04/07/2008 page4)